Adorable Baby Squirrel Rejected By Its Mom Decides To Stay With A Man Rather Than Return To The Woods
Paul wasn’t looking for a new roommate when he spotted a 7-week-old baby squirrel riding shotgun in his life, right there while he was driving. He expected this to be a quick rescue, a one-night fix, and then back to the woods where she belonged.
But the mother squirrel had other plans, or rather, no plans at all. Stella kept showing up at Paul’s place after every attempt to return her to her nest, even sprinting back when Paul wandered too far. What started as “just one night” turned into days of stubborn devotion, plus a whole routine shift for a disabled U.S. Marine Veteran who spends most of his time at home.
And the wild part is that Stella didn’t just stay, she acted like Paul was her safest option.
Paul spotted a 7-week-old squirrel when he was driving
The man had thought that the mother squirrel would take back her young the following day, but he was mistaken. Little Stella astonished Paul by always returning to him after he let her go, despite his belief that she would enjoy living in her natural environment.
When Paul brought the baby back to her nest, her mother refused to take her in
“When I took Stella to my place, I intended to keep her for only one night. Then, when her mother still didn’t want her on the second day, my plan was to help her grow old enough to release her into the wild.”
Paul was so certain that she would simply flee once she experienced what it was like to be free. However, she always returned to him.
Or, if she noticed Paul straying too far from her, she rushed to him.
"Tried to go to her nest again the next day but her mother didn’t want her"
The moment Stella returned to Paul after he tried to put her back, it became clear this was not a one-and-done rescue.
Paul claimed that, in terms of his home and routine, Stella's presence didn't significantly alter his way of life.
“Maybe just giving her some space in my living room for her cage, which I usually keep open. I only close it at night when she sleeps. I’m a disabled U.S. Marine Veteran who was injured during service. I was in a car accident years after my military service and was deemed disabled from it as well. So, I am home most of the time to be with her.”
Stella was cautious of Paul at first
The pet's food was handled with great care by the owner. To protect her health, he fed her nutritious foods, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
"My plan was to help her get old enough to release her into the wild"
“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% consists of nuts: walnuts, almonds, and 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 develop a bone disease.”
The squirrel refused to be separated from Paul
Paul believed little Stella would love to live in her natural habitat
When Paul finally brought Stella back to her nest and her mother refused her again, the “next day” plan basically evaporated.
Paul observed that squirrels value human care and attention. Stella was so adorable that everyone adored her, and she loved to play with people.
In addition to humans, she made friends with two dogs in the area.
She surprised him by returning to him whenever he let her go
“Everyone who knows Stella loves her! My kids both love her, and all of my family enjoys coming over to feed her. Also, my friends want to give Stella her favorite treats. She loves getting visitors. She even has two dogs that come to see her every day! They are definitely friends.”
It’s a lot like Longo finding Biscuits on a scorching sidewalk, then never letting go.
Stella's having her meal
Stella is incredibly important to Paul. He says we all should support one another, even animals.
Paul and his family might have a special bond with squirrels. After a similar situation, he and his father used to raise two of them; Suzy was one of the two and lived with his family for about ten years.
Stella is home with her hooman
The owner was so careful with the pet’s food
With Stella cautious at first, Paul’s daily setup, cage kept open during the day, turned into the exact routine she kept gravitating toward.
“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 eight years old, my father and I were throwing a baseball back and forth.
Suddenly, we heard two little screeches. It was two baby squirrels being thrown out of their nest by their mom, who also didn’t want her babies.”
"She loves avocados. All squirrels love avocados"
Paul continues, saying:
“So we helped to raise them. One died the first month; he was sick. But the other stayed with us for nine 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.”
Paul pointed out that squirrels enjoyed people’s attention and care
Stella is easy to get along with
Paul was reminded of his father and his beloved Suzy by Stella.
He exclaimed, "I am more than happy to have Stella in my life."
Hey, little buddy...
Then the food details, especially Paul’s strict rules about what she can and can’t eat, made it even more obvious Stella was settling in for the long haul.
Stella would prioritize Paul, especially since Suzy loved Paul's father more than anyone else. After rescuing her, the owner believed the fluffy pet had saved his life.
Paul is a disabled U.S. Marine Veteran who got injured during service
“I tell everyone that I rescued her, but I can say there are times when I feel that she is the one who rescued me! The love she gives back to me and her playfulness make 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. I can say Stella is that way with me. I truly think she was sent to me from God and my father!”
"We need to be there for one another. Even animals!"
Stella reminds Paul of his late father
He thought it was fate that they met each other
Paul also provided advice and recommendations for anyone considering keeping 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!”
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Now Paul is stuck wondering if Stella rejected the woods for him, and whether he can ever let her go.
Wait till you see how an orphaned squirrel bonded with a maternal pit bull after being rejected.
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