In 2019, while driving, Paul suddenly noticed a 7-week-old squirrel. Two birds had attacked the squirrel after it fell into their nest, so the man took it back to its mother. However, the squirrel seemed so close to her owner that she refused to leave him. As a result, Stella stayed in Paul’s house.
“I tried to return it to the nest, but the mother did not take it back. After waiting more than nine hours, I decided to take her to my place for the night. I tried to return to the nest again the next day, but the mother did not want her.”
Paul was amazed by how attached Stella had become, and he didn’t want her to go. However, he knew it was time for her to return to the wild.
“I released her in my backyard, and she just sat there looking at me,” Paul said.
Even though the squirrel was close to its owner, it refused to leave him.
“I knew she would never leave when I let her climb trees, and she was running around,” he said. “She had so much fun and still wanted to return to me.”
“At first, I thought she would never return to me after feeling the sweet taste of freedom. But she always does. Sometimes she even runs toward me if I start moving away from her.
“It’s been an amazing journey,” Paul said. “I never thought I would be so attached to a squirrel, but Stella has become a part of my family.”
Paul talked about how his life changed after meeting Stella.
“Stella hasn’t changed my life that much,” Paul said. “I have to make a little space for her cage in my living room. I usually keep it open, except at night when she sleeps.”
Paul is a disabled US Marine veteran who was injured during his service. He was involved in a car accident years after he left the military and has been considered disabled since then. Because of this, he spends most of his time at home with Stella.
“She’s my best friend,” Paul said. “I can’t imagine life without her.”
Stella loved to play with people, and she was so charming that everyone fell in love with her. Not only people but also made friends with two dogs in the neighborhood. She was a very special squirrel.
“She would come to me when I called her name and sit on my shoulder,” Paul said. “I feel like she’s part of my family.”
Even now, Stella remains close to her owner, and they are best friends. Every time she sees him, she says “thank you” for rescuing her and giving her a chance at life.
Do you have a story of your own about animal rescue or friendship?
