Allen Pursley never thought he’d share his home with a baby squirrel. Yet, fate had a different plan when a tiny, injured squirrel fell from a tree and ended up in the care of Pursley’s veterinarian husband in North Texas.
Operating from home, Pursley spent his days with the tiny creature, nursing it back to health with hand-fed milk.
Watch the video at the end.
During these tender moments, the squirrel imprinted on Pursley, whose eyes hadn’t yet opened. The first sight it took in was the face of its rescuer. A unique bond was formed, and love bloomed.
As Pursley spent more and more time with the squirrel, he quickly found himself modifying a closet into a haven for his new friend.
Originally named Rocky, the squirrel earned numerous nicknames during its training, such as ‘Bad Squirrel,’ due to its inclination for exploring countertops and drapes.
While Pursley’s original plan was to nurse the squirrel back to health and return it to the wild, his bond with the squirrel grew stronger.
Over time, it became apparent that Rocky had become too tame for the wildlife he was supposed to return to. With some regret, Pursley realized that he had unknowingly nurtured a wild creature into a domestic pet.
Interestingly, when another squirrel appeared at their window one day, Rocky only glanced at it before continuing his indoor antics, showing no interest in joining his wild brethren.
Despite other pets in the household, Rocky only accepts handling from Pursley, playing a bit too rough for the resident dogs and cats.
Rocky has chosen his human and prefers his company over others. Two years later, Rocky still shows no desire to venture outside, though Pursley is building an outdoor abode just in case he changes his mind.
However, Rocky prefers his current arrangement. Even though he could leave, Rocky has decided to stay right where he is, with his rescuer-turned-best friend, Pursley.
Yet, it’s important to remember that taking a squirrel into a home environment is only sometimes recommended.
Watch the video below:
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