The Williams Family and Sunshine the Yellow-bellied Marmot

Book number 10 is about an unusual animal, a Yellow-bellied marmot, a rock chuck. Upon adopting such an unusual critter from a houseful of rescued and exotic birds, I knew it was love at first sight. Sunshine looked like a funky brush. Her front legs were wallaby-like, and stubby black legs were buried under her very Buddha-like belly. She looked at me, let out a few chirps, and home we went to begin a life of terrorizing our cats, begging for avocados, squeezing down vents, escaping to the outdoors, and nipping the ankles of anyone that entered her territory. Her shrill whistle was like a fire alarm needing batteries. When she was in the mood, I could cradle her and she would 'purr', kitten-like. I learned so many things from her that I could relate to my life as a teacher: Risk is inherent when you allow yourself to step out of your own comfort zone. The hope is that when you give yourself permission to do it, you are that lifeline to something that really needs you, human or animal.