DEAR JOAN: We have an animal unlike any I have ever seen at our feeder. Her head and front paws look like a gray squirrel, but the slope of her back and scrawny tail look like a ground squirrel. Her coloring is mottled, gray and beige, like a pinto bean.

Can ground squirrels and tree squirrels mate?

Kristen, Bay Area

DEAR KRISTEN: Although the two species are part of the same family and can look very much alike, I think you probably are seeing a run-of-the-mill ground squirrel.

Their coats are mottled and they have a band of slightly darker fur, flecked with light gray, that extends from the head and across the middle of the back. A gray fur cape covers their head and shoulders, which makes it more difficult for predators to spot them. Finishing off the look is a buff tail with shades of yellow underneath.

Ground and tree squirrels do not mate, although I suppose that physically, they could. For one, they don’t really like each other. And two, there are a plenty of fish in the ocean, to torture an analogy, making it highly unlikely the squirrels would mate outside their own species.

A tree squirrel and ground squirrel love affair would be the ultimate in star-crossed lovers, as one lives in the trees and the other under the ground.

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DEAR JOAN: I use fresh chopped white onions and spread them into the flower beds and soil of my tulips and peony to keep squirrels away. They avoid the onions and (seem to) get irritated with the smell.

I am also trying to find a way (to) use the freshly-cut onions in my persimmon trees to keep the squirrels off. Perhaps pureeing the onions in a blender and putting the mixture in a spray bottle might work.

Art, Bay Area

DEAR ART: Squirrels are not fond of raw onions or garlic and, like chile powder, these are good deterrents for most squirrels. I don’t think pureed onions will be liquid enough to spray, but you could try hanging pots of the onions from the tree limbs or “paint” the mixture on with a brush.

St. Pitty’s Day parties

Shelters often have a disproportionate amount of pit bulls. On Saturday, two groups will be offering special “St. Pitty’s Day” rates on all bully breeds in hopes of finding them loving homes, as well as to educate the public about the personalities of these frequently maligned dogs.

The Hayward Animal Shelter has lowered adoption fees to $20 on pit bulls going to qualified homes. The St. Pat’s Day special is 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the shelter, 16 Barnes Court, Hayward.

Contra Costa Animal Shelter also will have a special on St. Patrick’s Day, offering free adoption on all bully breeds, and $25 for all others. The eighth annual St. Pitty’s Day party is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at both shelters, 4800 Imhoff Place in Martinez, and 910 San Pablo Ave. in Pinole.

Celebrating our older pets

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Concerned Saratoga residents putting water out for wildlife but it’s not a good idea Every month, we create a slideshow of your pet pictures based on a specific theme. This month, we’re paying homage to our older pets — those older guys and gals that fill our lives with so much love, wisdom and fun.

Take a look at the slideshow, then submit your photos.

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