Sri Sri Bankei Muffinheart

Bankei Muffinheart

Well, last you heard, Muffin had decided to live outside.  That lasted three days.  I was on a silent retreat in Portugal and my partner David was sitting for the squirrels at home.  Muffin was out and about in the neighborhood.  

On the third evening of my absence, David saw Muffin wandering in the street looking somewhat beleaguered. Upon trying to approach Muffin, he ran across the street over to the catladys' house.  Oh no.  A few hours later at suppertime, David went out the front door to change the water and who should be waiting for him but Muffin!  He looked tired and dehydrated.  Upon seeing David, Muffin jumped on him and obviously wanted to go back inside the house.  Muffin crawled into his own nest in his cage and took a long rest. That was the end of Muffin's outside adventures.  He is now a bonified inside resident.

Now if you know anything at all about Mr.Nut, you know he is considered the "Buddha of Gathright Cove".  When Muffin returned home, Mr.Nut took notice of this event and went into contemplation.  Just recently Mr.Nut let it be known that Muffin has also had a very important past life as a spiritual dignitary. Delving into the squirrelashic records, it was discovered the Muffin is no other than the famous Zen master Bankei.  
                                             

Teachings of Bankei


Anyways, after Mr.Nut goes outside first thing in the morning, Rosie is fed, and the outdoor squirrels and birds are provided for, Muffin and I read some of his original teachings as translated by Peter Haskel.  Here is a small taste of the squirreluminous nature of Bankei:

Where do you go?

A layman asked: "If you become a buddha,

                                         where do you go?"

The Master replied: "If you become a buddha, there's no place at all to go.  You fill the vast universe to its very limits.  It's when you become any other sort of being that there are different places to go."      

                                                                          (zenshu, p. 134)

                                                         

Adventures of Sir Muffington

Muffin enjoying his tree meditation.


A squirrel whisperer never knows how long a little squirrel will remain in her care.  Baby squirrels sometimes go through a lot of physical challenges even before they are brought to us.

My pal Muffin was one of three boy squirrels found under the hood of a student's car, parked at the St.Ed's campus here in Austin.  Luckily mama squirrel chewed the wires so the young lady couldn't drive her car away.  The car repairman found the nest just behind the left headlight.  Mama squirrels will do absolutely anything to keep their babies safe from predators and bad weather!!!

Nugget, Muffin and Buddins.

These happy little buddies grew fast and strong and all went well.  Then at about 5 months old, I had to switch up their diet.  Apparently the fresh corn started giving them problems.  Muffin was the most affected. He became paralyzed and cried out in pain.  The other two had a few muscle spasms, but not as serious as what was happening to Muffin.  I started insisting on them eating their greens first thing in the morning and Calcium supplementation daily.  Along with copious doses of Reiki healing energy, Muffin recovered in about a week's time, although he didn't wave his tail for another week after that!

Muffin on the mend.

So the boys grew up and it got time for their release...  By this time, Muffin didn't want anything to do with Nugget and Buddins.  I had separated him during this healing time and although he got well, he seemed to prefer his own company thereafter!
So Nugget and Buddins went outside in their release cage... that's when the raccoons started showing up!  I guess the smell of food in their cage lured them and one night there was a ruckus... a raccoon was seen and the two boys were gone! OMG.....
In another day or so, Buddins was back at the front door looking for food... and Nugget must have run further away.  Whether he is still around, I am not 100% sure, although I think I see him every now and then.

Buddins and Nugget sharing a moment during their release.

Then it was Muffin's turn to be released.  I started putting his cage outside and then noticed that his teeth were crooked.  Oh no... hopefully not a malocclusion!  I took him to the vet to have his teeth trimmed evenly so he could eat.  The vet said it wasn't a problem with his teeth, but his jaw was a little askew.  That's when I discovered that he was sleeping with his jaw against the cage.  Oh no Muffin... bad idea.  I put soft blankies along the inside of the cage in his bed and after that his jaw straightened out, his teeth grew in straight and he was able to do the trimming himself.  Whew! But waiting 6 weeks to see if he would need another trim put his release off again.  And then it was winter!  
In the meantime, Muffin was getting to be a real silly squirrel.  He liked to jump on me first thing in the morning and give me a little kiss on my cheek.  Then after some mandatory nut-burying, we would play "jump on the roly-poly purple monkey or pink bunny rabbit".  Muffin loved that game and loved to jump on me and run around the edge of the massage table which held his cage. 




