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Psycho Squirrels

September 1, 2010 by Julie 67 Comments

If you follow my blog with any regularity, you know I am a huge animal lover.

I adore nearly every animal with the exception of two creatures: Catfish and squirrels.

You may be thinking, “You’re crazy, Julie. Squirrels are adorable.”

"Would You Like a Bite?"

Yes they are cute. But they are also unpredictable, beady-eyed and a little too friendly at times.

Ninja Squirrel!

I suppose I should explain my issue with squirrels.

During college I worked as a campus tour guide for UCF. I would take prospective students and their parents around campus, highlighting important buildings and answering questions.

One time a father asked me what I disliked the most about UCF.

I answered, “The squirrels.” He laughed and asked me why. I explained that the squirrels were crazy and would stalk you for food since they were overfed by the students.

About 30 minutes later, we were walking by one of the dorms on campus and we heard a chirping noise. As we all looked up to see what was causing the commotion, a squirrel came falling down right in the middle of our tour group.

Eeeeeee!

I took off running as the same dad I previously talked to about squirrels screamed the f-word nice and loud.

Once we all reconvened, the dad said, “Man, you weren’t kidding about the squirrels on this campus, were you?”

No sir.

(Just FYI, the squirrel was okay and got up and ran away after about two seconds of lying on the ground, stunned.)

Well, today my issue with the unpredictability of squirrels was reinforced yet again on my morning walk with Sadie.

It must be mating season, because all of the squirrels around the lake by our apartment are coupled up and acting especially nutty.

About 20 minutes into our walk, Sadie and I passed a tall tree. Two squirrels were chasing each other around the trunk and as they came off the trunk to cross the side walk, they literally scurried underneath Sadie’s torso.

I thought my dog was going to pee herself on the spot.

I screamed, the woman behind us jumped about three feet in the air and Sadie, once she got over the shock, jumped around in front of me like it was Christmas.

Breakfast

Holy squirrel overload! Let’s move on to breakfast, shall we?

Wednesday Breakfast

Though not as exciting as the possibly rabid squirrels, breakfast was pretty darn delicious.

Today I made myself a yogurt bowl that included:

  • Cold oatmeal
  • Greek yogurt
  • Granny Smith apple chunks
  • Sliced strawberries

Take a Bite!

The tart apples made this dish.

I can’t wait to make my first apple pie when the air gets a little cooler!

Question of the Morning

  • Are there any animals that make you feel a little uncomfortable?

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: breakfast, Granny Smith, greek yogurt, oatmeal, squirrels

About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

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Comments

  1. Jessica @ How Sweet says

    September 1, 2010 at 10:01 am

    I don’t really like many animals (except dogs) but squirrels make me ueasy too. So do cats!

    Reply
  2. Emily says

    September 1, 2010 at 10:02 am

    I, too, hate squirrels. And yes, I use “hate” strongly here. And pretty much for the same reason – they were always on campus at ECU and I was afraid they’d fall on my head.

    Reply
  3. Courtney @ Ice Cream & Wine says

    September 1, 2010 at 10:05 am

    Squirrels for sure! My husbands always points them out to me for a good laugh. There was also a problem at University of Nebraska, where I attended undergrad. They seriously freaked me out. Ew.

    Reply
    • Chaaron says

      September 1, 2010 at 11:20 am

      I also went to the University of Nebraska and I swear that I never noticed a squirrel problem! I do, however, think they are cute, so that probably explains it! I am comfortable with all mammals that I’ve met so far. I really dislike geese and turkeys!

      Reply
  4. silvershadow157 says

    September 1, 2010 at 10:05 am

    Spiders and any kind of reptiles…I like my animals fluffy, not scaly

    Reply
  5. Katie says

    September 1, 2010 at 10:09 am

    That’s hysterical! I laughed out loud reading this! 🙂

    My boyfriend wants to get a ferret. He read they are like cats – my first true love – but I can’t help think they remind me of RATS. It’s my new animal fear. I’m also deathly afraid of frogs.

    Reply
  6. erinsloves says

    September 1, 2010 at 10:11 am

    Not really an animal- but I am TERRIFIED of praying mantis(s). I had no idea how to even spell that I had to look it up ..hehe.. but seriously those things are the most freaky things in the world!!

    Reply
  7. Heather (Heather's Dish) says

    September 1, 2010 at 10:14 am

    i don’t really love birds…they are kind of weird and i don’t feel comfortable at all around them!

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      September 1, 2010 at 10:15 am

      my grandma’s the same way. she had a chicken fly in her hair & get caught when she was younger & has been scarred ever since!

      Reply
  8. Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) says

    September 1, 2010 at 10:16 am

    Koda & I had a couple squirrel encounters on our wog this morning, too!

