August 4th: I can't find Squirrel

I returned to Talkeetna yesterday after being away for a week on a trip with my mom and aunt, and Squirrel is nowhere to be found. He wasn't here for lunch or dinner yesterday, and he didn't make it for breakfast today, and I'm starting to fear that he might be dead. I haven't gone 36 hours without seeing him since I moved in, and now there's been no sign of him.

Thinking that he might be dead, I sat outside and thought that I should have a little memorial service for him. What sort of service should I have for a squirrel? What would I say?

I finally thought that one of the cats must have gotten him, so I decided to search around to see if I could find any of his remains, and give him a proper burial.

Just then I heard a familiar chipring sound, and looking up, I saw Squirrel bouncing down from the treetops. I was so happy I smiled uncontrollably. I wanted to give him a big hug, but he has a problem with fleas he's been trying to work out, so we didn't go quite that far.

He did hang around for a while though, and we split a peanut butter sandwich. I was very happy to see him again, and I think he was happy to see me too.