The bond between animals and humans never ceases to amaze us! We're always excited to share some feel-good stories about those wonderful friendships, some of which are born unexpectedly. And this one that we are about to tell you is just like that!
In 2019, an adorable squirrel just about 7 weeks old fell from her den next to a birds' nest. The feathered creatures were not that pleased with this sudden visit, so they started to attack her. Luckily, a man named Paul was driving by and saw this incident. He took the squirrel back to her den in hopes of finding her mom. Unfortunately, she didn't want to have her baby back, so the man decided to take the little squirrel home and raised her with the intent of letting her back into the wild after she recovered. He named her Stella. However, the fluffy creature had no intention of leaving, so the two are now bonded for life.
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Here's Paul and Stella, two inseparable buddies whose friendship started about 2 years ago
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
Paul found the the squirrel when driving back home
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
The furry creature was running away from 2 birds that were attacking her
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
Bored Panda got in touch with Paul to get to know more about his and Stella's friendship. The man told us that everything started when he was driving back home from dropping his daughter off at school. "When I was at a red light I noticed a baby squirrel running away from 2 birds that were attacking her."
According to Paul, Stella was very scared
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
The owner revealed that the squirrel was afraid of him at first. "She was trying to protect herself. Making sounds to try to scare me away."
The man rescued the baby squirrel and took her back to her den in hopes of finding her mom
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
"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."
Unfortunately, the squirrel's mom didn't seem to be interested in having her back, so Paul took the little being to his place
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
"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."
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
Paul's plan was to help Stella get old enough to be able to release her into the wild
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
He tried to let the squirrel go multiple times
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
But the cheeky friend didn't plan on leaving and kept coming back
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
"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"
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
"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."
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
We asked Paul whether he had to alter his house or his routine to be able to live with Stella. The man replied that he didn't really change much. "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."
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
Paul is taking good care of Stella and gives her all the love she needs
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
According to the owner, squirrels need a lot of attention. They love to play and be shown love and care.
"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."
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
"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."
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
"Stella is very important to me. We need to be there for one another. Even animals!"
Image credits: 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."
"I am more than happy to have Stella in my life"
Image credits: stella.da.squirrel
"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!
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!"