ST. GEORGE — Move over, dogs — there’s a new contender for man’s best friend. Meet Ellen, the squirrel proving that sometimes, the tiniest critters can make the biggest impact.

“Maybe 35 different weekends she’s come out and we’ve been able to share our joy of the nature around us,” Tia Astle said about her squirrel friend, Ellen. “We love her. And she’s hysterical.”

Astle and her husband Todd have a knack for staging iconic scenes — everything from Little Red Riding Hood to Starsky and Hutch. Their playful vibes led them to create the same epic scenes, this time starring their squirrel sidekick they named Ellen. Squirrel snapshots have included a mini wooden picnic table, popcorn party, squirrel-sized house, doll playing cards with the squirrel, road with a red convertible and a “Squirrel Crossing” sign, to name a few.

The couple bought their 1.37-acre property nestled among the trees in Kolob’s Whispering Pines neighborhood five summers ago. They’ve retreated there ever since to escape the desert heat and enjoy some off-grid relaxation, free from cell service. During their first three summers, they spotted skunks, owls, wild turkeys and a multitude of deer. But in July 2023, a special squirrel made its debut. And that changed everything.

Though the squirrel was initially hesitant around humans, the temptation of trail mix was too much to resist. Ellen couldn’t help but come right up to investigate the food. Astle said she immediately imagined the idea of the squirrel having its own picnic table and laughed. That’s when she ordered a tiny table with a blue umbrella from Amazon, marking the start of her whimsical squirrel adventures.

“That just allowed my mind to get more creative,” she said. “What other props can we use in this setting? Yes, we bought the property, but I feel like it’s probably Ellen’s property. She was there first.”

The squirrel was named Ellen after a viral video featuring a groundhog with a voiceover repeatedly saying “Allen, Allen, Allen.” Suspecting the squirrel was female, they chose the closest name — Ellen — and it stuck.

Astle said she has conducted extensive research on squirrels, finding them incredibly fascinating due to their intelligence. Known for their food-stashing habits, squirrels even trick predators and other squirrels by pretending to bury nuts in one location while hiding them elsewhere.

Astle noted that they typically retrieve about 75% of their stored nuts, a crucial survival strategy for enduring Kolob’s harsh winters, which two winters ago brought 16 feet of snow.

She believes Ellen is a gray squirrel, which typically lives 6-10 years in the wild. To ensure Ellen’s health, she avoids giving her anything with salt and sticks to natural foods like fruit and unsalted nuts. Ellen’s favorite treats are peanuts and almonds.

How do they identify Ellen?

Ellen bears marks showing she’s had to fight for her place on the property and is easily recognizable by her unique feature — a torn left ear that looks as if it’s healed in a bi-lobe shape.

“She’s lost a toe, she’s lost fingernails, she’s had a big gouge on her back,” Astle said. “When we first saw her in May of this year, she looked like she had been through the wringer. And every time we go up there’s a new injury. She’s territorial.”

Astle hopes the community will respond to Ellen’s story with warmth and appreciation rather than judgment. She sees it as a lighthearted glimpse into the quirky side of life, offering a bit of humor in a world often filled with chaos.

“I don’t want her to ever feel like, or I consider her domesticated,” she said. “We are in her element and we capitalize on nature, which is my heaven. My slice of heaven is that piece of property. And when she came into our lives up there, it was just a bonus.”

Join Ellen’s wild escapades on Instagram @ellenelevated.

Photo Gallery

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.