The Lord's tests are not to control you, they are to challenge you to become better.
Elder Eyring
Gift of Heart to a Flying Squirrel that only stayed awhile.
Earl was surrendered to Busch Wildlife Sanctuary so long ago that no one remembers when he came. He was placed in the Hospital building in a 4' x 4' x 4' cage. He was fed and his cage was cleaned once a day. He was small and quick, immediately endearing with huge, black eyes built for seeing in the dark. He was also equipped with very hard, very sharp teeth--which he used effectively when someone tried to touch him or pick him up. If you were to interact with him, it would be on his terms.
Call his name. If he showed a sliver of his nose, offer him a bit of nut or sunflower seed. After a moment of consideration, he would gently take the proffered treat and then slip back inside his sleeping pouch.
If he did not appear, stay away and try later.
He never did adapt to play during the day. Sometimes, when he was very lonely, he would come out and spurt up an offered hand and arm. Instantly he would slip into a keeper's sweatshirt hood--or (he preferred) under the neckline of a loose shirt--skittering around under arms and around your belly to find a tight spot to cram in to.
After years of only coming out to accept a peanut or a mealworm ("I can get Earl to do anything for a mealworm," one keeper would boast.), Earl was more like a plump hamster with a short, flat feather of a tail than the lithe, sliver of fur and feet designed to float from height to height.