And it seemed that as he got sillier, he got increasingly cuter! OMG!  I have never understood how a squirrel can wake up every morning cuter than he was the night before! Amazing! He was so cute that he made it to the 2014 Squirrels Of Wisdom Calendar!

Muffin's cuteness and fame grows!

As Muffin grew older, he also started wanting to run around more and sit in high places.  Often he would enjoy his perch on the draperies at the top of a window!   

Hanging out in high places.


 The main problem with squirrels is that the longer they live with you, the more you fall in love with them.  At this point I was head over heels in love with the Muffin man and I dreaded the day I would be putting him in the outdoor cage to get used to the neighborhood sounds and weather.  Nevertheless, Spring did arrive and it was Muffin's turn!
At first he would hide a lot under his blankies in the Zico box or high tail it into his nest box every time a person came to the front door or a dog barked.  It seemed he was spending more time hiding than running around in his new large enclosure.
Then after a few weeks, he started coming out of hiding and chasing after the visiting squirrels that jumped on the outside of his cage.  He was acclimating nicely.
Then he started wanting out of the big cage and that's the sign to open the door.
With an anxious heart, I opened the door for the Muffin man.  He was very curious and explored Rosie's cage and the feeder by the front door and then retreated to safety.  That happened two more times with him getting a little further afoot... even checking out the roof.

Checking out the roof and how to get back home.

Then one day he got all the way across the roof and jumped into the Chinaberry tree.  He looked like he was enjoying sitting in the tree just hanging out. What a sweet perch.  That same night I got a  friend to help me put his personal nest box right there next to his branch.  I thought that might give him a safe haven.  Well, that turned out to be wrong.
The next time he went out, he ran right over to that tree only to be accosted by another male. Oh no.  My poor Muffin!  I saw it happening and could do nothing about it.  It looked like a squirrel whirlwind in mid-air. By the time I got close enough, the fight was over and the bully took off. Muffin was there quivering and softly barking on a low branch that I was just inches away from.  I kept reaching to him, calling, "Cmon Muffin, jump on me... C'mon home now."
Then I thought he was going to climb on me, but instead he took a hard bite out of my finger! Poor Muffin was so worked up... at that moment I realized he was no baby anymore. He just had his initiation into the world of the wild squirrel. Bless his heart.
That night he stayed out and I prayed and prayed,
Oh God please guide him home if he needs help.
The next day Muffin came back and climbed into the big outdoor cage. He was still very worked up, but at least he was home. I closed him in and let him calm down and rest in safety.

  

Time to Rest!

Muffin had a gash on the back of his right shoulder and was favoring that arm. After he calmed down, I treated it with colloidal silver and gave him some fresh watermelon and grapes. He drank water with colloidal silver in it and then took a long nap. He slept off and on for the rest of the day and later I took him in the house and back to his cozy bed. He needed some TLC and R&R before facing the outdoors again!

Deep Rest and Healing for Muffin

So the next day, Muffin was a brand new squirrel! Amazing what a mama's love will do... not to mention the many friends sending their prayers and healing energy!

We are so grateful for that!

Muffin was as eager and excited to go back out into the world, but this time exploring in a new direction!  

Good on you Muffin! 

Wishing Muffin a wonderful and happy outdoor life!

A squirrel mama's love is FOREVER!

Time for a Rest!

Rosie Posie demonstrating REST.

Rosie Posie is teaching me all about rest.  When she stays out all night, she has to sleep with 'one eye open'.
After she's out one or two nights, she comes back for food, water, and to get a good sleep... without having to worry about predators!  Today she came home, had a hefty breakfast and lunch, ran around the house burying nuts, and then snuck into Mr.Nut's cozy cubby and conked out! Time for some serious snoozing!

