kate vs. the squirrel vs. the landlords that won't be missed

It's always something, even the last week in town.

As I mentioned yesterday, I worked the audit shift last night/this morning. This left a fair amount of time Sunday afternoon to run some errands (and not sleep, grr). I came back to my apartment, walked through my gate and stood in my courtyard fumbling for my keys.

Something didn't feel right.

I glanced to my right and saw him. The squirrel. The poor guy must have fallen off of one of the tree branches that hang over my courtyard and just kind of...face-planted. I let myself in and called my dad, who simply suggested I call my landlord. Since, it was Sunday, I decided I'd give them a pass and would wait until today to call. I said a quick prayer for Mr. Squirrel and ventured back out to finish more errands.

On my way out, I saw one of the landlords was putting the trash on the curb and I figured I could save myself the hassle of the phone call the next day. The following conversation ensued:

Me: Hi, I live in Apartment C and there's a squirrel that fell from a tree into my courtyard. I'm really unsure of what to do.

Landlord: You should just throw him away.

Me: *Blank stare with some shock thrown in*

Landlord: You know, the same way you'd pick up a piece of dog poop. Cover your hands in a plastic bag, pick him up and throw him in the trash.

Me (and I'll willingly admit, this was one heck of an effort for me not to pick up the poor guy or at the very least, a last ditch attempt to emphasize how uncomfortable I was): I don't think ladies should pick up dead animals.

Landlord: Well, sometimes as adults, we have to do things we just don't want to do.

And that was that. I think I left a little more distraught than I was before.

Would someone like to tell me what the point of a landlord is if that's the type of reaction I received?

At work this morning, a co-worker suggested I call animal control. Doh. The thought simply never crossed my mind. I called at noon and Mr. Squirrel (RIP) was taken away to be disposed of properly by 12:45. I'd like to ad that even the Animal Control Guy thought the situation was gross and informed other tenants and myself that poor Mr. Squirrel had to be removed in 3 pieces.

As an adult, my 20 year old sister, Pam, had this to say in response to my landlord:

"And sometimes, as squirrels, we end up in places and situations we don't want."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

kOb