Thursday, March 12, 2009

Inspired !

This morning when I read Renie's blog, I was inspired to write this event in my life.
My husband and I lived on the outskirts of Huntsville. We had 2 acreas, an Apple orchard and the best soil I have ever seen.
I had 5 or 6 flower beds and a beautiful veggie garden. I had a neighbor right by my veggie garden, his name was Mr. Groundhog. Everyday when I went out to look at my garden, Mr. Groundhog would stick his head out of his hole in the ground to see what I was doing.
So when I would go back in the house I watched him at the back door.
Out he would come and get a big tomato and sit right there in my garden and stand on his hind legs and eat that tomato.

Shortly after that I would bring out a low stool and sit a ways from where he was eating
and talk to him in a low gentle voice. I did this for 6 months getting closer each time, still talking to him, he would turn his head and look at me after I had been doing that for several months. One day I ventured right up to him and offered him the tomato that was in my hand.
He reaced out and took it from my hand !!!!!!! he did not run away but, sat there and ate it right by my side. I guess it doesn't take much to thrill me, but I was so thrilled I ran in the house and told my husband. He understood because he loves critters, too.
I have a picture of him eating on of my tomatoes. The next Spring I planted two more tomato plant just for him.

13 comments:

Patty said...

What a cute story. We had some baby rabbits we started feeding small cookies to. And they would come right up and almost take them from our hands. That's also when we realized how many fleas a rabbit has. We had a n ice day on Tuesday, but it turned cold Tuesday night and it's still cold, right now at almost 2:30 it's a high of 33. Have a great week-end.

Denise said...

Aw...we would have loved that too. We used to throw our fruits and veggie scraps out back for a great big groundhog that lived under our shed. It was so fun watching him eat his goodies.

Have a great day, DEnise

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Lesli,

Groundhogs are cute, too. They remind of of a teddy bear, sort of. You were lucky Mr. Groundhog didn't consume your entire garden! I've heard that they sometimes do.

I enjoyed your story, and I love critters as well. Got raccoons and opossums out there just about every night. One possum takes hot dogs out of my hand.

Hope you didn't get any winter stuff today. It missed us, thank goodness. Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs,

Renie

Loida of the 2L3B's said...

Dear Ms. Leslie,
Hope to see you while the groundhog is eating your tomato. Aren't they wild? It's amazing how they come to you and not get scared.
Have a nice and safe weekend ahead..

cherokeefox said...

I have never seen a groundhog in real life except me! I was born Feb 2nd. When I was a child, there was a man down the road that had a squirrel that would come right up to you. I always love animal stories...

cherokeefox said...

I just had to let you know...the last v word was "dummiter"...

Unknown said...

That is a great story about the Groundhog, really enjoy reading your experinces with the critter..

Back in 1985 I once had a dog who brought me gifts and one day it was a baby groundhog of all things!

I kept that groundhog until she was mature enough to care for herself and release her back to the wilds with the help of the forest ranger and the wild life veterinary.

Wow I hadn't thought about this in years! Thank you for bringing back some of my own memories too.

Unknown said...

Thank you for popping on over and checking out my blog and you are most welcome to joined on in with following my blog too! :) I also just signed up to follow your blog as well...What a wonderful interesting blog you have here...I also like your custom Blog background too.

Talin HG said...

What an awesome story.

Liz said...

That is so cute Leslie. The only friendly I have as you know is the Terrorist. She got a piece of bread tonight not an entire loaf.LOL! It's amazing how with patience and a quiet approach you can gain a creatures trust. Love it.

Love and hugs
Liz

Unknown said...

Hi LEslie

been reading a while but not commenting running short of time lately but that is the best story you must post that photo - sad to say this Australian has no idea what a groundhog looks like - thinking it is like an overgrown guinea pig??

daisymum

Leslie Rubio said...

You're lucky the grounhog only ate few tomatoes...we had a groundhog last year...big as a large dog that ate our garden bare. We even tried putting up a fence and he just rammed right through it. We're hoping to keep him out this year with stronger fencing.

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

I love this story!!!!