Sleepy Rosie

What she made me realize is that unless a little squirrel has a well-built nest or safe nest box to sleep in, they have to be on guard at all times!  They have so many predators.... feral cats, raccoons, hawks and owls to name a few!  And this kind of vigilance can be exhausting!
This reminds me of what we humans go through in life... always being vigilant to run our lives:  maintaining a home, earning a living, making sure the bills are paid and the body is fed and kept healthy.  And taking care of our kids... human and animal!  We are also 'on the go' just like squirrels.  And we get exhausted too.

So that brings to mind the issue of TRUST.
Rosie can rest when she has TRUST that she is taken care of.  In the same way, we can only really experience true rest when we TRUST that we are taken care of.
Listen to Mooji as he talks about this very topic.  

A sweet reminder for me to TRUST that we are all

being taken care of. In the words of Rumi...

"Who looks out with my eyes? What is the soul? 
I cannot stop asking.
If I could taste one sip of an answer,
I could break out of this prison for drunks.
I didn’t come here of my own accord, and I can’t leave that way.
Whoever brought me here, will have to take me home." 

                                              

Rosie and  her guardian, Angel Scruffy

Smile and say "Pecans"!

Squirrel Photographer

I love this little buddy.  

Squirrel Faces of Freedom

Miss Scruffers aka Scruffy aka 'the Scrufster'

Meet little Scruffy... she's now a guardian angel.
And she keeps a loving eye on Rosie Posie who was just released to the great outdoors!

Rosie enjoying her freedom.

Ok.... let me tell it from the beginning.  Monday night we had a violent storm.. sudden wind gusts of 45 mph, pellet sized hail and flying tree limbs and leaves everywhere. My thought was... "I sure hope the outdoor squirrels are OK.

The next day I saw all of the outdoor gang and breathed a sigh of relief.  It wasn't until Wednesday afternoon, (I was almost out the door for a dentist appointment), when the phone rang. I didn't pick up, thinking it could take too much time, but I listened to the message:

St.Ed's police department was calling me to come pick up a little squirrel that a student rescued from a feral cat.
My thought was... "but what about the dental appointment."
Just then the phone rang again and I picked up... the dental office asked if they could re-schedule due to an emergency.   (Now that was definitely the hand of the Great Squirrel! WOW) I hung up the phone and 'high-tailed' it over to St.Ed's.

So upon picking up this poor little squirrel, I ask a lot of questions... where was she found... did you see a mama squirrel or other little ones? Is there a tree nearby with a nest?  The student that found her answered "No" to all the questions.  I sat outside and the police officer and I rode around to see if we could spot a mama looking for her lost darling.  No luck.

Then the dorm director said that there were a lot of tree limbs down from the storm the other night... right on the other side of the building where Scruffy was found.
Storm! OMG... that's it.
 The little squirrel was hurt in the storm, separated from its mom and was wandering on the ground.  A feral cat (of which there are many on campus) saw her and went after her.  Luckily, a student witnessed this and chased the cat away.  Then she put the little squirrel in a box and brought it to the police station on campus.

Scruffy trying to eat a pecan.

So I brought her home.  After warming her and giving some Reiki, I gave her some liquid nutrition, complete with acidophilus and vitamin E added. She slurped it down... probably hadn't eaten since before the storm (2 days ago).  I made a comfy bed for her and let her sleep.  She had 2 more feedings that same day and was peeing and pooping.  Her right eye was red and irritated, and she couldn't really use her right paw and leg. That's common with head injuries. I gave Reiki a few more times and we snuggled. I gave her little kisses and told her she would be fine. I tried not to get too attached... but it was too late...    I was smitten with squirrelove.

Meanwhile Rosie is being released... her cage has been outside with the doors closed (the first week) so she could get used to the weather, bird chirps, city noises, and lawnmowers, etc.  And this 2nd week we began to open the doors on her cage!  

How exciting is that!

On Thursday, Scruffy's 2nd day of recovery, she got hungrier and even ate a couple pecans. I got very hopeful because of her appetite and elimination system was working well.
Then late last night, she became uncomfortable... moving around trying to feel better.  I held her, tried to soothe her, but her internal injuries were having the upper hand.
I prayed for relief... and relief came.

