Rise of the Rescued Squirrel: A Burst of Joy to Start Your Week!

Written by Barbara Tomlin of Virginia (USA)

Clicker the squirrel was probably born deformed and was pushed out of the nest by her mom. When I found her in my driveway, she was about 2-3 weeks old and was unable to use her front hands to hold food and she had to pull herself along on the ground most of the time instead of walking like a healthy squirrel. Somehow I knew Clicker was facing a relatively short life, but I wanted to give her the best life she could have while she was here.

I immediately went to work preparing a little home for her (I always referred to her house as her “castle”). Before she was weaned, she drank formula from a syringe — Clicker in my left hand, syringe in my right. As tiny as she was when I found her, she fattened up very quickly! At the proper age, I started introducing her to solid foods. I had to hold the food in my hand, as her tiny hands were not able to grasp anything. As she got a little older, she was able to eat food from a dish in her “castle”, but she just couldn’t pick anything up.

Clicker enjoyed the outdoors just like any other squirrel, crawling around in the grass and playing with her human friends. I even held her up in a tree so she could have the experience of acting like a healthy squirrel, even though she could not climb. She loved being in the sunshine and fresh air, and most days were spent outside with me, her adopted mommy.

Clicker lived an amazing six months, and lived as much like a normal squirrel as I was able to make that possible for her. She has a special place in my heart and I hope I was able to let her know that even though she was born with a deformity, she was loved by everyone who met her. See a breathtaking collection of photos of Clicker

And Yet Another Squirrel Saved…

Barbara Tomlin later rescued a second squirrel that had been abandoned. She named the little one Summer and was able to release her into a friend’s yard where she is safe from cars and dogs.

“To this day she remembers me when I visit,” Barbara explains. “On release day, she really didn’t want to leave but I visit her often and she knows that there are always peanuts in my pocket!”

More wonderful photos here

Woman Helps Little Gopher in Trouble: Stunning “Thank You”

Fallen Baby Blue Jays Get Emergency Nest In Hanging Basket

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Gita S.

2:37AM PST on Feb 12, 2012

Barbara,where ever you are, may God be with you, for you are such a nice person.

send a green star

Eternal G.

5:03PM PST on Feb 6, 2012

You just have to love these little beauties!

Lauren T.

10:53AM PST on Jan 29, 2012

Thank you for sharing your story, and god bless you for looking out for these little critters, and giving those unlucky ones a fighting chance.

Barbara T.

5:11AM PST on Jan 29, 2012

Kati - you are absolutely right! Anyone that finds a wild animal that needs intervention should immediately contact a wildlife rehabber in your area (which is exactly what I did when I found Summer and Clicker). I was given all of the information I needed to get both Summer and Clicker to the release stage. One year I also found two birds that were plucked out of their nest by a larger bird, they had many injuries, eyes were not open, they had no feathers, and were cold to the touch. I went into action and without going into all of the details, I was able to release "Frick and Frack" in a very short time, happy and healthy. Thanks again to all who continue to leave kind comments on my post! And remember, when it comes to our wildlife, remember the three R's - Rescue, Raise, and Release.

Kati P.

6:57PM PST on Jan 27, 2012

Thank you Barbara for your loving kindness. i feed squirrels too although i risk a fine (yes it is illegal to feed them in Montreal) but there is no one on this earth who will dictate to me whom i can feed or not! I just wanted to advise anyone who does so, PLEASE DO NOT FEED THEM ALMONDS.Apparenty, almonds will poison them Also, if you want to help an injured one, get information on how to care for them or bring them to a rehab rescue as you can do more harm to them if you do not know how to care for them, especially babies.

Carrie Anne B.

3:29AM PST on Jan 27, 2012

great story thanks for sharing :)

Debbie C.

9:25AM PST on Jan 26, 2012

Awww... Barbara. What you did for Clicker and Summer is amazing!!! They didn't get that Motherly love from their natural mothers, but they got it from you. That is so great.

I feed the birds in our yard bread and crackers. One day, I saw a squirrel out there with them eating the cracker bits, too. What do squirrels eat normally besides nuts? I want to be prepared if I see him/her again.

SeattleAnn S.

1:33PM PST on Jan 25, 2012

That is amazingly adorable. Thank you so much for being awesome, and I'm jealous.

Sandra D.

7:29AM PST on Jan 24, 2012

I an touched by your love for animals, here in montreal quebec canada we can be fined if feeding animals How low can humans be!!! they prefer starving them to death than giving a few peanuts and mostly LOVE.

1:55PM PST on Jan 23, 2012

Once again, I would like to thank everyone for their kind comments. It was a pleasure and an honor to raise Clicker, even if just for 6 months. She enjoyed life and gave and received so much love during her time with me. For those who commented that I should have taken her to a wildlife rehabber, I would like you to know I did just that. They walked me through every step of every day with precious Clicker. She was taken back several times for a "check-up" and passed with flying colors. She had every care possible for a squirrel in her condition. "Summer", on the other hand, thrives to this day in the wild at a friend's place where she is safe from dogs and cars. She has access to food every day, and if the sunflower bucket gets empty, she will knock on my friend's window reminding him to fill the bucket! I am so proud of her - she will be 3 years old this coming April, and we have yet to see little Summers :) My friend says she chases all of the other squirrels away, so it's hard for her to have a "boyfriend" (which is fine with me!) I just pray she lives a long, healthy life back in the wild where she belongs. Thank you again to everyone who has warmed my heart with your kind comments. ~Barbara (and Clicker and Summer)