    But the grey squirrel is the state animal of NC, so there isn’t much I can do about it. What an awesome state animal to have, right? HA.

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      September 1, 2010 at 11:51 am

      The squirrel is our state animal? Seriously??

      Reply
  9. Lizzy @ LBBakes says

    September 1, 2010 at 10:17 am

    I HATE pigeons! Just spend some time in NYC and you will hate them too. They have no sense of direction, I swear. I dodged a pigeon just about everyday when I worked in NYC. Squirrels are nothing compared to gosh darn pigeons! Whew, I just got a little worked up. 🙂

    Reply
  10. gingerbreadcake says

    September 1, 2010 at 10:20 am

    I love squirrels. 🙂
    Ok don’t laugh but I’m TERRIFIED of butterflies.

    Reply
  11. Emily says

    September 1, 2010 at 10:21 am

    This is SO funny. I think squirrels on all college campuses are just nut jobs. I go to Clemson in SC and lemme tell you, squirrels approach you as if you’re one of them. It’s so odd because I grew up in the North and in somewhat of a foresty area and squirrels don’t come near you. It must just be that college atmosphere haha.
    But my roommate and I were walking into the library this morning (yup, I’m still here, be jealous) and there was one dancing around the garbage can by the stairs and we swiftly walked nearby. And it stared at us…and looked ready to pounce. Needless to say we had the same exact discussion a couple of hours ago about how scary these animals are….they rival cats in my opinion 🙂

    Reply
  12. Gracie says

    September 1, 2010 at 10:34 am

    BAHAHAH….I literally LOLed at this post. Squirrels are seriously creepy!

    I despise SLOTHS. They gross/creep me out to no end!!

    Reply
  13. Brittany says

    September 1, 2010 at 10:43 am

    Oh my gosh, your squirrel experiences are too funny! They are very unpredictable lil guys.

    I hate geese. And apparently the feeling is mutual, as they have run after me and attacked me 4 times this summer while I have been running by them, minding my own business. They hiss, I start sprinting, and they proceed to run after me, flapping their wings and snapping their beaks within mere inches of me, even after I am out of their “territory.” Pure hatred of geese.

    Reply
  14. Holly B says

    September 1, 2010 at 10:47 am

    hilarious story! any idea if the kid ended up enrolling?

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      September 1, 2010 at 10:53 am

      haha i have no idea!

      Reply
  15. Amber K says

    September 1, 2010 at 10:56 am

    Cats – I break out in bad rashes from being around them and so I’ve avoided them as much as I can.

    But this has also led me to be extremely uncomfortable around them. I never know if they will be nice, mean, friendly, hissy…they are just so unpredictable!

    Reply
  16. coffeeismycarrot says

    September 1, 2010 at 11:03 am

    I love squirrels! I am that person that will cause a 10 car pile up to slam on the breaks and keep from running one over. They are very unpredictable though and will change direction right in the middle of the street making it near impossible to miss them. I’m convinced they have a death wish.

    I hate snakes. They freak me out moving around with no legs. It’s just not right.

    Reply
  17. Alex says

    September 1, 2010 at 11:05 am

    Squirrels creep me out too! At my university campus, there are tons of them and they’re all super bold and have no fear! They run around all day jumping out and scaring people, and eating from garbage cans and trying to get into people’s house. It got so bad the my housemates and I had to keep our stinky garbage in our tiny apartment and close our windows in the summer because they chewed through our screens twice and got into the apartment! They’re definitely a nuisance! Or like Carrie Bradshaw says, they’re just rats with cuter outfits 😛

    Reply
  18. Natalie says

    September 1, 2010 at 11:11 am

    Ack…birds! Mostly seagulls and geese…just too unpredictable and bold for my liking. (i.e. a deep fear that a gull will peck my eyes out for my french fry)

    Reply
  19. Kaleigh says

    September 1, 2010 at 11:17 am

    Hi Julie,
    I have been reading your blog for a while now, and have not posted a lot, but I enjoy checking in on you everyday. Anyways, I was watching the show Unwrapped on Food Network last night. There is a store in Phoenix that is called PB Loco. They sell an obscene amount of different flavored peanut butters. The store made me think of you 🙂 Just thought I’d let you know as you are p.b. LOCO! Have a great day!

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      September 1, 2010 at 11:21 am

      thanks so much for thinking of me kaleigh! off to check out this pb loco stuff you speak of! yummm.

      Reply
  20. Anna says

    September 1, 2010 at 11:44 am

    Catfish and Squirrels…LOL LOL Ahhh, that cracks me up, I don’t know why 🙂

    I hate roaches…also, ducks freak me out. I think they’re cute, but I don’t like it when they swarm at a duck park…I feel like they’re all about to attack me!