This morning I woke up and went to the kitchen... I could swear I heard her rummaging around in her nest, nails scraping on the sides of the box.  I got her breakfast ready and uncovered her box... and there she lay.... totally at peace.

Relief had come. RIP little angel.

It's funny how we hear what we want to hear and
see what we want to see. I 'saw' her getting well and 
I 'heard' her this morning... funny how the mind works.
I hadn't known her for long and she was 
gone!  Her furry body was still warm 
and her face so serene.



Of course there would be a lovely burial
with flowers and incense and a large pecan
for her journey...




 I wrapped her gently in white tissues and placed
 her in the earth.  Then we sprinkled rose petals
on her, burned incense and sang Indian chants.
Then suddenly I couldn't sing anymore...
 it was as if I was silenced and told to wait.
 "Just be quiet and go inside" said my heart.

And then the message came:
"Rosie can now be fully released.  Scruffy will be
 her guardian angel, watching over her and
making sure she is safe during storms.
And Scruffy will warn her of any feral cats nearby!




And then I smiled... and I knew...
 "Squirrelove" is unconditional.
  

Squirrels Teach Non-Attachment

     Looks like Mr.Nut found my green marker.

I've been cleaning my treatment room where I do Reiki sessions and I found so many pecans hidden there;  behind books, in the corners, under the table, and even inside the crystal geodes.

There are also chew marks on furniture, drapery hooks on the floor, and little squirrel poopies in the carpet.

Most people would be disgusted and upset if they found their room like this.  But I have found that if you have a squirrel in 

your life, you are destined to learn non-attachment.

Muffin is stashing nuts again.

Squirrels know that everything is passing… they don't worry about the weather OR how much food they have stores OR whether the neighbor's cat is going to lunge at them.  They just keep moving in peace and equanimity. They truly are enlightened beings.  They are not doing anything to "get to you"!  They are simply being their natural selves!

I used to be so picky about my material possessions… now after 11 years of living with squirrels…  all that has changed. I found out that all the "stuff" just doesn't matter because it's just "stuff".  The squirrels have taught me that only LOVE is real.

A trail buddy demonstrating how to let go.

I am so grateful for these little buddhas who have chosen me as their student.  I bow down to the ONE LOVE that lives in every one of us!  

Muffin occasionally astral travels to Japan.

Squirrel Puja

Sri Nut Ji assisting with a Puja ceremony in India

Today, Mr.Nut finally told me why he keeps insisting on burying nuts on my altar. He said that all buddha squirrels have the dharma to protect and raise consciousness. In order to do that, all buddha squirrels perform "Puja" ceremonies.

A Puja ceremony is a ritual that is an expression of honor and devotion to a deity or group of deities. Mr.Nut told me that, as a squirrel-buddha, it is his duty to honor the Great Squirrel Heart that oversees the entire Cosmos. To do this, he selects the best pecans and places them on my altar. My altar has many pictures of enlightened beings... some of which are: Jesus, Paramahansa Yogananda, Mother Meera, Sri Ammabhagavan, and Byron Katie.  Mr. Nut says that all these beings are part of the One Squirrel Heart and so it is fitting and proper that he places nuts there under their photos.

During the last couple of weeks while I was recovering from viral meningitis, Mr.Nut knocked over a large vase of flowers on my altar and made a huge mess. Everything got soaken wet (including Mr.Nut)!  I scolded him for making more work for me to clean up when I was hurting so bad.  He then climbed up to the bookshelf and lay there like a hurt little child. Of course I immediately felt bad.  I had gotten angry with him before I knew his motive!  So I apologized to him for my ignorance and asked for his forgiveness. 

So the point of all this is... before you get upset with your squirrel for doing some behavior you can't understand, just know that he had a very good reason that you're just not aware of!  But if you hold back your judgement and ask him calmly about his actions, he will enlighten you! 

Long Live the Buddha Squirrels!

