The Beaver’s Back

If someone had told me I would write about the precarious, furry creatures with oversized teeth that are commonly referred to as beavers, I would have told you that you were crazy, yet here I am doing just the thing. My stories come to me at random times, and they honestly can’t be predicted. So, here we are. For whatever reason, I’ve realized the beaver has randomly popped in and out of my entire life, and my curiosity of the animal has recently piqued my interest. And I found myself asking: Beaver…friend or foe? I guess it depends on how you look at it.

The first time I remember a beaver being on my radar was when I was a first grader in Mississippi being held hostage at one of my brother’s hot as Hades, little league games. Siblings ran wild like the Lost Boys of Neverland around those dusty fields while parents focused on the games at hand. At some point, I found myself with a group of fellow kids that I didn’t know very well. My two front permanent teeth had just grown into my delicate, little-girl face, and I was completely unaware they didn’t fit. The teeth were obviously oversized, but it confused me when the new friends I had just made started to call me “Bucky Bucky Beaver”. Sure, it hurt- but kids can be mean, and you get over it once you’ve worn a mouth full of metal for a few long and painful years.

If I had known better or been educated on the little rascal of the rodent-like animal, I would have told those kids about what a beaver actually symbolizes and would have thanked them for the compliment. It turns out, as a spirit animal, the beaver symbolizes productivity, motivation, hard work, resourcefulness, the ability to fight procrastination, discipline, creativity, attention to detail, and stubbornness. Sounds like a perfect match for a writer, no?

I also find it interesting that in Alaska’s traditional Athabascan tribe, the beaver is a culture hero who uses his wits to drive away monsters and build a better future for the people. In the Cherokee nation, they have a more whimsical role, similar to that of the American tooth-fairy, where young children give their baby teeth to the beaver. Again, I guess it’s all about perspective.

This brings me to the beaver or beavers that have been at my in-laws’ farm in Nashville where my husband grew up. Throughout the years a beaver would meticulously build his or her dam on the land, forming a beautiful pond that would attract ducks and provide a cool place for the grazing horses. For Taylor’s family, it would become an added bonus, allowing them to enjoy the additional wildlife that came and went along with the view of new waterscape in the pasture. It is an occurrence that has happened on and off throughout the years, and when the diligent beaver returns, it is joyfully announced, “The Beaver’s Back!” Now, no matter what, if you exclaim that sentence regarding the beaver being back, you will sound as country as a turnip green- try it.

Now, talk about perspective. While the newly formed dam was a welcoming site for one family, it almost always flooded the neighbor’s basement across the pasture. Can you imagine? One family appreciating nature’s new beauty in their yard, while another is cleaning up water with a rented shop vac all night long while cursing the little animal. Eventually the dam would be destroyed by dynamite (obviously from the disgruntled neighbor), and everyone would wait until the return of a brave beaver.

Also, there’s a new beaver in town that my family unit is crazy about, and his name is Buc-ee. We proudly wear the T-shirts while my children, lovingly carry their very own Buc-ee’s stuffed animal. If you have never stopped at a Buc-ee’s gas station, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Founded in 1982 in Texas, Buc-ee’s has become one of the most incredible pit stops along the American highways. Of course, it’s smiling mascot is a cute, cartoon beaver who tempts passing customers with signs referring to the cleanest restrooms in the land and the savory scent of fresh barbecue brisket or sweet homemade fudge. (Take it from someone who could easily be diagnosed with a true fear of public restrooms, they really are as clean as they claim). When you enter a Buc-ee’s it is sensory overload, but in a good way. It could even be a one-stop-shop for Christmas shopping if you were in a bind. They have everything from high-end children’s wear to stand alone smokers and charcoal grills. Buc-ee’s even holds the world record for the largest convenience store at 66,335 square feet as well as the longest car wash at 255 feet of conveyor. Thankfully, we finally got one in Tennessee. Trust me, this beaver is worth making a day trip. If I were you, I’d find the closest one and knock your Christmas shopping out early!

Recently, my husband and children discovered another beaver on my in-law’s land, most likely trying to build the pond again. However, this time he had a broken paw. My son would check on him from time to time, and my animal loving mother-in-law eventually called in Walden’s Puddle for back up- a wonderful organization that provides care and treatment to sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife. The trapper came on out, and after he put up quite the fight, Mr. Beaver went off to have his paw examined. We’re still hoping he returns so we can all exclaim, “the beaver’s back!”, but I’m not so sure the neighbor feels the same.

So, I guess the strange little creature with oversized teeth and a paddle like tail that most people don’t give much thought to is quite the animal- symbolizing all kinds of wonderful attributes. So, next time you see one or visit a Buc-ee’s on your next road trip, maybe look at the good ole beaver from a different perspective, and ask yourself- friend or foe?

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