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From a tailless squirrel to a birthday at 10,000 feet, column quests can take you anywhere Date published: 1/17/2012 By Rob Hedelt WHEN you head Take my pursuit last week of an unusual wild animal in southern Stafford County. What started out as a quirky quest to learn about Jackson, the squirrel with no tail, ended up blending into the tale of a unique airborne birthday celebration and the chance to spend some time and talk local connections with Don and Margaret Freeman. Two of the nicer folks you'll ever meet, they've lived in their Argyle Heights home for 43 years. The couple had gotten in touch to share details of a squirrel that, from time to time, likes to chow down at a bowl feeder put out for squirrels and birds alike. What got their attention about this particular squirrel is the fact that it has no tail, just a little bit of white fluff where a long, gray appendage should be. "I named him Jackson and would make a point of looking for him when they start feeding each day," Margaret Freeman said. When he was there, she said, Jackson had no trouble bellying up to the feeder, hanging around long enough to consume copious amounts of seed. "He's not a skinny one," said Don Freeman, who noted that the squirrel doesn't seem to spar with others of his kind, even in The Freemans have enjoyed watching the squirrel with a powder puff tail, "One person said Jackson isn't a squirrel, it's Though squirrels are the latest wild animals on the couple's watch list, they've spotted different wild animals in the neighborhood through the years: deer, foxes and even one pheasant. At this point in the conversation, Margaret very sweetly noted that her daughter was surprised someone from the newspaper would come out to hear about a tailless squirrel, but not her father's birthday at 10,000 feet. "His what?" I politely asked.
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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