Of Car Wrecks And Rock Chucks

It's been an interesting couple of days around here.  Our adrenaline has been running high!

1: Evasive Maneuvers and Lucky Kittens

Wes had a little accident on his way to work yesterday.  He was driving along Airport Road when suddenly a car pulled out in front of him.  Wes swerved to miss the car, but at 40 mph, he had a hard time slowing down.  Our car launched over a downed telephone pole and eventually ran into a building.  Holy Smokes!  Wes was pumped up and ran out of the car, chasing after the guy who had pulled out in front of him, as the guy just kept on driving.  The workers from the neighboring business came out to check on Wes and try to calm him down.  They also called back the driver since he was one of their employees.  Police officers came to assess the situation.  They haven't made an official decision yet on if the guy will be cited or not.  At any rate, it was not Wes's fault.  Our car is most likely totaled.  Wes has a few scrapes and he's a bit stiff and sore today.  We feel so grateful that it wasn't any worse!  We can always get another car, but we could never replace our Dad!  After things settled down a bit, one of the workers ran into the building.  It was an old building, used mostly for storage, but he had a mother cat and kittens inside he wanted to check on.  Luckily, they were just fine.  Wes took a few pictures of the scene:

Here you can see the skid marks.  And notice the telephone pole up close to the building.  The Mazda launched off of it, and it rolled closer to the building.

Ouch!

Wes drove Clint and me to the impound lot to see the damage.  So sad.

It was a little creepy to see the deflated air bag!  So glad you're alive Wes Thompson!

My reaction.

2: Cider O'Malley and the Case of the Peeping Tom

The fun never ends.  This afternoon, just as Wes and I were enjoying a little rest on the couch, I suddenly heard a growl, a commotion, and a very loud peeping sound coming from the backyard.  I went to the door, and saw SOMETHING!  I wasn't sure what it was, but Cider had it cornered in the garden.  It looked HUGE and it was emitting a lot of peeping noises!  I called for Wes, and he recognized it as a rock chuck.  I had never seen a rock chuck that big, but it was standing on its hind legs and its body was all puffed up.  Wes tried to call Cider off, and she nearly came into the house, but she just couldn't control her instincts and finally she went after the rock chuck.  Wes interfered with a shovel and got her away from it.  I grabbed her and put her in the house.  Then we were left wondering what to do.  I called animal control.  A Smithfield police officer showed up, but he couldn't help us much.  He was a part time animal control officer, but today he was on regular duty and couldn't put an animal in his patrol car.  He helped Wes get the rock chuck into a box, and then we drove it up the canyon and let it go.  Poor thing was traumatized.  We couldn't tell if it was hurt or not.  Hopefully it will survive.  I felt really bad that Cider had gotten to it.  But it made for an exciting afternoon on this Pioneer holiday!

Poor little thing wasn't sure what to do.  Wes had to jiggle it out of the box.  We had put some water in the yellow frisbee for it, but it just ran right across it. Sure hope you're okay, little guy!  Sorry you picked the wrong backyard to squeeze into!