    Reply
  21. Jean@RoastedRootsandPumpkinSpice says

    September 1, 2010 at 11:49 am

    Oh geez, that would make me hate squirrels too.

    I wrote a post about this on my blog but I DESPISE birds, especially pigeons! I freak out everytime they come flying at me.. which is often.

    Reply
  22. cardiopizza says

    September 1, 2010 at 11:50 am

    I think squirrels are crazy as well! I always feel like they’re going run right at me when I am jogging around the neighborhood.

    My dogs also jump around when they see squirrels lol!

    Reply
  23. Marina says

    September 1, 2010 at 11:51 am

    Squirrels are so cute, but they would probably annoy me too, if I had experiences like that 🙂
    Well, I hate bugs.
    Since I’m a veterinary medicine student, I really have to be comfortable around all animals

    Reply
  24. Sara says

    September 1, 2010 at 11:52 am

    Ha ha, that so funny about the squirrels. I don’t think we have many squirrels out here in AZ. I’m not a huge fan of pigeons. I don’t like the noise they make or how they always cluster around looking for food.

    Reply
  25. Dana says

    September 1, 2010 at 12:05 pm

    *Not proud of this* but, this morning on the NY subway, I pretended to not have a napkin or tissue so that I wouldn’t have to kill a GIANT bug. Do they even get to count as animals?? Then, for the rest of the train ride I couldn’t blow my nose, because that would give away that I had tissues the whole time. Sad, indeed.

    Reply
  26. Sammi says

    September 1, 2010 at 12:17 pm

    Squirrels are so cute!!! The ones at my college (in Sarasota) were suicidal. They jumped in front of cars all the time.. I swear everyday there would be roadkill squirrels outside 🙁

    I’m terrified of snakes. Any sort of reptile makes me uneasy actually.. ugh

    Reply
  27. Jenny says

    September 1, 2010 at 12:17 pm

    There’s really no animal that freaks me out- but I do have a funny squirrel story.

    When I was in high school, somehow my DAD, brought a damn baby squirrel in the house (I guess it had gotten hurt doing what squirrels do? Who knows.) ANYWAY, yeah- so here’s this squirrel in our HOUSE! I think my Dad wanted to make sure it was OK before letting it outside again….

    My memory is a little hazy on the two whole days that thing was in the house, but I do remember one morning- that bi**h crawled up my bed comforter and latched onto my chest and tried to bite me!!

    I was so pissed off, I threw him off and he thudded to the floor (whatever. he deserved it). Did that deter him? Oh,no- he simply climbed back up (leapt is the most appropriate term) and started biting again.

    I grabbed that sucker by its furry body and walked into my parents room and started crying, asking why we had a damn squirrel in our house and exclaimed we needed to get rid of it.

    LOL.

    I know. This sounds too absurd to be true. But it is. I promise you me and my family do NOT welcome wildlife into our homes on a regular basis. I think it was a one-time “do gooder” thing. HAHA!!!

    Reply
  28. Kelly says

    September 1, 2010 at 12:19 pm

    Haha squirrels are insane. Yesterday one ran straight at my car in the middle of the road, we both stopped and sat there staring at each other.

    Reply
  29. Missy Maintains says

    September 1, 2010 at 12:39 pm

    Haha love this story. I hate squirrels because they remind me of rats and mice! I have a huge huge phobia. Maybe because a mouse crawled on my leg in a movie theatre!!!!

    Reply
  30. Rika says

    September 1, 2010 at 12:56 pm

    I don’t really like birds. They’re not friendly or lovable at all! AND they poop and pee at the same time- grooooss.

    Reply
  31. Maribeth says

    September 1, 2010 at 1:02 pm

    I literally LOL-ed at your squirrel stories! When I am walking with my dog, all of a sudden he will try to sprint to the nearest squirrel, almost taking me out! Squirrels are nuts and I’d rather they stay away, haha.

    Reply
  32. jenny says

    September 1, 2010 at 1:04 pm

    i laughed out loud when i read the dad’s response. too funny!!

    Reply
  33. Amanda @ My Switch to Scrubs says

    September 1, 2010 at 1:04 pm

    Geese!!! I went to college on a campus surrounded by geese, and one day a mother goose was protecting her eggs and I must have walked too close to it on my way to class. The mother goose jumped up on my shoulders, started pecking at my head, and flapping it’s wings like crazy. Scariest/most embarrassing moment of my entire life!

    Reply
  34. Sarah says

    September 1, 2010 at 1:20 pm

    I dislike squirrels too…that’s so funny. Last week I brought my son inside to play because I swore one was going to attack us in the front yard. It was bouncing and squealing at me. Another time when my son was an infant one ran into the garage and was running all over my car while I was holding him with a blanket over him! I am not a fan!

