I wish I had the video for the time I observed a squirrel confront and attack a miniature Yorkshire terrier. The Squirrel jumped on the back and rode the little fellow for a couple of feet until the horrified owner scared the squirrel away. It took ten minutes for the laughter pains to die down afterwards. Poor Yorkie. Bold squirrel.

I used to like squirrels and bamboo until I moved into my new house.

Americans have a thing for squirrels.

At the time of this posting, the headline on the main page said, "Ever wonder what the first iReport was?".

No. 

iReports were OK when it was just for cutesy, human interest stuff...like squirrels.  But there are way too many totally unqualified people who take themselves for journalists now without knowing anything about what journalism is, and CNN has given them a forum.  It cheapens CNN, and cheapens the craft.  Worse, they've now given an excuse to local outlets to air any piece of crap someone puts together for a Facebook page and call it journalism.

What happened to the cat and her baby squirrels???

Squirrels are cute --- but they're filthy little beasts!

Totally incontinent, if you entice one to take a peanut out of your hand be prepared to get pee'd on!  ...but they ARE cute!  I've had two generations of them come visit my balcony --- to beg for peanuts and pee all over everything of course.

Enjoying the conversation taking place here. Thanks for reading, all.

@Cogitor -- Totally understand what you're saying, but things don't work quite that way around here. We're all about collaborative storytelling and working together with our community. If someone sends something to us via CNN iReport, we talk to the person and we work to verify the submission. So the end product is a collaborative effort. Journalists have traditionally relied heavily on communities and institutions to gather information, and this is a new way of doing that. Anyway, thanks for your comment!

Squirrels are "God's little farmers" and as such bless us with reforestation (and corn planted in our flower beds).

Cute

I'll take a squirrel report anytime over the stupidity in Wash DC. Congress makes these little squirrels look like Einstein - and at least when a squireel pees on you, you know it. Can't say the same for Congress when they do it. Impeach Congress! Elect a squirrel!

SQUIRREL!!!!  Sorry, couldn't resist.

--Dug

Squirrels seem like adorable little creatures but they are also some of the most destructive.  I used to love them and would feed them until I became a homeowner and they started destroying my property .... they're wreckless ... they chew through screens, wood and scale houses to try and get in.  They are no longer "cute little creatures" ... I've had to go to battle with these little minions!

Cogitor,

    If anyone reading an iReport is expecting a journalistic gem then they do not understand the concept at all. There certainly are some very well written reports and there are some real clunkers but most fall somewhere in between. The point is that here is a bit of localized news(rangin from serious to silly to cute) that would have otherwise never been seen by anyone else or it would have been buried on page 6 of a local newspaper.

Probably the cutest of all the animals when they are young and fun to watch when older. But they grow up to be a headache. Those tree rats are almost impossible to keep out of the bird feeders. But the biggest problem I have with squirrels are the idiots who trepass and destroy our property to hunt them. It seems as soon as a hunter grabs a gun they become illiterate and color blind. No matter how many signs I put up or how much purple paint I use they still cut the fences to blast these rodents (and anything else that moves in the forest).

Cogitor is right. Anyone with a smart phone thinks they're a network news reporter and often don't know what they are talking about. I can understand CNN wanting to be interactive with the reader but the stories aren't cleaned up enough. It's bad enough I've seen copy errors in CNN stories, what makes them think I'd give any credence to an iReport?

I once spent an hilarious half -hour watching a squirrel annoy the heck out of a neighborhood cat.  The squirrel was high on a telephone pole, the cat on the ground.  The squirrel would run half-way around the pole and stop; the cat would make a semi-circle on the ground.  The squirrel would run up the pole; the cat would back up to get a better look.  The squirrel would run down the pole; the cat would come closer.  Round and round and up and down they went, first the squirrel then the cat.  And I swear the whole time I could hear the squirrel laughing.

Rats with fluffy tails...

They are cute, but don't be tempted to take one as a pet. If you find a baby, don't try to feed it; call a wildlife rehabilitator who will know how to help orphaned wildlife survive and that they make terrible pets because they turn feral as adults and get nasty. They bite and otherwise make poor pets.

This cat is lookes like my Tom cat but i love all amimals

very nice to see animals just beein good friends

After reading the mostly critical comments (and posting my own) of the anniversary of iReport, this piece proves what everyone was complaining about. How are photo's of squirrels journalism? If CNN wants to keep their version of Youtube going, then rename it iTakevideosofridiculouscrapsoicangetonCNN. Just don't try to pass it off as journalism.

