GRAB THE GAS CAN

You take a deep breath and throw open your car door. The smell of gasoline is even stronger now. You sprint around to the opposite side of the car, your heart pounding as you grab the red gas can from beside the lawn mower.

Behind you, you hear the faint sound of tiny claws skittering across the concrete floor.

You race back to your car and heave the gas can onto the passenger floor, diving into the driver’s seat. The door slams shut with a sound that echoes through the garage like a gunshot.

Too loud.

You sit frozen, listening. From somewhere in the house, you hear an answering chorus of angry chittering. They know exactly where you are now. Your hands shake as you reach for the ignition, but then you hear it: a soft scratching sound from somewhere inside your car.

Did you close the door fast enough?

Do you:

Start the car immediately and deal with any stowaways later. You’ve got extra fuel now, but those squirrels in the house are coming fast.

Or, do you check the backseat and floor for squirrels – Better to know what you’re dealing with before you start driving, even if it costs precious seconds.