Lil' Mustard

Loving little Mustard

There are really no words to describe the sublime bliss that arises when a baby squirrel has touched your heart.


A few mornings ago, I was putting food on the tray for Muffin and suddenly a squirrel name popped into my head. I heard,  
"Little Mustard".
And I knew in that instant that someone would be calling me to say they had found a baby squirrel. Sure enough, the very next morning, the phone rang and it was a man in south Austin who has a shoe store.  He said he had found a baby squirrel hiding under the tire of a car in the parking lot outside his shop.


All alone trying to stay warm.


Mo brought the baby squirrel right over and I met this little angel.  He was about 6 weeks old, a bit scared, but looked to be healthy.  I proceeded to make my organic milk formula so that he could have some warm nourishment once he settled in a bit.   Little Mustard was not very happy about the nipple I put on the syringe, which of course is not as soft as what he had been used to.... his own tender mama.  But on the second feeding he took in 3 cc and then at the next feeding he took in 6 cc.  He was peeing and pooping and loved to be cuddled.  I played some soft soothing flute music and gave him Reiki healing energy to soothe his little heart.


All cozy in my nightshirt.

And then I remembered that two weeks ago, I had gotten a message from my friend Sonia.  Her squirrel Natasha had gotten hit by a car on New Year's Day and she and her husband were still really sad about that. I told her that it was baby season and I would keep an eye open for one for her.   And I knew in my heart that this little one had come for her.
Oh my goodness.  My heart was being torn... can I really let you go, sweet angel?  I am already in love with you.


 Little Mustard cozy and warm.

I sent a chat message to Sonia, thinking she probably wouldn't see it right away.  But less than two minutes later, she called.  Yes, she was very interested and yes, she could come by anytime for him.  We set the time for the end of the next day so I could make sure he was pretty settled in his eating routine and more relaxed.

That night I experienced such a wave of emotion.  To feel the touch of a pure, helpless little baby squirrel definitely opens your heart wider than it was before.  Tears were streaming down my face with a profound love... a new depth of sweet love.  How can such a little soul provoke such profound devotion?  It is a squirrel mystery no doubt.
I was dreading having to give over this angel.  And yet, I knew this was meant to be.

When Sonia and her husband arrived, she excitedly told me about how she broke the good news to him.  
Sonia's words: 

"Mustard: I put mustard on a lot of things. Potato chips, fries, mac n cheese, and with grilled cheeses. So when I found out Lil Mustard needed a home I knew he'd be ours. I was excited to tell my husband, Yitzak, but wanted to do it in person. After work, I walked in the house, and casually questioned my husband 
"Babe, what's my favorite condiment?" 
"mustard. Why?"
Me: "isn't it a great coincidence that that's our new baby squirrel's name??!!!"
We both squealed and squeaked with excitement."

  And indeed Little Mustard was exactly where he was supposed to be! He taught me this:  
If you only have the faith of a mustard seed, you can say to the mountain, "Move!" and it will move.   


A new home for little' Mustard.

They were so happy to have this little one to love that my heart was soothed.  I prayed that Little Mustard would settle in nicely and not feel that I had abandoned him.
I slept well that night knowing he was in loving hands.

Then I received an email from Lisa at the shoe store, inquiring about the found baby.  I told her that I had placed him with Sonia and her husband. And I was pleasantly surprised at her reply.  Lisa told me that her sister Sonja had passed away in 1990 and it felt special to her that he ended up with someone with that name.



Mr.Nut beaming squirrelove.

Today Mr.Nut held my hand and confirmed that I had done the right thing.  He said, "There is no limit to squirrelove. It continues to expand and one day will include the entire planet. It's all just a matter of time."