@conoclast and @komjj - you both whine about squirrels but you both made a major error in engaging with and feeding the squirrels on your property.  They are wild animals - as such, the "problems" you both encountered were of your own doing.  Squirrels aren't stupid. If you behave like a food market, they will treat you like one.   As for peeing on you - that is the way a squirrel marks its territory. You were a food source he wanted to claim as his own and keep others away. As a wildlife behavior, it is actually pretty smart.   Leave the squirrels alone and they will find natural food sources.

yea we raised one through this last winter big mistake on our part. As spring got closer he got more nasty and mean to the point we could not open the large cage door to feed him. Husband went to feed him his ear corn by sticking hand in cage to drop the corn ear. Well he latched onto Husbands hand by the time he was able to get his and out he had a 4 inch gash that needed many stiches. And that little nasty thing went that day lesson well learned don't try to care for a wild animal.

come on folks, it's an I-report,"CNN's citizen journalism initiative". It's not Walter Cronkite. Take it for what it is. And besides, if someone wants to play reporter, great. They aren't forcing you to read it.

Personally, this light-hearted stuff is what I-report should be about, and I love it. My life is full enough stress and serious stuff. LONG LIVE THE SQUIRREL REPORTS!!!!!

NO... I don't ever wonder what the first iReport is because I don't now and never did give a F%#&$ about iReports.  If I wanted to get my news from idiots with cell phone cameras, I'd rely on blogs for my news.  Do your job CNN.  Do some investigative journalism.  If there's nothing interesting to report--then DON'T REPORT IT.  The 24 hour news cycle YOU created with Fox is the primary reason things are so screwed up in this country.  We the people hold YOU accountable.

SQUIRRELS ARE NOTHING BUT A RAT WITH A PRETTY TAIL..........THEY ARE A PROBLEM NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE....CUTE IS NOT ALWAYS CUDDLY....BEWARE THEY ARE NASTY, MEAN, AND NOT WANTED IN MOST PLACES, THEY SMELL HORRIBLE ALSO WHEN THEY CRAP ON WALLS...THE HECK WITH PETA MINDED PEOPLE....THEY ARE GOOD EATING THOUGH....HEH....HEH...

I can remember when I was around 10 years old my most excellent and smart not to mention wise Grandpa going back to Iowa to visit about 30 years ago and coming back with a bunch of squirrel.

The squirrel  was a cross between rabbit and chicken but also a flavor all its own, and Juicy. Thanks be to my late But Beloved Grandpa!

A few months ago, I was going to throw some trash into the dumpster.  I opened the lid and startled a squirrel who jumped out in a panic, seemed like it was flying through the air and was an inch or two from my face.  I can still picture the squirrel's stomach very clearly.  I thought "OMG, I hope it doesn't grab on to my face, but somehow he went over my head, though there was nothing to land on behind me!!  I was just amazed.

I'm glad to see that Congress is teaching us something.  Now it appears EVERYONE is capable of making a silly and unwinnable argument out of anything at all.  It's human interest stories and squirrels people! Go get a cold beer and calm down!

Great photos...just don't be fooled by them...squirrels do bite and you could be sick by that. Other than that the shots were cute.

Love the squirrel report & photos!  We have tons around our home here in TN, but we live in the country so they don't bother the house as there is plenty of food & shelter available.  The only trouble I ever had with squirrels was when we lived in the city in Florida & they seemed to love to gnaw the insulation off the phone line.  Every couple of years, I would have to call the phone company to make a repair.  And I wish I had taken a video of the squirrels who every day for years would sit on the electric wires out back & chatter at my Westie when he was let out.  It drove him crazy & since he couldn't reach them, he would bark, then bite & pull on the plants & bushes, I guess hoping it would shake them off the wires!  Silly dog!

Squirrels rock!

We have squirrels in our area, and enjoy their nonsense, but they have ruined two planters with flowers this summer, first ever, but it's been 104 degrees and more for most of our summer, and they like to cool off in the mulch and chew on the plastic hangers while they lay there.  Our little maltese jumps at them sometimes and they just run.  I feed them every morning, so I take the bad with the good.

