‘He brought me a whole bunch of pinecones.’: Tree surgeon who saved baby squirrel while cutting down his home ends up adopting it and giving it a loving home

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Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Oct 9, 2026 8:15 AM EDT

In life there is no sure fire way to actually avoid mistakes. Sure, you can take precautions, check things thoroughly, but from time to time the unexpected happens and when that happens it is how you make up for your mistakes that matters far more than the mistake at all. This story is a pawfect example of such a situation in which a tree surgeon makes the mistake of cutting into a tree where a baby squirrel was nesting, thereby destroying its home. But what he did to make up for the error of his ways is where our story truly takes off.

Having seen that there was no turning back in the cutting of the tree and that no momma squirrel was around this hooman understood that his mistake had cost him responsibility. By which we mean of course that he would now be responsible for the cute critter's safety, needs and development. To leave the squirrel or attach it to another tree would be plain cruel. An animal that young is totally helpless in the face of the harsh reality of the world.

So being the responsible person he his, this tree surgeon took the squirrel home and gave it everything it needed to survive and thrive. Until the day came that the squirrel was given a home in the family's garden. This is a shining example of the love and care that all animals in this world deserve, especially when we cause them harm. So the next time you come across an animal in need, or find yourself mistakenly causing some sort of harm to an animal, take a moment to consider what you could do to correct the error in your ways. 
 

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  • 01
    I took him down from the tree, and he clung tightly to me. And just like that, he's by our side every single day.
    via maiba296
  • 02

    It sure does seem that the phrase 'mess around and find out' is being more and more frequently forgotten by us hoomans.

    While I was out logging, I found a little squirrel.
    via maiba296
  • 03

    Just look what happened when this hooman messed around with a tree that this baby squirrel called home. He ended up with a little hitch hiker on the way back down.

    I took him down from the tree, and he clung tightly to me.
    via maiba296
  • 04

    Lucky for the squirrel it was cute as a button and the hooman decided to adopt it rather than abandon it. Considering it's mother wasn't to be found this baby wouldn'ty have survived alone.

    I decided to adopt him and bring him home.
    via maiba296
  • 05

    So smol! So cute.

    LC-30 ඉ I fed him some milk.
    via maiba296
  • 06

    You can only imagine what is going through this tiny fur baby's mind. What will his future hold now that he is in hooman hands?

    After he finished, he just kept staring at me.
    via maiba296
  • 07

    From the looks of it a lot of cuddles and care.

    All my kids absolutely love him.
    via maiba296
  • 08

    And even a replacement momma to soothe the sweet little baby.

    My wife was soothing him to sleep
    via maiba296
  • 09

    Having been through the harrowing ordeal of being evicted without his momma it is not surprising that this baby has some emotional scars.

    and he seemed to be having a little nightmare.
    via maiba296
  • 10

    Lucky for squirrels, they are a resilient bunch.

    Slowly he grew so much bigger and started eating on his own.
    via maiba296
  • 11

    And with enough enrichment and support this little guy was quickly gaining a solid footing in life.

    I play with him all the time. SSAFEWAY 106.5 FM W.GO
    via maiba296
  • 12

    Though it is unclear whether he has completely grasped the concept of hooman hair.

    He seems to really love playing with my hair.
    via maiba296
  • 13

    Now that the baby is not so much of a baby any more it has come time for him to have his own little place to call home.

    My dad built him a little treehouse.
    via maiba296
  • 14

    Being so excited by the prospect of having his own space this cute critter even offered to help install his new digs.

    He even helped out with installing the treehouse.
    via maiba296
  • 15

    Which he instantly fell in love with of course.

    He totally loves his little treehouse.
    via maiba296
  • 16

    Giving him a place of his own that mimics his natural home as closely as possible, while also keeping him close to the family who took him in.

    OS And just like that, he's by every single day. our side
    via maiba296
  • 17

    And to reward their consideration the saved squirrel showered the family with 'gifts'.

    To thank us, he brought me a whole bunch of pinecones.
    via maiba296
  • 18

    Watch the full video here:

    via maiba296

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Tags

adopt baby animals down squirrel cutting saved tree viral animal videos loving home surgeon tiktok
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