~OM OM Sri Nut Ji OM OM~ 

Can you find the pecan on the altar? 

Every Time I See A Squirrel I Fall In Love Again!

Rosie and mom sharing a morning kiss.

Little Rosie Posie came to live with me at the beginning of this month.  A little puppy found her in my friend's backyard.  She had fallen from her nest and no mama squirrel retrieved her. So.... off to the Squirrelady's house!

How do you know you need a baby squirrel?  They just show up in perfect timing.  It usually happens when you are starting to lose your sense of humor... things are getting you down and you start taking life too seriously!  Voila! A baby squirrel comes to save the day!

Rosie Posie has renewed my faith, put a smile on my face, and poured squirrel love into my heart!  I am so grateful to the "Squirrels Above" for sending her to me!  And to Rosie Posie I dedicate this song!  I sent my song to my very good friend and squirrel mystic, Den Lilla Ekorren and he made the most beautiful music video! So much gratitude for his amazing generosity and musical genius!  
The little squirrel featured is Miss Nubbins! 
Watch it and experience Squirrelove!
(The words are below so you can sing along!)

Every time I see a squirrel I fall in love again
I don't know when it started,
But I hope it never ends.
There's nothin' like a baby squirrel to touch you deep inside.
It takes them but a moment
To erase the tears you've cried!

Every time I see a squirrel I fall in love again

I don't know how it started,

But I pray it never ends.

A baby squirrel can touch your heart 

In ways you never knew

They open up a magic door to love that's pure and true.

Every time I see a squirrel I fall in love again,

I don't know when it started,

But I hope it never ends.

I think that squirrels live close to God

and come to guide our way

And when we think that God has gone, a visit they will pay!

Every time I see a squirrel I fall in love again

I don't know when it started,

But I pray it never ends.

I love the squirrels with all my heart

To some that seems absurd

But once you've tasted Squirrelove, your troubles are all cured.

Every time I see a squirrel I fall in love again

I don't know how it started

and I don't want it to end

I pray the Lord will keep them safe

And free from needless pain

And when my time on earth is done, I'll see them all again!

Every time I see a squirrel I fall in love again

I don't know when it started

and I pray it never ends

For once a little squirrel has made

A home inside your heart

You find out you and God are One and never been apart!

Every time I see a squirrel I fall in love again

I don't know when it started

And I don't think it will end.

There's nothin' like a baby squirrel to wipe your tears away

and though they're here so short a time

They're in your heart to stay!

Every time I see a squirrel I fall in love... again!!

The Destiny of A Squirrel

Mr.Nut is encouraging me to write a post to explain what the squirrels' mission on earth is all about.  Mr.Nut tells me that all squirrels are connected by the great squirrel morphogenic field and they communicate telepathically to each other to get things done.  They may perform various tasks in peoples' lives, but their main objective is to open hearts.

Most often a little squirrel will show up in the life of someone who has just lost a loved one, possibly a spouse or a child.  A squirrel's timing is impeccable in these matters.  They help the bereaved to not lose hope and to soothe their hearts. These little squirrels help them to smile again. Such is the power of a squirrel's love!

Mr.Nut ~ Fully Enlightened Guru

When orphaned baby squirrels are found, most often they are rescued, rehabbed and released back into the wild.  It is a tough world out there for these little ones and they have to be very careful about predators and cars!  Sometimes it happens that a squirrel is brain damaged or blind or perhaps missing a limb that would preclude it from being able to survive outdoors.  These squirrels are "non-releasables". And finally, every once in a great while you find a squirrel that just doesn't want to live outside! They may scratch through a window screen or just refuse to go anywhere! But no matter the situation, one thing is certain:  that little squirrel is in their human's life for one reason!  To love and be loved! 

Now... take Twiggy the water-skiing squirrel!  Twiggy has been delighting crowds of people for many years!  She performs mainly at boat shows and hunting venues.  And what a great opportunity to make a heart connection to the children!  Once the children fall in love with Twiggy, do you think they would let their dads go squirrel hunting? .... not a chance!!!  

