One Irish woman's adorable interaction with orphaned squirrel turns into a life-saving saga after realizing his chances for survival were in her hands

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Apr 16, 2026 6:45 AM EDT

We're not normally one for puns, but this story is nuts.

Ever since we first saw Snow White, we dreamed of being able to magically call woodland creatures to us with just a whistle or a song. Squirrels, birds, deer, foxes, even skunks, we would love them all and have as many wild animal snuggle puddles as we could possibly have. However, despite many attempts at whistling in forests or attempting to coerce the occasional cute creature into our presence, we have not once succeeded. Probably for the best, though, as our husband would not be happy if we all of a sudden came home with five birds and ten squirrels following us inside. 

But, perhaps our problem was not our whistling (in all likelihood, it probably is, we're not very talented in that department), but maybe our problem was that there were no animals around that needed our help. You see, some animals have actually learned to seek out humans for help. Maybe it's something they evolved to understand, or just took a chance and it worked out, but it certainly saved this little squirrel's life.

An orphaned baby squirrel climbed up an Irish woman's leg while she was waiting for the bus, and it wouldn't leave her. After a few moments of not understanding what her next move should be, she left the squirrel there. However, she came back three times to find the squirrel, and ended up noticing something wrong with the itty bitty baby. She was able to find people to take him in, which actually ended up saving his life, as he was able to get the treatment he so desperately needed. 

So, if a baby squirrel can approach a human to ask for help, we're pretty sure you can swallow your pride and ask for directions if you're lost. It might end up saving your life!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your Caturday with the funniest felines on the internet!

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement
  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10623615744
    via xXLucasterXx
  • 02
    First off I know nothing about squirrels. On my way to my bus a squirl came out of the bushes. I stopped like the sucker I am and he crawled up my leg and rested on my chest. There are loads of squirrels in the area and I saw big ones in the tree. This one looked juvenile.
    via xXLucasterXx
  • 03
    Cheezburger Image 10623616000
    via xXLucasterXx

  • This woman is literally living our dream. Do you know how often we've wished for a baby squirrel to nibble on nuts in our presence? To whisper the sweet secrets of the forest in our ears? To say we're jealous is a serious understatement.

  • 04
    When ever I put him down he climbed back up. And I felt so guilty. I called a vets and they told me they didn't know what to do. Eventually I put him down and ran but I'm really worried I left him worse off some how. Did I do the right thing? I asked the grounds keeper of the park if I should call a rescue centre and he told me there wasn't one. This happened in Ireland.
    via xXLucasterXx
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10623616256
    via xXLucasterXx
  • 06
    Edit: I've gone back for him three times so far. Can't find him. Really hoping his mum got him back. Will keep looking and have bought walnuts to scatter. Thank you for all the comments, this is such a lovely niech community.
    via xXLucasterXx
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10623615488
    via xXLucasterXx
  • 08
    inkblot_75 I'm glad that op found this little guy. Plans are in place to get this little guy to a safe location to get the best help that we can get. Can't take him to a rehabber because they are in Ireland. They will euthanize him.
    via inkblot_75
  • 09
    If everyone would look at the pictures before telling op that the little one can fend for itself, you would see that there's an injury or some sort of infection going on.
    via inkblot_75
  • 10
    There's something going on with the little one's eye as well as that big knot on the little one's head. You can see it from the side view picture. That is not natural and that is not going to go away on its own so that little one CANNOT fend for itself.
    via inkblot_75
  • 11
    The other indication that little one needs help, is that little guy climbed up on her. A healthy squirrel that could fend for itself would not do that regardless of the squirrels age. There have been adult squirrels that had done this before as well.
    via inkblot_75

  • It's true! Apparently, climbing up on humans as she experienced is so well known in the rehab community that they refer to them as "pant leg climbers." It always means that mom is no longer around, which is a sad fact that you now, unfortunately, know.

  • 12
    Please review all the details as well as the information provided before automatically assuming and/or stating that the little one can take care of itself. OP did an excellent job with retrieving this little one as they went out there multiple times. Thank you OP so much for your efforts with helping this little one.
    via inkblot_75
  • 13
    EDIT 2: I FOUND HIM WHAT DO I DO NOW EDIT 3: The most wonderful group of people has reached out to me and offered to take him in. I can not thank everyone enough for helping me and I'm so so so so so thankful he's ok and has a good chance at life. This is by far now my favourite community
    via xXLucasterXx
  • 14
    Much_Code212 You're a wonderful and kind human being. Thank you for helping him
    via Much_Code212
  • 15
    No-Sign-1137 A couple of years ago a shop I deliver car parts to found a couple of babies in an engine bay of a car they were working on. They built a nice sized cage for them and took care of them eventually letting them go around their house. They still hang out by the house and come to visit their rescuers
    via No-Sign-1137
  • 16
    TheCherryPony I didn't even read anything and the answer is yes as long as you care for him his whole life
    via TheCherryPony
  • 17
    Forsaken-Memory1785 Yes- congratulations, you now have a pet squirrel. He'll likely stay with you for the rest of its life.
    via Forsaken-Memory1785
  • 18
    InteractionOdd7745 I had a squirrel for a few years. We found him on deaths door and when I York him the wild life center, they said they did have room and they would euthanize him. So we took him and left and brought him home took care of them for a few years. He actually thought he was a cat because he
    via InteractionOdd7745
  • 19
    played qith all 3 of my kitty's. After a couple of years we wanted to him to see a vet. It is illegal for us to have him. It broke my heart but I found a WONDERFUL lady who is a rehabilitation specialist in squirrels. She has had him ever since. I can go and see him as much as I want. He is living his best life
    via InteractionOdd7745
  • 20
    thewellawareone Yes you did, without help he'd be de d very quickly, that's an infant.
    via thewellawareone
  • 21
    junoray19681 Name Gandalf the Gray
    via junoray19681

Check out our Instagram for more hilarious animal content!

Love our stuff? Shop for some of our pawsome merch here.

Tags

life saver orphan adorable survival wild animals squirrel animal rescue irish animals
Scroll Down For The Next Article