In many online spaces especially social media you’ll find posts urging
people to “get rid of chipmunks.” They’re labeled as pests, blamed for garden
mischief, and dismissed as disposable. But in our yard, chipmunks aren’t a
problem. They’re part of the rhythm of the land.
We’ve never had damage from them. No chewed wires, no upturned beds. What
we do have is a daily routine: fresh water, critter food, and a garden that
welcomes wildlife. Chipmunks come and go, darting through the liriope grass,
nibbling at seeds, and adding a bit of joy to the day. They’re fun to watch curious,
quick, and full of personality. And when one of them needed help, we didn’t
hesitate.
It started as an ordinary day in the garden. I thought I’d latched the
side door securely, keeping our cat Hunter safely inside. But cats are clever,
and Hunter slipped out, darting into the woods. When he returned, he had
something in his mouth. At first glance, we thought it was a field mouse. But
then we saw a flicker of movement just enough to realize it was a chipmunk.
My husband acted quickly. He grabbed Hunter by the scruff while I gently
opened the cat’s mouth. Out came the chipmunk still breathing, but barely. We
feared internal injuries, but that faint movement gave us hope.
Without hesitation, my husband turned the chipmunk on its back and began
CPR. He applied gentle pressure to its chest, counting softly while rubbing its
heart to stimulate circulation. After a few careful rounds, the chipmunk’s
breathing began to improve.
We nestled him into our liriope grass garden a soft, shaded haven where
he could rest and recover. Twenty minutes passed. I checked on him, fearing the
worst. But when my husband gently stroked his head, the chipmunk turned toward
him. A few more strokes down his back, a tap on his tail and off he went,
scampering into the safety of the woods.
The next morning, he was back. That same chipmunk, nibbling on the
critter food we leave out for our backyard wildlife. Alive. Curious. Grateful,
perhaps.
We don’t see chipmunks as pests. We see them as neighbors. And when one
of them needed help, we gave it because every heartbeat matters, no matter how
small.
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