Chipmunk

Yesterday, when I was rebooting the laundry, I looked out the window and noticed my cat chasing something that was hopping through the yard.  It was too small for a rabbit and too small for a squirrel.  At first, I thought it was a mouse, but it seemed too big for that.  I went outside to see and it was this chipmunk.

Now, Alexander was an indoor kitty for most of his life.  His hunting instincts are intact, although he doesn't seem to know what to do with his finds.  In this case, just as I stepped into the yard, he grabbed it in his mouth and brought it to me.  The little guy seemed okay, just stunned.  I picked up Alexander and took him in the house while I returned to check on this little fellow.  His tail was a bit damaged, but otherwise, he seemed okay.  While he was recuperating, I ran back inside and grabbed my camera.

Back outside, I took several photos of him.  He was starting to stir and I wanted him to have a chance to recover and get away before I let the cat back out.  So, I just watched him for a while.  Early on, he just watched me warily.  Then, he jumped up and started scampering around.  Yay!  He scampered around my feet, then tried to climb the lamppost.  I was cheering him on when he took off running across my driveway, headed for a wooded area.

My joy was short-lived when an unfamiliar cat flashed by me, grabbed the chipmunk in his mouth, and hauled off his limp body in a matter of seconds. 

RIP furry little chipmunk...