“We were so excited to see them together …”
For the past two years, the family behind the social media page Life in a Log Home has been sharing their scenic property with a rather endearing wild houseguest: a groundhog they’ve affectionately named Gertie.
And truth be told, Gertie’s living the good life.
She’s made herself at home in a snug little den beneath the family’s shed, where she frequently pops out to enjoy her favorite treats.
“I have a deal with Gertie,” said homeowner Kelly in an interview with The Dodo. “She stays out of my vegetable garden, and I supply her with lettuce, carrots, grapes, and apple slices. So far, she’s kept her end of the deal.”
Gertie has mostly led a solitary existence, happily wandering the property on her own. But as it turns out, even an independent groundhog can’t always resist a bit of romance.
And recently, romance came calling.
While surveying the yard one day, Kelly spotted a newcomer — a male groundhog she’d never seen before, lingering near Gertie with evident admiration. Before long, he approached her, and Kelly began capturing what appeared to be Gertie’s very first date on camera.
“Bertie, as we’ve named him, is the first suitor we’ve seen her entertain,” Kelly shared. “We were thrilled to watch them together and observe their little interactions.”
The two groundhogs seemed to hit it off, although Gertie was careful not to rush things — Bertie didn’t receive an invitation into her den.
“She handled herself quite well,” Kelly said with a smile. “From what we can tell, Gertie’s definitely the one in charge.”
And Bertie? Completely smitten.
“He’s stuck around for several days,” Kelly noted.
Although their budding romance may be fleeting — groundhogs are typically non-monogamous and tend to go their separate ways after mating — Kelly remains hopeful that something special will come of it.
“Now we wait to see if there will be any little Gerties and Berties in the near future,” she said. “Our property is very wildlife-friendly. If Gertie decides to raise a family under the garden shed, we’d be delighted to welcome them.”