"Guest" in Swimming Pool

I couldn't resist sharing my morning with you all...

As I was leaving for work this morning I noticed something wrong in our swimming pool. A big, brown wad of something sticking out of the skimmer basket in the wall of the pool. As I got closer, I saw that the wad was FURRY. I was very sad for whatever got in there, but I also thought...OK...this is my limit...no WAY I'm cleaning a dead animal out of the pool. I'm calling Daddy!

I figured I should at least move whatever it was out of the skimmer basket, though, so I went in the garage and got a broom. I poked at the fur, and it didn't move. I poked a little harder...and it flinched.

Not having a clue what to do at this point, I went around to the skimmer, carefully got a hold of the lid, and jumped back as far as I could with the lid in my hand. A pair of little eyes stared up at me...blinked a time or two...then DARTED out of the skimmer and up a tree.

I don't think I'd seen that squirrel before (though it's hard to identify them when they're soaking wet), so I've named him "Splash". I don't know how he got in there. The only thing I can figure is that he fell out of the tree into the pool and tried to get out through the skimmer.

Poor fellow...I'm so glad he was still alive!!!

awww the poor baby. It was probably scared to death! Thank goodness you were there!

When I was young, the most tramatic thing I saw was a rabbit drowned in my grandmother's pool. I hope your little friend "Splash" keeps his little furry self out of the water.

He'd better stay out!! I might not always be able to rescue him!

Actually, I'm thinking that maybe I'll see if I can devise some sort of escape ramp to the deck that I can leave in there when we're not using the pool. Then if one of them gets in, they can at least get back out. We have four or five squirrels that live at our house (they have nests in our trees) and I'd hate to see anything happen to them.

Oh Tari, thank goodness you stopped to help the little guy out..........

Glad he survived, and you got to be the one to save him. Hopefully he wont "fall" in again, because next time he might not make it.

Awwww! Maybe he didnt fall in but was feeling a little hot and wanted to go for a swim!

But I am so glad that you were there to see it and that it is okay!

So glad he made it! My family has a pool with a little courtyard where bunnies like to nest. Sometimes, it has horrible results. They're very careful now, and check frequently for swimmers.

Tari, they do make things to put in a pool for safety in case a pet falls in. I think it would work for a squirrel, too. They are little floating ramps...maybe you could get one of those?

Originally Posted by white cat lover

Tari, they do make things to put in a pool for safety in case a pet falls in. I think it would work for a squirrel, too. They are little floating ramps...maybe you could get one of those?

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Thanks, Natalie!!! I just did a search for those and found one. It looks perfect, so I ordered it. It's a little plastic ramp that you attach to the side and it floats: http://handsnpaws.zoovy.com/product/FX2SKAHLTHSKR1 That ought to keep the little guys out of trouble!

Originally Posted by Tari

He'd better stay out!! I might not always be able to rescue him!

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how wonderful you saved him and that you have ordered a ramp. bravo!!

Poor little squirrly, I hope it is okay...Maybe he was going for a dip...It is hot out

Originally Posted by Tari

Thanks, Natalie!!! I just did a search for those and found one. It looks perfect, so I ordered it. It's a little plastic ramp that you attach to the side and it floats: http://handsnpaws.zoovy.com/product/FX2SKAHLTHSKR1 That ought to keep the little guys out of trouble!

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What a great idea!! Good for you Tari!