In some places, there may have been a procession of animals to churches for a special ceremony called Blessing of the Animals which is conducted in remembrance of Saint Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures. The statue I have of St. Francis has a deer, dog, cat, rabbit and a squirrel around his feet. So maybe St. Francis didn’t like chipmunks like the noisy ones chirping at me today. I rather listen to a red squirrel chattering instead, maybe since I don’t have many pine squirrels around my house. The American red squirrel is also known as a pine squirrel.
Pine Squirrel