But most people don't realize that Twiggy helped her caregiver overcome her grief when her husband died in a drowning accident! Twiggy's relationship to Lou Ann is a true friend and ally!  Watch this amazing video and witness love in action!  What a beautiful teacher! And what a great way to raise the consciousness of humans to cherish our beloved little squirrels!  

 

Whether a baby squirrel makes it into the limelight or not, the main thing is that these precious angels pop in when needed! They are teachers of wisdom, and ambassadors of peace and love!   Next time you see a squirrel, please remember to thank him for all the wonderful things he does for humanity!

Squirrel of my Heart

Miss Nubbins resting during the release process

Did I tell you that I love Miss Nubbins?
She is the squirrel of my heart.

Miss Nubbins came to me late last summer
 and I knew she was coming...
The day before, I heard a name in my head. "Nubbins" the voice said.  And I knew that was the perfect name for a squirrel.  And then I thought.... oh no... I can't take in another squirrel right now... I've already got my hands full.

The next day, a fellow in south Austin phoned me up and said he found a baby squirrel lying on his driveway.
He brought her over and I sighed... Ah! Miss Nubbins!

Baby Nubbins

She was a sweet angel from the very beginning.
Somehow the squirrel gods just know what you need.
She was always a wild one...
very independent and fearless.
Her heart would race sometimes and she seemed extra hyper.  She would run off and bump into walls.  I wasn't sure if she had a brain injury or not.  Time would tell.

Little Nubbins

Then when she was a little older, she started losing hair on her tail.  Oh no!  I wondered if she had a nervous condition or an adrenal problem.  Then one day, a friend of mine told me how her cat used to pull out her own hair.  So I began to pay closer attention to my little girl.
OMG...  one day I caught her pulling out her tail hair!
So I began to apply lavender oil once a day. The scent of the oil did two things. It kept her from putting her tail in her mouth, and the lavender also relaxed her.

Look mom... no tail hair! 


Then little by little her hair grew back. She enjoyed being out of the cage and running on me, her personal tree, once a day so I could apply the oil.  She just loved to run all over me... and I loved it too!
And her tail got very bushy and beautiful! 

Beautiful Tail!

Even though she didn't need the lavender oil, I let her have her daily run on her "mama tree".  She would run on me as I made the bed each morning and she became my little helper! 

Sweet little girl

Then after Queen Earl crossed over in January,  

I was able to give Miss Nubbins what she really needed.. more space!  I increased the height of her cage by three!  Now she could really run up and down and all around!  

And she would rarely lay still!  She had more energy than all my other squirrels put together!

As the winter drew to a close and Miss Nubbins grew older and longer, I knew it would soon be time for her release.

Yes, it is an awesome thing to release these little squirrels so they can have a normal squirrel life, 

but it is so difficult to say goodbye to a squirrel child one has nurtured and loved from infancy. 

It is not easy to be a human squirrel mother.  We are at a disadvantage, not knowing how to climb trees and build nests.  And when they move out, we really never know where they build their new homes.

Outside on the porch

So when the time came, I wheeled Miss Nubbins' cage outside and placed it right next to Mr.Nut's cage.  After about a week of letting her get used to the outdoor sounds, I opened the door on her cage.

To my utter surprise and delight, 

Miss Nubbins stayed close to me and Mr.Nut for the whole first month she was "free"!

She would run on the roof, but always come running back home. She liked to run in the grass and bury nuts. She loved to jump on me and even liked to hitch a ride inside the house.  She continued to help me make my bed each morning!  I felt so blessed to be her mom!

Then one day she made that leap off the roof into the neighbor's tree. I knew that would be the start of her real independence: I was happy for her and somewhat teary-eyed that my girl was indeed growing up!

Miss Nubbins enjoying her squirrel life

I was so grateful that she took it slow and that we got to spend so much time together!  I truly feel her love and appreciation.  And I know that she knows she can always come to me if she needs help.

Nowadays, Miss Nubbins drops by unexpectedly... sometimes in the morning and sometimes at sunset.

But no matter when, she is always welcomed with nuts, fruit and lots of squirrelove! 

What could be better than that?

I love you Miss Nubbins!