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I walked a different way home after work for the first time in over 4 years. I found an open spot to cross 6 lanes of traffic about 50 yards sooner than predicted. I then almost went down the street I had planned to as I crossed the 6 lanes, but changed my mind at the last minute, whipped around a tree and came across an infant squirrel wiggling on the sidewalk on the hottest day of the year. I knew what I should do, but didn’t know if I should. In the wild, it would be easier to let him be. In the city, on a very hot day and facing the obstacles of human life, he might not last too long. While thinking about this tiny beating heart, I found a stick in which he partially grabbed hold of and I moved him to the grass at the edge of the sidewalk. At least he would be shielded a bit more from the sun and from the possibility of a person or bicycle running him over and/or becoming prey or play for another animal…

I started to walk home quickly, phoned my wife about the discovery and possible decision(s) conflicting me. While on the phone walking towards home, my body instantly turned around and backtracked to check on the baby squirrel. I paused for a while to look after him near the edge of the sidewalk, pondering what to do as I got off the phone. I then told the baby squirrel to “Hold on.” and took off in a very fast pace the two blocks to get home, deciding along the way that I needed to help as my heart told me I had walked a different way for a reason. On the walk home I almost asked a mailman what he would do in such a situation, as he walks a great deal and may have encountered such a thing in his many hours of service. But, I didn’t. I finally got home, grabbed a small box and glove, hopped in the car and drove back to the little guy. Thankfully, he was still wiggling there. I was a bit nervous and carefully placed the little half naked, blind baby in the box. I surveyed up in the tree I found him under, but couldn’t see any signs of a nest or squirrel activity. I hopped in the car. I turned the music off in the car so as not to disturb him. At home I put him on the kitchen counter and got out the phone book. I was worried sick, wondering if I’d done the right thing and if there was anything at all we could even do for him. Was it nature’s way? Was I interfering? Was a concerned, panicked parent out there looking for her baby boy? I cried. I prayed…

As it was well after 5pm, every phone call was answered with a “closed” message. We called at least a dozen more numbers, only talking to actual people manning after hour phones a handful of times. Each message and actual conversation ended in phone numbers leading to more phone numbers. One message told us to keep infant mammals in a comfortable place, warm and to not handle or feed them. We had done this. We phoned a friend who mentioned a couple more places and we made some more calls. One place told us that they were open, but couldn’t accept a squirrel across state lines per legal reasons. In the meanwhile, we upgraded the little squirrel’s cardboard apartment and glove to a pink pet carrier with t-shirt interior. He was wiggling a great deal and it was an ideal space for him to explore and with more options for snuggling. Finally, we had a very nice person call us back around 8:30pm. She volunteered to answer messages for a local wildlife clinic. She said we were doing the right thing and could bring the baby in at 9. I thought she meant 9pm, readying to life flight him on over. However, she assured me nobody would be there until 9am. So, the little guy was spending the night. We put him in the guest bedroom and shut the door so our 3 curious kitties wouldn’t disturb him. He must have wiggled around all night. I did too…

Morning came and I checked in on little baby squirrel at 5:30am. He made it through the night and seemed more alert than ever, most likely because he was undernourished and scared. I was thankful for his life, but still worried as I just wanted him to have a good morning before my wife drove him to the wildlife clinic. She called in late to work and I worked on some artwork just to get my mind off the little guy. As we seat belt buckled in the pink pet carrier apartment, he seemed very hungry, wiggling around a great deal to find his mother and/or siblings. My wife took off for the clinic and I watered some flowers, feeling better but still concerned. After 45 minutes or so, she called me and said it was a success. The clinic said we did the right thing. He was dehydrated and may have been out of the nest for a couple of days. They have a squirrel rehabilitation specialist and also have a baby squirrel of the same age. I am so thankful and happy. He is going to make it. Someday, maybe we’ll find our squirrel stealing tomatoes off the back porch and hopping across the rooftop and I will be OK with that. Today I will probably walk my typical way home after work. But, I don’t regret following the heart’s path and helping out a life in God’s great kingdom. The End.

Story & Photography by: DJG / KCMO / August 2010

Shot by: DJG / Sedalia, MO / Aug. 2010

For the second consecutive year, MMG has won Honorable Mention for outstanding work in photography at the Missouri State Fair. Congratulations to MMG! The Missouri State Fair ran from August 12 – 22, 2010 in Sedalia, MO. (Special Thanks to the MO State Fair Photography Competition!) -djg

David Seume’s “Will Ya Be My Friend” music video made by DJG and Philip Cheaney has been honored with a 2010 A6 design award by the Kansas City chapter of AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts). Out of almost 500 submissions, only 87 made the cut!

This is DJG’s 3rd time as an award winner with KC AIGA and it’s always better to share it with friends (the last time was with Doug Wilson on this poster). If you have four minutes, please check out “Will Ya Be My Friend”, and share with your friends!

The A6 official gala info: Saturday, September 18, 2010 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm at STUDIO Dan Meiners
2500 West Pennway in Kansas City, MO  USA  64108

More information about the A6 awards and gala can be found on their web site.

There is also a People’s Choice Award currently going on…check it out! Vote for your favorites!

(Special Thanks to KC AIGA and for those who continue to support our video!)

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A DJG poster for Regina Spektor’s 2006 Madrid show in Kansas City, MO (cropped above) received some kind words recently via the blog world in which we live in. It’s fascinating and flattering how more people are seeing the work on the internet…and after the fact. Enjoy! Thanks to those finding DJG out here!

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Photography by: DJG & MMG, 2009 – 2010 / Shot of Shots by: DJG / July 2010

For the third year in a row DJG & MMG will be submitting photography (above) to the Missouri State Fair photography competition and exhibition in Sedalia, MO. Titles by DJG include “Bryan and Gangy” and “Bubba Teef”. Titles by MMG include “Dirt Clod Throwing” and “Statue of Liberty”.

Last year DJG brought home a best in show rainbow ribbon and first prize money for “Haybaling Hank” (below) and MMG brought home a blue ribbon prize. The MO State Fair runs from August 12 – 22, 2010.

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Above Postcards by: DJG, US / Photographed by: Emily Chandler, UK

If the title of this news entry were only true…well, it partly is! Several hundred DJG postcard/mail art pieces have been traveling the United States for the past few years. Now, the art is making it’s way to the UK for a mail art show!

An email came in confirming the landing of some of the postcards in the UK: “I received 2 things from you yesterday! (one with googly eye and one on cardboard) I’ll take a picture of them all together for you when/if more arrive! One of them handed over directly by the post man – he was very impressed!”

Seven art cards were mailed out as-is and an envelope of 13 more was also sent for the exhibition at Cut-Click. More information can be found on their website. The exhibit is curated by Emily of Magpie Market. Check ‘em out!

Update: 08-02-2010
Photos (below)of UK mail art exhibition courtesy of Magpie Market.

(Special Thanks to Emily!)

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Thanks! – The DJG Management