Crazy people in New York

Every day I take Maggie for a walk in the morning in Riverside Park, and we spend a fair amount of time stalking the squirrels.  People leave bird food at the base of trees, which also interests the squirrels, who are often torn between the desire to get some of the food and the need to evade Maggie.  Normally, they climb up the tree, and gradually start climbing down again, until they get to close to Maggie, and then they retreat.  The other day, there was what seemed to be a young squirrel, who was stuck in a very small tree, with no apparent method of escape.  I was resigned to dragging Maggie away, when I saw the squirrel climb to the highest branch of the tree, and begin to contemplate a flying leap to the nearest tree.  I cheered the squirrel on, and loudly voiced my congratulations when it made it to the tree.  I then turned around to see another dog walker standing close to me, who was probably wondering about this crazy person who was talking to squirrels.   So what's wrong with talking to squirrels?

Maggie and a squirrel contemplating each other: