This morning it appeared for the first time, running to and fro on our deck, in and out of flower pots etc. For about an hour Zoe was mesmerized. I had to close the slider because one side of the screen is open, not visibly so even to insects but one lunge at it and she’d be outside!
It was moving so fast at first, I thought it was a baby chipmunk. There are chipmunks out here by the tens of thousands. Luckily it left after about an hour. Tonight (it’s 8:00 p.m.) it came back and was definitely aware of Zoe inside and her preoccupation with it. Jim got off a couple of shots from indoors. Here’s the best one:
What Am I?
It looks like a baby ferret to me. What’s your thought? Is it feral? Oh, for the purpose of size, each board on the deck is approximately 5.25″ in width. Val, what do you think? Cheers, Dee
Cooking with Dee 
Whatever it is, it’s cute!
Val the Vet says it’s a stoat, aka ermine. You know the white fur with black spots worn by royalty? That’s ermine. In winter their coats turn white to blend in with the snow (they’re only from wintry climes) but they have a black tip on the tail.
Take what catnip does for some cats, quadruple it, and that’s what watching this critter from the other side of a double-paned sliding door does for our dog Zoe. Thanks, Val!
Looks like a well groomed rat to me Dee, :)