When we lived in Missouri I use to feed the squirrels and watch them play.  My husband (old farm boy that he once was) reminded me squirrels are rodents -- but even today he loves their antics!  We can watch them all day -- chasing each other, etc.

Mmmmmmm squirrels taste good.  Squirrel...the Other  other white meat

What about the photo of the couple where the squirrel popped up and looked into the camera?

Squirrels bite...in more ways than one.  They are useless, disease carrying, intrusive pests and must be eradicated whenever and wherever possible.  They are worth 5 points if you hit them with your car, 2 points if you get them with a pellet gun, and only 1 point if you use explosives.

Cute pictures. They don't bother my house because I live in a warm climate, they prefer the trees. TBaggrssuck, wow, you are a nice person. If someone came on my property with a gun and fired it, they would be leaving in a body bag.

GET ENOUGH OF THEM AND MAKE A PIE!

All this talk about squirrels takes me back to some of my fondest youthful memories. Getting up at 5 am to go squirrel hunting with my Granddaddy. For an 8 year old boy it was pure magic. Stealthily stalking the illusive gray and red (fox) squirrels in the back woods of Kentucky. Looking for signs that they were near (little pieces of hickory nut shells piled up under a tree) Bagging 5 or 6 of the tasy little buggers to take home, skin, gut and clean for dear old grandmommy to fry up in bacon grease. My kids are horrified when told these stories. To them, squirrels are the cute little guys hanging around our backyard in the northwest begging for handouts. Back in Kentucky those suckers were twice as big and very good eating.

I like this iReport. These squirrels are so adorable, especially the joyous one on the bottom! We have so many in our neighborhood. I've seen them do some pretty cute and funny things. Now I wish I recorded them or took pics!

I had a local squirrel that would come whenever I called it making a certain sound and I gave it peanuts when he showed up. I kept the peanuts in a 5-gallon bucket that had a lid and placed it inside my screened in porch. One day I came home to find a whole eaten thru my screen, the lid of the bucket eaten off and about 300 peanuts gone. All eaten in one day. They have some appetite

I love shooting squirrels with my pellet gun

Let my people go!!!

For all you critics... iReport has never been exclusively about journalism nor has it ever been limited to silly fluff.  I have enjoyed and learned from many iReports in the past. Others have made me laugh. There are several outstanding photographers, photojournalists and videographers on iReport. Some are rank amateurs. iReport supplements the news and has some pretty fun projects.  It isn't meant to take the place of professional journalism.  I appreciated seeing reports from the Iran uprising--even if they were taken by a shaky cell phone.  There were places professionals couldn't go. So if you don't care for iReport, no one is forcing you to participate or even comment.  But to dismiss it out of hand because iReporters don't do journalism for a living is very small-minded and limiting.

Never try to make a sqirrel (or any wild animal) a pet. They are cute when they are young, but as they get older their attitudes change (just like teenagers). By the time mating season rolls around you may a a full-fledged monster on your hands. It takes generations to domesticate a species. Either leave them be or contact a rescue center for aid.

Squirrels are evil!

@insaidi - Glad you guys are doing a better job than the locals where I live.  It's a shame when it's not done right.  I've even seen a few cases where they're tip-toeing on the edge of libel.  Not working over your raw content from the public before airing it is really, really stupid, and a good way to get yourself in some hot water.

@hesaidwhat2 - I'm not looking for journalistic gems in community-supplied content, but I am cringing when non-journalists with no knowledge of the rules of the game turn out stuff that's either barely worthy of the Enquirer or Star, or is just plain borderline libelous, and call it journalism.  I'm not saying any CNN iReport ever went that far, but the concept and practice, especially among less sophisticated local operations, has opened the door.  That's all.

Hey, I like squirrels as much as the next guy - except when they're trying to get into my attic.

SQUIRRELS ARE NOT EVIL. ONLY PEOPLE ARE EVIL!!

ALL ANIMALS ARE WONDERFUL. THEY WERE HERE BEFORE

WE HUMANS WERE ON THE PLANET.

Squirrels are neither cute or dirty or any of the above. They are our neighbors and should be treated with respect, and even wonderment, as they are truly fascinating creatures. I'm a big fan of squirrels : )

I always thought it was mouse and squirrel

or mousse?

In the big city Parks it is day time if the squirrels are playing in the trash cans and night time if the rats are.

Right wing squirrels they seem to be...

