This video from Paul and Louise Ramsay in Bamff made me smile. I think everyone who has had a little brother or sister will understand what is happening at once.

Some times when I give a beaver talk I say that Martinez installed the first flow device on the west coast. But that’s not really true. Washington state was way ahead of us. It knows more about beavers than all the other states put together. And has a tolerance and understanding them that I still envy. Just read this article.

Determined beaver refuses to leave road despite pleas from Redmond police

REDMOND, Wash. — A determined beaver got a once-over by Redmond police late Wednesday night after refusing to leave the road.

According to Redmond PD, officers responded to a ‘suspicious subject’ attempting to cross Avondale Road at around 11 p.m. last night, without regard for public safety.

Local Eyal Tropen said he tried to reason with the beaver for ten minutes before giving up and calling the police.

“He alternated from a mission-focused march along the side of the road, repeated attempts to cross (despite heavy oncoming traffic), and slumping in the rain gutter – absolutely refusing to get back on the sidewalk,” said Tropen.

I almost always instinctively hate stories about beavers on the road. They  are such a bad shape for traffic. But I can barely resist this one:

Tropen told KIRO 7 that he spoke with the beaver before police arrived.

“During our conversation, before the police got there, I believe he said, ‘I can’t be stopped or even slowed down, nothing’s going to get in my way… The cops won’t even catch me, because I’m on a mission from God.’”

I swear to God I believe it. That beaver had a plan.

Redmond police tried to bargain with the beaver, but said their attempts at verbal commands were also ignored as the beaver continued to evade them.

“After a one-sided negotiation, we let the beaver cross the road towards a wooded area,” said Redmond PD. “Please be mindful of this stretch of road, as this subject apparently has no concept of crosswalks or traffic laws. No citations were issued.”

How  much do you love that? Seriously, I could marry everyone involved.

Tropen thanked Redmond PD for stepping in to help, adding, “This officer earned his Beaver Herding Badge tonight!”

Joan White is beyond talented. Thank you!

Last night was a fun group who were seriously interested in beavers. I had at least two favorite parts. The first was when Colin Coffey introduced himself as the new new EBRP head for Ward 7 (Which includes Martinez and when the beavers came was famously represented by our FIRST important beaver friend Ted Radke.) He and his wife dropped off a holiday card of support one day that thrilled me with hope we might actually win the campaign.

And the second came at the end when a gentleman said his grandaughter was watching my talk with him and said she would like to go to the festival!

Oh and someone asked at the end how I stayed motivated and inspired after all these years of fighting.

I answered all the usual things like beavers themselves inspire with their hard work and family bonds and teaching children inspires and meeting dedicated people inspires. But I also said “Do not underestimate the  inspirational value of spite.

Getting your way and being proven right is plenty inspirational too.

I seem to remember there was an old joke something like “What do you call 300 lawyers buried at them bottom of the ocean”
And the answer was “A good start”.
Same.