Community Chat

[JoyFilled Warrior]

 

"Punxsutawney Phil" says it's going to be a longggg, cold 2 yrs

[gertrudecloset]

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@SharkE wrote:

That groundhog cracks me up. He's a cute devil.

Groundhog day is Thurs.

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That groundhog is not the same groundhog every year.  I'm sure by now "Phil" has been swapped out over a hundred times.  

Imagine if that were still the original Phil?  How old would he be?  LOL.

[JoyFilled Warrior]

hmm

How do they know what " "Punxsutawney Phil" sees with his/her own eyes?

[gertrudecloset]

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@JoyFilled Warrior wrote:

hmm

How do they know what " "Punxsutawney Phil" sees with his/her own eyes?

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Maybe a deep dive into the history of Ground Hog Day can yeild some answers @JoyFilled Warrior .  From what I gather the ground hog is supposed to be as accurate as the "Farmer's Almanac" that has been in use for many years.  Good question, too!

[MyShadowLove]

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@beach-mom wrote:

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@MyShadowLove wrote:

@beach-mom ...What do you mean when you say that groundhogs are "mean"?...I'm sure that, when feeling threatened, they will become defensive and aggressive which would be understandable...Any living being would react the same.

In our first home, we had a large yard where our back property line abutted with an apple orchard and farm...There was a small shed that had signs of digging and dirt and we soon discovered that a family of groundhogs had made the shed their home...Being the animal lover that I am and respecting all living creatures, I convinced my husband to just let the shed be, as I didn't want to disturb them.

We had three cats at the time...one was strictly an indoor cat and the other two were indoor/outdoor cats...In the twenty years that we lived there, there were never any problems with the groundhogs bothering us nor were there any problems with our cats and the groundhogs...I'm sure that our cats and the groundhogs were wary of each other at first and eventually came to an "agreement" with each other...lol...but there were never any signs of aggression or meanness whatsoever...because they never felt threatened.

They soon came to realize that they were safe and we all lived peacefuly amongst each other.

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Hi @MyShadowLove! What I meant is pretty much what you said. They are mean only when threatened. They won't chase you, but you can't touch them or they will bite. They won't come near people on their own. DH says their teeth are razor sharp. I asked him if he ever treated one, and he laughed and said, "They're not pets." The Phil who lives in the library does get veterinary exams. 

You notice the handlers always wear heavy gloves. Only a few members actually handle Phil; the other members don't touch him.

As I understand it they are vegetarians and don't bother other animals. But other animals, including most cats, will go after them. 

The Inner Circle will insist there is and always has been only one Phil, but actually there are a number of groundhogs who represent Punxsutawney. Two live in the library year round.  There are a few the Inner Circle members take around to schools and organizations to teach others about them. One of those guys is the Phil we see February 2.  

Hi @beach-mom ...It is always good to see you as it brings back great memories of the enjoyable times on your "This Is Us" thread and all of the many fans who shared their thoughts and perspectives...great group of posters...It was so much fun.

Thanks so much for your reply...I do recall your husband being a Vet...what a wonderful profession, although I'm sure it can be difficult and emotional also...I feel like I missed my calling and should have become a Vet Tech or worked in some capacity involving animals as they have always been such a huge part of my life since a little girl.

My husband and I had a good talk with our cats...lol...and tried to take the credit and think that we raised our cats to respect the groundhogs that made the shed their home and it appeared to be a shared mutual respect amongst the groundhogs as well...although, of course, we did have to admit and had a very strong feeling that our cats and the groundhogs worked it all out in their own very special ways as to what the boundaries were...with no harm done, thank goodness. 😸

I don't know what the  life span of groundhogs is so, during the twenty years that we lived in the house, the shed may have been passed down to the next generation. lol

Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to seeing you "around the neighborhood". 😊

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[beach-mom]

Hi @MyShadowLove ! I miss our discussions on the This is Us thread too, and I really miss the show! Last I heard Dan is still planning the movie. 

It sounds like your sweet kitties have welcomed the groundhog family to their home! It's great they can coexist! 

I think groundhogs have an average lifespan of about 7 years. If you talk to anyone in the Inner Circle they will say there has always been only one Phil. He is given a special elixir every fall that gives him an extra 7 years of life for each sip he takes! Of course there is a ceremony for this, but I don't think the public is invited! Phyllis does not get it! 

You can always help out with animals. One way I tell people about is PetsMart. Most of the ones near us sponsor pets up for adoption from local shelters. The dogs don't stay (they bring them in on special adoption days), but the kitties do.They are in cages where people can see them, but they need volunteers to help feed them, play with them, and change their litter boxes. You can go in whenever you want to- every day, once a week, or in between. 

Being married to a veterinarian has been an experience! I met him right after college when our family cat needed surgery. I couldn't get up to see her until late, and he was the one staying overnight! It was meant to be - LOL!  

[MyShadowLove]

@beach-mom ...We are no longer in the house that had the shed with the groundhog family....We moved to another house after 20 years and we see a good share of wildlife here also although we don't have a shed...lol

I didn't hear about a possible "This Is Us" movie...That would be great, so I will keep my eye out for it...I would also love to see Dan Fogelman do another family drama series.

I love how your precious kitty picked out the "purrfect" soulmate for you and brought you together! 

Okay, I don't want to take this thread off-track, so I will just end by saying that I'm glad Groundhog Day is over with...lol... and I send my love to Phil & Phyllis, although I would prefer that they were living in their natural habitat.

I look forward to seeing you "around the neighborhood"!...Take good care!