Merry's newest travel client

At the travel agency, Merry’s co-workers thought his success with Harpie the seal was beginners luck. So, they set him up with a snowy owl client. There is a rumor that the last travel agent got eaten as a snack. This Snowy was nicknamed Whitey after the famous gangster. Merry confided in me that he was rather nervous about this new client. We looked up snowy owls on Wikipedia and the rumors are true: they love to eat rodents and even the occasional sea duck. Tucked away in one of the footnotes was an obscure reference to the fact that wood fiber gives owls indigestion.  Armed with the rather useful tidbit, Merry, Vinnie the P. and myself hatched a plan.

Merry went to the office and made all of the travel arrangements for his client. At the afternoon staff meeting, Merry announced he was making out his last will and testament. He asked his co-workers which of his personal possessions they wanted after his demise. It took less than five minutes for all of his worldly goods to be accounted for in his will.

Merry’s co-workers went out for a celebratory drink after work to congratulate themselves on finally ridding themselves of him. Vinnie and myself casually dropped by the tavern and bought them a round drinks. Then we started a betting pool. We got all twelve of his co-workers to wager a month’s pay that Merry would be eaten by his client. (If he survived they would have to pay us).

Merry gave the snowy owl a trip to the snow covered marshes near Salisbury Beach. The marshes are infested with mice and rats. (We chipmunks are not on good terms with mice and rats. They compete with for the same food resources.) When Whitey arrived at Salisbury Beach State Reservation gate house, he was greeted by a crowd of bird paparazzi with those expensive long lens. (Merry had announced his eminent arrival on the bird spotter websites). He loved all the attention. He had always dreamed of being a big celebrity. (Merry had wisely checked his facebook page and read all about his aspirations!)

Come Monday morning, Merry intentionally arrived late to the office to build up the suspense. He made a grand entry, jumped on his desk and ripped his will to shreds. Vinnie and myself dropped by a few minutes later and collected our “earnings.” Merry got a year’s salary out of the deal (minus our 10% fee)

Merry at his Woodpile office reading up on Snowy Owls and how they like to eat rodents

 

"Whitey" perched on the Salisbury Beach State Reservation gate house.

For a photo opt with the paparazzi. 

Whitey decided to visit the locals but they left in a real hurry,

straight through the bottom of the bird house!

The gray skies gave way to a snow storm.

Whitey found shelter amongst the rocks of the jetty.

 

On the next day, Whitey spent the afternoon "sun bathing"

  

In the later afternoon, he decided to go on a  hunting safari in the marshes.