I can't believe I almost missed this.

According to msn.com today, Friday, is Squirrel Appreciation Day. And what have I been doing all day? Napping on the couch, napping on my bed, napping on the living room rug and occasionally sniffing around the kitchen floor looking for stray Cheerios.

Right now, I'm nose to the window shaking my hindquarters like Elvis to let the human know simply this: I. Need. To. Go. Outside. And. Appreciate. Squirrels.

Several live in the wooded lot across the street and frequently visit our yard, skittering teasingly across the fence when I'm on the wrong side of the back door.

But today, if I could just get outside, I could give an Underdog-worthy yank on the leash and be off to, um, appreciate, my squirrel neighbors.

I mean, I love them so much that I just want to eat them up. And, in what can in no way be a coincidence. January is National Soup Month. I'm thinking fresh thyme and onion in a squirrel based broth?

If you are wondering, Squirrel Appreciation Day was founded 10 years ago by a wildlife rehabilitator in North Carolina. Here's the link to her website: www.christywisty.tripod.com.

Now, I have some 'preciating to do.