One lucky squirrel was given the greatest gift this Christmas — a fresh chance at life, and a cozy place to spend it.
Earlier this month, a Reddit user named Chris and his wife welcomed the furry young animal into their home after discovering him injured and twitching on a road in the rain. By the time he was brought to safety, it was clear that the little squirrel would not have lasted much longer without their help.
Thanks to the family's efforts, the squirrel, who they've named Mitten, now seems to be doing much better — though, as Chris says, he'll never be fit for release back into the wild. That being the case, they're dedicated to making things as pleasant and homey as possible for Mitten as he lives out his days with them — including letting him hone his climbing skills with their Christmas tree.
"My wife was playing with him near the tree, and he acted interested in it," said Chris. "We decided to let him wander, and he went right to the tree."
Since Mitten's new tree won't be around forever, Chris is already working on building a large permanent enclosure for him inside the home. Meanwhile, the family is working with experts from a wildlife refuge to find out more about how to give their little rescue the best life possible going forward — and he may end up being one of the first of many.
Earlier this month, a Reddit user named Chris and his wife welcomed the furry young animal into their home after discovering him injured and twitching on a road in the rain. By the time he was brought to safety, it was clear that the little squirrel would not have lasted much longer without their help.
Thanks to the family's efforts, the squirrel, who they've named Mitten, now seems to be doing much better — though, as Chris says, he'll never be fit for release back into the wild. That being the case, they're dedicated to making things as pleasant and homey as possible for Mitten as he lives out his days with them — including letting him hone his climbing skills with their Christmas tree.
"My wife was playing with him near the tree, and he acted interested in it," said Chris. "We decided to let him wander, and he went right to the tree."
Photos via Reddit
Since Mitten's new tree won't be around forever, Chris is already working on building a large permanent enclosure for him inside the home. Meanwhile, the family is working with experts from a wildlife refuge to find out more about how to give their little rescue the best life possible going forward — and he may end up being one of the first of many.
sweet
empathy for other living creatures is one of mankind's greatests gifts. well done
Bravo! Our squirrels do need our help sometimes.
I feed them everyday....drives my cat nuts......lol
So cute
As much as I hate squirrels, I love this story.
They are such timid, sweet and highly intelligent creatures, each with their own personalities. I've had the pleasure of interacting with them and the variety of birds coming to my back porch close to a year now. They have taught me quite a bit about their world while honoring me with their visits and unique friendship with me. How did it happen? Not from injuries, thankfully, but from my city having a block's worth of lush healthy trees cut down. They're daily blessings to me. I have no doubt the family who adopted that adorable little one will realize this too.
I love my local squirrels. One knows the sound of my door opening, a couple of others know the sound of my car pulling in, and all of them know I always have nuts in my pocket. They always make me smile.
Sweet that this squirrel found his/her for ever home with such caring humans alot of people would have left him/her to die.
Our "acquired" cat-hunter killed so many red squirrels here, I was angry but had to accept it as the way of animals. Then I found the cat with an injured squirrel he'd cornered on my patio. I took him in thinking he wouldn't make it but a couple of weeks later and a bite or two let him leave. I put branches in the huge rubbermaid tub he was in (with many holes in it for breathing and circulation of course),I thought the branches would maybe help return some of his leg strength, and it did! I'm not sure if he is the squirrel I see everyday when I feed the animals but I'm hoping so. He endured pain and fear at the end of claws worthy of Hugh Jackman's character Wolverine!!! He deserved a second chance to make it here.Not quite as handsome though!
What great hearts and kind hospitality Chris and his wife are sharing with Mitten. May this close knit family continue to honor and enjoy one another in generosity of spirit. This is a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.
We took care of a baby squirrel for several months and then we taught him to be outside in the yard. He used to come every day for seeds and to play and then suddenly he didn't come back anymore. I used to call him from the deck and I could see him jumping from one tree to the other one to get to me. I believe something happened to him. I was very sad for a long time.