If you build a cabin in the country, groundhogs will build burrows underneath and move in. When you aren’t looking, the sneaky critters will steal the leaf mulch from your flower beds and line their beds underground. 

Before you know it, spring will arrive. Mama groundhog and her babies will run around your yard, nibbling on this and that. They’ll eat all the sunflower seeds from the dish you set out for the adorable chipmunk. 

Then one of Mama’s young’uns will stand upright in the flowerpot of your braided hibiscus tree. After all, it is a groundhog-sized shade tree. He’ll look so cute – you’ll take his picture and chuckle. Then, the chunky fellow, we’ll call Chubs will try to climb that potted hibiscus tree. When he eats a leaf, then two, you’ll say, “That’s enough.” Opening the door, you’ll command him to, “Get down from there. Get, get, get!” 

Not good at climbing or jumping, clumsy Chubs will take his time coming down–no matter how loud you yell. Once on solid ground, he’ll scurry down his tunnel beside your cabin door. You’ll move the hibiscus tree out of his way–to the other side of the porch and set it up on a bench. 

Later, you’ll hear a man’s whistle outside. Home alone, your arms will get goosebumps. You’ll set your book down, creep up to the front door of the cabin, and peer out the glass panes. You’ll feel relief there’s no stranger outside, once you discover the whistle sound isn’t a man’s, but amazingly coming from–you guessed it–a groundhog. Whistling to get your attention, Chubs will stand upright, on his hind legs, staring at you! What could he want, you’ll wonder? More sunflower seeds? Another tree to climb and eat? You’ll shake your head and go back to reading a book. 

Before long, you’ll hear loud thudding sounds outside. When you go to the door again, you’ll see potted plants knocked off their stands and potting soil spilled everywhere. You’ll know who did this. “Chubs!” You’ll mutter, clean up the mess, and wonder how to get rid of groundhogs. Who wouldn’t? These varmints are trouble.

A little later you’ll see young Chubs laying on the front porch like he belongs. He’ll yawn and stretch his arms. Ah how sweet he looks! You’ll soften and notice, from the back, he looks like a cat with that long, furry tail stretched out on the porch. He’ll look cute, almost innocent lying there sleepy eyed. You’ll think how cool it is to have a groundhog for a porch pet.

So, you’ll fill the dish outside with more sunflower seeds. After all, if you build a cabin in the country, groundhogs will come. 

(This is a humorous, but true story about our resident groundhogs. Everything truly happened. I kid you not. The proof is in my photographs.)

By Deborah Stafford Tukua, author of the children's book, Traveling the Natchez Trace Parkway from A to Z.

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