Mr. Operator R.I.P.

We lost Mr. Operator today. Bernie found him lying by the base of one of the big trees. 

His nose was bloodied so it seems that he fell from the tree. Yes, it was Mr. Operator. We were able to identify him by his blind eye. 

 When we found him he was dead and getting stiff, but his body was still warm. What a big, beautiful squirrel he was! 

There was a terrible storm last night, with thunder and lightening and a fierce wind.  I can't help but wonder if it didn't somehow weaken him.   In the past I've thought that maybe he had arthritis, and perhaps the storm exacerbated it, causing him to lose his footing on the tree. It could also have been a fight with another squirrel that caused him to fall. 


It's  a shame that he made it through all the rough weather of the long winter, only to die at the break of spring, with the promise of good times in the air. 


In fact I had just recently blogged about Mr. Operator, and how he was already starting to enjoy the spring weather. 
http://thenewyorksquirrel.blogspot.com/2011/03/signs-of-spring-on-bowling-green.html

What a character!  And what a sad day for us, losing our old friend. 


I think we were meant to find him. We left him there under the hedges so his spirit could take its time leaving. 

Goodbye, Mr. Oppie!   

We will miss you.