We have red squirrels. First time I went to Ottawa, it was late August and I thought I was on a different planet. The grass was all yellow, almost all the trees were those burgundy-black ornamentals, and the squirrels were all jet black and the size of cats. Plus every single person there made more money than me.

Squirrels are a nuisance if they get in the house or at the bird feeders, but they're very, very smart little critters. I read not long ago that a female (red) squirrel will actually go out and claim extra territory, and will bequeath parts of it to her daughters, a strategy not very often seen.