Baby Squirrel Rejected By Mother Chooses To Be With This Man Rather Than Returning To Nature

There are many touching stories showing the bonded relationship between humans and animals. For some people, the friendship with animals is unexpected, but they can’t imagine how they would be without their furry friends in hindsight. One real-world example is the story of Paul and the squirrel Stella below.

Source: stella.da.squirrel

In 2019, Paul suddenly spotted a 7-week-old squirrel when he was driving. The squirrel got attacked by two birds after falling into their nest, so the man took her back to her mother.
“When I was at a red light I noticed a baby squirrel running away from 2 birds that were attacking her.”

Source: stella.da.squirrel

Unfortunately, when Paul brought the baby back to her hen, her mother refused to take her in. Therefore, the kind man brought the squirrel home to care for that night.
“I tried to put her back near her nest but her mother never took her back. And after waiting over 9 hours, I decided to take her to my place for the night. Tried to go to her nest again the next day but her mother didn’t want her.”

Source: stella.da.squirrel

He shared that Stella was cautious with him at first: “She was trying to protect herself. Making sounds to try to scare me away.”

Source: stella.da.squirrel

The man hoped the mother squirrel would take her baby back the next day, but he was wrong. As a result, Stella stayed at Paul’s place until she was old enough to be back in nature.
“When I took Stella to my place, I took her for only a night. Then when her mother still didn’t want her on the second day, my plan was to help her get old enough to release her into the wild.”

Source: stella.da.squirrel

Source: stella.da.squirrel

However, the squirrel seemed so close to her owner that she refused to be separated from him.
“The time I realized she would never leave was when I let her climb up some trees and she would run around and have so much fun and still want to come back to me”

Source: stella.da.squirrel

Though Paul believed little Stella would love to live in her natural habitat, she surprised him by returning to him whenever he let her go.
“I was so sure when she would see how it felt to be free that she would just run away. But she always comes back to me. Or runs to me if she sees me go too far away from her.”

Source: stella.da.squirrel

According to Paul, Stella’s presence didn’t change his life much in terms of his house and routine.
“Maybe just giving her some space in my living room for her cage. That I usually keep open. Only close at night when she sleeps. I’m a disabled U.S. Marine Veteran that got injured during service. I was in a car accident years after my military service and was deemed to be disabled from it also. So I am home most of the time to be with her.”

Source: stella.da.squirrel

The owner was so careful with the pet’s food. He gave her healthy food, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts, to ensure her wellbeing.
“I make sure I feed her very healthy foods. Like 80% fruits and vegetables. She loves avocados. All squirrels love avocados. They would do anything for them. The other 20% is nuts. Walnuts, almonds, peanuts. Roasted and unsalted. Don’t ever give squirrels raw peanuts or any type of raw nuts. It is not good for them. It takes away their calcium. And they can get a bone disease.”

Source: stella.da.squirrel

Source: stella.da.squirrel

Paul pointed out that squirrels enjoyed people’s attention and care. Stella loved to play with humans, and she was so adorable that everyone fell for her. Not only humans, but she also made friends with two dogs in the neighborhood.
“Everyone that knows Stella loves her! My kids both love her, and all of my family loves to come over and feed her. Also my friends. They all want to give Stella her favorite treats. She loves getting visitors. She even has 2 dogs that come to see her every day! They are definitely friends.”

Source: stella.da.squirrel

“Stella is very important to me. We need to be there for one another. Even animals!” Paul said.

Source: stella.da.squirrel

Perhaps Paul and his family had a special connection with squirrels. He and his father used to raise two of them after a similar incident, and one of the two, Suzy, stayed with his family for nearly a decade.

Source: stella.da.squirrel

“I think the most important part of all of this, having Stella around, is that she reminds me of my father who passed away in 2017. When I was 8 years old, my father and I were throwing a baseball at each other. Suddenly, we heard 2 little screeches. It was 2 baby squirrels being thrown out of their nest by their mom. And she also didn’t want her babies. So we helped to raise them. One died the first month. He was sick. But the other stayed with us for 9 years. So Stella reminds me of my dad and my pet squirrel Suzy. It is like a full circle. Maybe my kids will do the same one day and help a squirrel.”

Source: stella.da.squirrel

Stella made Paul think of his dad and his beloved Suzy. He thought it was fate that they met each other, and he hoped his kids would help this adorable species in the future.
“I am more than happy to have Stella in my life,” he exclaimed

Source: stella.da.squirrel

If Suzy loved Paul’s father most, Stella would put him over anything else. The owner thought this fluffy pet had saved his life after he rescued her.
“I tell everyone that I rescued her but I can say there are times when I feel that she is the one that rescued me! The love she gives back to me and her playfulness makes me beyond happy and grateful. When I was little and we had Suzy, it was much different. She was all about my dad. She played with us but my father was her one and only. And I can say Stella is that way with me. I truly think she was sent to me from God and my father!”

Source: stella.da.squirrel

Paul also shared some tips and advice for those wanting to keep squirrels as pets.
“One thing I would love to get across to everyone is that squirrels need a lot of attention and time. If you don’t have that, they will not be happy at all. If you want to raise a squirrel, just feed a local one outside. They will definitely respond to you and make you feel special. And remember, try avocado. They will love you for it!”

Source: stella.da.squirrel

Source: stella.da.squirrel

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