    Reply
  35. Jenna says

    September 1, 2010 at 1:20 pm

    Eww they were all over FSU when I was a student. I hate squirrels too! No part of me find them cute lol.

    Reply
  36. Christina @ Food.Fun.Fabulous says

    September 1, 2010 at 1:34 pm

    haha that is such a funny story! there were a ton of squirrels around WPI’s campus too. One time a squirrel came into my apt thru the window and sniffed my cat who was sleeping then ran back out!

    Reply
  37. Abby says

    September 1, 2010 at 1:37 pm

    There is a car that’s always parked just down the street from out house….windows always down…. The other day i drove by and there were two squirrels jumping in and out of it. I couldn’t help but think what those people’s reactions are going to be when they’re driving down the street and a squirrel attacks them from the backseat 🙂

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      September 1, 2010 at 4:40 pm

      eek!

      Reply
  38. hotdot24 says

    September 1, 2010 at 2:30 pm

    TOO FUNNY about the squirrels, I’m laughing out loud!!! I love animals too. I’m usually a little weary of touching rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, anything rodent-like, because I really don’t trust that they won’t bite unexpectedly! I owned a bunny when I was younger, and he was great, loved me, I loved him–but he was evil bunny towards my sister! He would bite her and pee on her…while loving the rest of the family!

    Reply
  39. janetha g. says

    September 1, 2010 at 3:04 pm

    hahah.. this post had me cracking up! i never thought of squirrels in such a way. spiders creep me out, are they considered animals?

    Reply
  40. erica says

    September 1, 2010 at 3:05 pm

    squirrels! i encountered a pair at our hotel shuttle stop in orlando…they literally stalked us for our breakfast bars and felt like they were chasing us and were very bold and came super close. we felt stupid for running away from such a tiny thing but we were freaked out! hahahaha.

    Reply
  41. Lissy says

    September 1, 2010 at 3:05 pm

    dude! I wrote a song about evil squirrels in HS! No, really, I did! http://silvercpu.com/etcfiles/evilsquirrels.wmv

    Reply
  42. Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl says

    September 1, 2010 at 3:22 pm

    I worked in the Dean’s office in college so I was always out running errands. I was walking right in front of the Admin building when a squirrel popped straight up out of one of the deep campus trash cans…so I screamed. Loud. High-pitched… And ducked. (???) Natural reaction I guess? Yeah…squirrels and I don’t get along.

    Reply
  43. Tina says

    September 1, 2010 at 3:41 pm

    I am cracking up at your story! I can’t think of any animal I freak over besides insects.

    Reply
  44. Lauren says

    September 1, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    A few months ago, I was riding my bike and a squirrel ran out in front of me. I didn’t have time to react and ran over it(on accident of course!) with my front tire. The thing shot up and got STUCK in between my clip in shoes and pedal. I have never been so horrified in my life! You better believe I brake for squirrels now 🙂

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      September 1, 2010 at 4:40 pm

      omg!!!!

      Reply
  45. Sarah says

    September 1, 2010 at 4:51 pm

    i really don’t like rodents. squirrels, chipmunks, hamsters, etc. YUCK. snakes i can handle. but rodents? ewww! and ps squirrels on college campuses are ridiculously crazy!

    Reply
  46. spokesnoats says

    September 1, 2010 at 6:44 pm

    I was running at night one time and a skunk scurried out from the tall grass on the side of the road. It crossed so close in front of me that it nearly ran over my toes. It scared me half to death. Thank goodness I didn’t get sprayed!.

    Reply
  47. Leslie says

    September 1, 2010 at 8:15 pm

    Your squirrel post almost made me pee my pants! Soooo funny!

    Reply
  48. pursuitofhealthfulness says

    September 1, 2010 at 9:04 pm

    Black squirrels are my second favorite type of animal… Just don’t ask me to explain that!

    Reply
  49. Madeline says

    September 1, 2010 at 10:45 pm

    I am afraid of birds, and i’m not ashamed at all. What’s worse, they can sense my fear. Once, I was jogging home from a swim practice, earbuds in. As I was rocking out to something awesome (probably Britney…), I felt a breeze close to my ear. I turned around to see a HUGE BLACK BIRD TRYING TO MATE WITH MY WET PONYTAIL! I screamed and the rest is a blur. I think that warrants fear/a permanent feeling of paranoia around all birds. Plus, don’t their sharp neck movements and creepy eyes weird anyone else out?

    Reply
  50. Barbara says

    September 4, 2010 at 4:06 pm

    I will never look or think about a Squirrel the same again, after my friend informed me that they are infact, little more than Rats with a fluffy tail (or dressed up in a fur coat, as she put it). A rodent- a rat…. I will never think they are cute again!
    B

    Reply
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Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to three energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
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