Texas

Woman opens backyard ‘squirrel resort' to help cool off critters amid Texas heat wave

"I peeked through the window and a little squirrel was 'splooting' right in front of it." That got her thinking.

By Noelle Walker • •

NBC Universal, Inc.

This time of year a lot of kids are heading to summer camps. All the activities at camp help keep the kiddos from getting a little ‘squirrelly’ but as NBC 5’s Noelle Walker explains that behavior is encouraged at the New Braunfels ‘squirrel resort’ that helps the critters cool off.

The 'dog days of summer' are getting near in Texas, but one New Braunfels woman doesn't think of them as 'dog days.'

"We have our squirrel resort," Breyana Elwell said sitting on her porch.

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It started last summer, in the middle of a Texas drought and heatwave, when Elwell put out a fan on the porch rail to help her family keep the heat and flies away.

"I peeked through the window and a little squirrel was 'splooting' right in front of it," Elwell said. That got her thinking.

"I took action," Elwell said. "Rummaged through our freezer and got some fresh fruits and some water and some nuts I ordered online."

She set out the squirrel buffet on her porch with a few fans.

"There would be only one squirrel at a time usually on the porch. Then it turned into two. Then it turned into three," Elwell said. "Once I saw six, I was like, we need to relocate them."

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The Elwells took a downed tree and created a squirrel highway between trees in their backyard, then they added fans, food and fun.

"My husband probably thinks I'm crazy, but he's the one who built it for me," Elwell said. "It's become almost like a job, but it's not a job because it's a hobby for me and I love it so much!"

Lesley Jordan
Saw this squirrel trying to stay cool in this 100+ heat! He looks miserable!
Tina DePuew
We live in Bedford Texas and it is too hot for the squirrel the squirrel is trying to cool off in the bird bath
Our backyard squirrel resting on top of our water fountain after getting a drink.
Wayne Bangs
Squirrel in Dallas arboretum. From Karen Bangs, Garland
Jennifer Weiman
Splooting squirrel
Madison Clements
Splooting Squirrel in University Park 🙂
Wendy Stane
Splooting Squirrel 🐿️ in Arlington
Domingo Rivera
Hot squirrel
Jay
This little guy is chilling in the cool dirt
Brent Wade
I was on a golf course in Florida last week. This is called a fox squirrel, I believe…. And even when it froze in this position to cool off, it was still terrifying
Cindy Isbell
Squirrel in a park in Boston… I thought this was cute
Cindy Isbell
Squirrel in a park in Boston… I thought this was cute
Martha Partlow
My squirrels will eat at this feeder and then rest on top of it.  Sometimes it’s the ”on deck” area, as they wait for the feeder to be available.
Casey Rossman
Rocky Joe trying to beat the heat. I raised her and released her, but she still comes down to visit and get some a/c.
Laurie Burns
Squirrel watching the world go by in a cool place!
Jan Nix
I came home at 3 PM and found a squirrel cooling himself in the birdbath!
René Günter
One of our little friends trying to stay cool in
Pantego, Texas.
Cyndi Evans
This squirrel is trying to stay cool in this heat. I add ice cubes throughout the day to try and keep the water cool for the wildlife.
Monika
Love this picture. He layed like that for over 2 hrs. Hope to see you show this on TV
Penny Serrato
We call him Psycho because he has been known to chase shadows in the yard
Dan Taylor
Photo of squirrel trying to stay cool in tomato plant. Taken by wife Brenda Taylor. We enjoy your program!
Amber Avalos
Amber from Joshua Texas
Karen Wilson
I found this squirrel laid out spread eagle enjoying the shade and coolness of the concrete on my back porch.  Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
Share your photos and videos with NBC 5 by emailing iSee@nbcdfw.com

"It's not necessarily about the squirrels because my phobia is actually rats and mice, and if you really look at a squirrel, it's really a fancy rat," Elwell said. "I think it's just my heart. I would help anything."

Elwell occasionally posts what's happening at her backyard 'squirrel resort' on Instagram and TikTok.

"I just can't wait to see what they do next," Elwell said.

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