Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-27
y C hi e " em e mt s of
If O n q
By Antoinette Van Hoesen

she has crossed the continent twice, has
frequented most of the resorts of the
Pacific Coast and made eight sea voyages.
An excellent traveller and sailor, Mona
seems really to enjoy the tilt of a ship.
In fact, wherever Miss Buckley is she is
perfectly content, though this was by no
means true at the beginning of their
association. Captured in the foothills of
Northern California, Gagged, neglected and
tormented, until she was rescued by her
present owner, she was at first fierce
little Ishmaelite ready to use her teeth
and claws whenever there was oppor-
tunity.
Squirrels are easily tanned, but rarely
docile. Mona is docile, and yet she re-
tains the queer, shy independence which
characterizes her kind. As for obeying,
she never does except when orders accord
with her inclination. Seated on her
launches, when the artist receives her
friends, Mona accepts a certain amount
of attention. but permits no familiarity.
Miss Buckley alone can handle her with
impunitv. She losses her about as she
chooses, providing she can lay hands on
her; but when she is approached, Mona
and stay there indefinitely.
In examining Monas teeth and mouth,
in way not permitted by the ordinary
squirrel, it was discovered that her lower
front teeth have lateral action and
can be moved in this way at will. This
makes of them little tWeeZers, and that
they can be thrown open and drawn to-
gether makes it possible for squirrel
to reach into an Utricately divided nut
and pick out the Smallest particle of the
meat A feat which Mona performs with
these tweezer teeth and those above
them is to pull corks with the ease and
grace of head waiter. This she does
when the inclination moves her; at other
times nothing will induce her to pull a cork
She is a nischievous little beast, and
is in the habit of drawing the corks from
bottles of oil used about the studio, help
ing herself to the contents and then up
setting them. To cure her of this bottle
of cod-liver oil was placed where she
could get at it. When she discovered
it, she promptly drew the cork, sampled
it, was delighted with the flavor, and as
there was bunch of pink roses at hand
she mixed the leaves with the cod-liver oil
and on this odd salad proceeded to feast
Mona knows her name and many things
that are said to her. and evidently reasons
as well as understands. When she is in
a lower room and is called she gives not
the slightest heed but if the call is
accompanied by promise of cracker or
rose-leaves (she is fond of both), in
two or three bounds she is up the stairs,
and planting herself on her launches holds
up her small paws for the promised food.
Again, when she is called to go for walk
she never fails to come with all speed, and
at once sits up to have on the little leather
jacket to which her leash is attached.
Not only does she thrust her paws
through the openings in this jacket
intended for them, but stands still while
it is being laced across the back.
Always delighted to go out Mona is
equally pleased to return. When she
comes in she at once goes to her cage and
takes a siesta, for while she is perfectly
at home in all parts of the studio she
never sleeps except in the safe retreat