I like squirrels

i always wanted a squirrel mostly because they stand upright when they eat

I've killed over a hundred of those pesky little varments this past year in my yard.  They're the most discructive rodent next to roof rats and carry all kinds of diseases. They'll chew threw electricl wiring, destroy an attic in no time if they get in and can make a person with allergies very sick. 

BUT:   I will however avoid them when I'm driving.  I do love squirrels but only when they're not in my yard.

My squirrel anecdote: Around here the squirrels use the lower power lines for high wire access between trees and across the roads.  They've gotten very proficient at walking the wires. 

I was walking my dog one morning and there was a very fat pigeon roosting on the wire that a squirrel was scurrying on.   Pigeons are lazy birds and reluctant to move.  In a flurry of feathers and warbly outrage, bird finally yielded to squirrel. 

@Fredishere   I tried feeding the squirrels one winter with peanuts because news reports said that the nut crop had been low that summer.   They do indeed eat prodigiously.   It became too expensive to keep it up.

I have a twe legged squirrel that was paralized from a fall when she was 3 weeks old. She is now 3 years old as of Monday and her name is Nutter Butter Adams..check her out on Facebook. She is also on Youtube. She has captured my heart and shows just how strong these precious little creatures are. You will be amazed when you see her videos of her playing.

Really enjoying all these squirrel comments! Thanks, everybody.

Heh, my people can be quite industrious when a food supply is made available. If you don't like having them dig into yer roof, try setting up some form of decoy supply somewhere on the far edge of your property instead, and over time move it further from your home in stages, until you just don't see em anymore.

As far as you humans eating my comrades, well, it happens, someone doesn't like the idea? its nature, ya'll humans eat cows and don't think twice bout it, but get squicked out by the idea of eating a chickenleg with legs, yeah? You humans are wierd.

Aaanyway. On behalf of my species, thanks for the nuts!

Adorable photos and cute squirrel anecdotes. Why so many negative comments? It's a simple forum for any/everyone to join. Lighten up!

So cute, and such a neat idea for a report compilation!! Thanks for putting a big smile on my face this afternoon! I especially like the one with the squirrel being mothered by the cat. It reminds me of a book I saw at the store last week, about some fairly unbelievable animal pair-ups (like a monkey and a tiger who befriended one another at the zoo).

They may be cute, but they'll tear up your home pretty fast.  I like squirrels, mostly in a stew or the like.

Why is it that animals are more interesting than people?

Yes, i have a squirrel i named "Junior" who comes to the house almost everyday for a peanut butter sandwhich... geese often come for corn ...one day i didn't get the sandwich to Junior in time so she (i didn't realize her gender when i originally named her) and so she went after the corn..which a Canada Goose was trying to eat..Junior ran with all her force and body-slammed the goose... she has done this several times since and the geese are afraid of her.... otherwise she is very sweet...

Cute!

PS - For another cute squirrel photo, do a Google search for "Tom Dorsey squirrel." Click the first story entitled, "Salina Journal News: View Tom Dorsey's flat-out good picture." Courtesy of my local newspaper. :) It has always made me smile!

Great squirrels stories. I live in Costa Rica and the Variegated tri-color tree squirrels are gorgeous. One lives with me.

I'm beginning to think CNN stands for "Commercials - not news..."

It's to the point where I set the tivo to record CNN in the morning so I can skip the incessant ad's....

They wouldn't have the ireport service available to the general public if they didn't want stories from everybody to include those that are not in the business.  There are no requirements that the stories contain only fluff.  From my point of view, it is designed to get a different point of view from the common citizen.  An unpolished story also reveals more to us about the nation than the story itself, which I find to be interesting.  I find the content of the story more important than the craftsmanship of the story.  It will also give people a little taste of what it's like to be a reporter.  Perhaps they will change their majors and actually become professional reporters and we will have a better field of professionals in the future.  iReporters, I would imagine would not have the same agenda as some of your more seasoned professionals and aren't constrained a network and their requirements.  But then again I do not work in the craft of journalism and it's yet another opinion of a person from the outside.If you want fluff; I have a cat that likes to bite me when he doesn't get enough attention, so I should wrap this up.  Ow.   

Who cares about any I-report?

I love all the squirrel photos, especially the one in the pumpkin, great shots

I have always liked squirrels. I feed several of them every day. They are also one of my favorite subjects to photograph.