from the new west blog: the little things

When Real Life Gets in the Way

By Jill Kuraitis, 10-02-08

The economy is in upheaval, the presidential election is weeks away, the V.P. debate is tonight - for political writers, right now is the big time. 

But last evening, an orphaned squirrel named Zeus hung from our backyard tree, screaming his little rodent head off, and it seemed important to help him. 

We’ve rescued all sorts of wildlife over our 21 years in the neighborhood, and know the local wildlife rehabbers, but it was too late to take Zeus to one of them last night.  So, internet to the rescue, we did the prescribed thing until we got him to Toni, the Squirrel Lady of Boise’s North End, today.

But last night was interesting, as I set my alarm for every three hours to feed Zeus and warm up his heating pad. In the middle of the night, the tiny squirrel and I bonded over puppy formula and the warm collar of my fleecy robe, and it was good.

Give the choice between combing the news for a New West roundup and saving Zeus, I went for the little guy, and rediscovered real life.  What a relief - if only a temporary one.

Over the next weeks, as we fret over the election, I intend to remember Zeus.

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