- by david sereda
It was dusk and the dog and I were headed to the driveway when we noticed something on the back stoop. Dark, a large ball… I told Poppy to stay, thinking it was a large cat. Lucky for us, she heeded and I leashed her, as we came a little closer and saw the ball turn into a rounded back and a head, heading under the shed.
I haven’t seen a porcupine up close, but that was what it was.
A week later Stuart sees prints in the snow going towards the shed … and at New Year’s the critter, who we are now calling Walter, is down the lane a little. Stuart sees him in the woods, then casually ambling down the lane …
We have a houseguest.
The day after New Year’s he’s in the field. I drag some large pieces of wood to cover the access to under the shed. Grab the big snow shovel and a stick. And decide to guide Walter to the bush over the road.
He’s in the field. I say hello.
I go past him (I assume they’re a him, just a feeling, I’m not going to go in for an inspection) then between him and our place. I talk gently to him. And then thump the ground with the stick and the shovel a good distance away.
He looks at me. I’m not going to hurt you, I say. He goes into a classic perfect spiny ball. Which is amazing. Then relaxes after a while and I say, Keep going, while thumping the ground. He starts to waddle down the field. This goes on for about 10 minutes. At a gentle pace, easy rhythm. I’m herding a porcupine. Happy New Year! From time to time we stop. Then resume. There’s a little traffic on the country road. I guide him towards the bush opposite. No vehicles when we are near the road, we have a window, Keep going, keep going. We cross the road, rather quickly. And down he ambles towards the woods.
We have a curious dog who isn’t afraid of cats. Walter looks like a weird cat. This would not be a good encounter, thus the relocation.
Also there’s a cornfield beside the bush.
Five days later we are wondering about Walter. There are lots of bold coyotes around, maybe martens, and foxes. And people drive too fast on that road.
We return from a “get out of the house” drive today, and Stuart sees Walter, in the cornfield. We come and visit, for this portrait.
How do we live close to other creatures without hurting ourselves or them?
Day by day, perhaps. Gently.
