[News] Yorkie "Adopts" Two Squirrels - YorkieTalk.com Forums

fasteddie · 07-30-2005, 12:13 AM

Brockville, Ontario, Canada - The next time Misty the Yorkshire Terrier is tempted to chase squirrels, she might think twice.

After all, the bushy-tailed little rodents she meets on the street could be relatives of her own adopted children.

The almost two-year-old terrier is getting her first taste of motherhood with a pair of infant squirrels brought home after their real mother was killed by a car on King Street Monday.

"I was afraid, actually, to bring them home," said the dog's owner Karen Amell.

"Misty is territorial and she chases squirrels. But not these ones.

"She licks them and cleans them all over."

Amell has childhood experience herself caring for orphaned squirrels and said it was "without hesitation" that she took them off the hands of a friend who was unable to give them the attention they needed to survive without their mother.

She said she was visiting her friend after the mother squirrel was hit by the car and felt she had to do something to help.

"The mother was on the road killed and the babies were trying to nestle, so we got them off the road because we didn't want them hit," she said.

She said she called the local Humane Society and was advised against taking the animals home, but to deliver them to the animal shelter instead.

"The Humane Society does its part but I want to do my part," said Amell.

She is confident she could do a proper job.

Apparently, Misty, and Amell's two boys Jacob, 9, and Lucas, 6, are also eager to do their part.

"The squirrels have taken to Misty and vice versa," said Amell.

She said the dog watches over the two squirrels dutifully and is patient when they try to nurse from her even though she can't feed them.

Instead, Amell supplies the animals with baby food for nourishment just like she did as a child when she encountered orphaned squirrels.

Meanwhile, her two boys are eager to pitch in whenever they are needed.

"They're helping and they love it. They're like, 'Mommy, can we feed them now?'"

She believes the squirrels are about three weeks old and will need to be hand-fed for another five weeks or until they stop suckling.

Amell, who lives in a north-end city apartment, said the orphaned squirrels will be moving again soon to her mother's home in the country where they'll have more room.

They'll be accompanied by their adopted mother on the move, she said.

"Misty is going out with them so when my mom's not home at least they'll have someone else with them."

http://newsfeed.recorder.ca/cgi-bin/...acgi$rec=14495

Ashantay · 07-30-2005, 03:35 AM

I think it is great that she wants to help the baby squirrels but the issues that arise from this are...

1) squirrel becomes used to humans and trusting bad idea as there are some pretty nasty people out there.

2) The squirrels become used to dogs. Another bad idea because there are so many dogs that will not look on them in the same manner as her lovely yorkie is and will in fact hurt them.

I would refer them to a wildlife rescue who deal with this sort of thing myself as they are more able to rear them in a fashion where the squirrels do not become too human and animal friendly.

Just my opinion though

centralnewyorki · 08-16-2005, 05:19 AM

What a sweet story!

Junebug · 08-16-2005, 10:13 PM

Very cute.. but what about rabies and stuff?

jesscruz · 08-16-2005, 10:25 PM

aaawww that is sucha sweet story!

it just put a smile on my face!

Josie's Mom · 08-17-2005, 10:11 AM

I just think it's a real sweet story.

JCarlson2004 · 08-17-2005, 10:19 AM

What a lovely story!!

jenefor · 09-07-2005, 04:52 PM

Too cute I would love for a squirrel to move on in (of course it would get shots) I just love them.... I love stories where animals of a different breed take in others just goes to show that we al have the same basic needs.
I just hope she doesnt plan on setting them free in the wild...they will never be able to survive in the world without its mother teaching survival skills

wollfy · 09-09-2005, 03:57 AM

Aw...Thats a sweet story..

SnowWa · 12-05-2005, 05:51 PM

Don't worry about squirrels becoming too friendly with people. This happens on its own all the time. We have tamed many a squirrel to come and sit near us on our patio and take food out of our hands.

I think the little guys should be released away from residential areas where dogs live. It is only the dogs that I would worry about ---not people.

I think if they were let return to the wild (away from residential areas), they would adapt quickly to living a normal little squirrel life. And, they would learn quickly to run and stay away from dogs.

Carol Jean

07-30-2005, 12:13 AM	#1
fasteddie *YT 5000 Club Member* Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,809	[News] Yorkie "Adopts" Two Squirrels Brockville, Ontario, Canada - The next time Misty the Yorkshire Terrier is tempted to chase squirrels, she might think twice. After all, the bushy-tailed little rodents she meets on the street could be relatives of her own adopted children. The almost two-year-old terrier is getting her first taste of motherhood with a pair of infant squirrels brought home after their real mother was killed by a car on King Street Monday. "I was afraid, actually, to bring them home," said the dog's owner Karen Amell. "Misty is territorial and she chases squirrels. But not these ones. "She licks them and cleans them all over." Amell has childhood experience herself caring for orphaned squirrels and said it was "without hesitation" that she took them off the hands of a friend who was unable to give them the attention they needed to survive without their mother. She said she was visiting her friend after the mother squirrel was hit by the car and felt she had to do something to help. "The mother was on the road killed and the babies were trying to nestle, so we got them off the road because we didn't want them hit," she said. She said she called the local Humane Society and was advised against taking the animals home, but to deliver them to the animal shelter instead. "The Humane Society does its part but I want to do my part," said Amell. She is confident she could do a proper job. Apparently, Misty, and Amell's two boys Jacob, 9, and Lucas, 6, are also eager to do their part. "The squirrels have taken to Misty and vice versa," said Amell. She said the dog watches over the two squirrels dutifully and is patient when they try to nurse from her even though she can't feed them. Instead, Amell supplies the animals with baby food for nourishment just like she did as a child when she encountered orphaned squirrels. Meanwhile, her two boys are eager to pitch in whenever they are needed. "They're helping and they love it. They're like, 'Mommy, can we feed them now?'" She believes the squirrels are about three weeks old and will need to be hand-fed for another five weeks or until they stop suckling. Amell, who lives in a north-end city apartment, said the orphaned squirrels will be moving again soon to her mother's home in the country where they'll have more room. They'll be accompanied by their adopted mother on the move, she said. "Misty is going out with them so when my mom's not home at least they'll have someone else with them." http://newsfeed.recorder.ca/cgi-bin/...acgi$rec=14495 __________________ YODA & WINKY R ::: Winky's 2nd Birthday! ::: Yoda's 6th Birthday! Last edited by fasteddie; 07-30-2005 at 09:12 AM.

07-30-2005, 03:35 AM	#2
Ashantay Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: England Posts: 116	Bad idea I think it is great that she wants to help the baby squirrels but the issues that arise from this are... 1) squirrel becomes used to humans and trusting bad idea as there are some pretty nasty people out there. 2) The squirrels become used to dogs. Another bad idea because there are so many dogs that will not look on them in the same manner as her lovely yorkie is and will in fact hurt them. I would refer them to a wildlife rescue who deal with this sort of thing myself as they are more able to rear them in a fashion where the squirrels do not become too human and animal friendly. Just my opinion though

08-16-2005, 05:19 AM	#3
centralnewyorki YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Central NY state Posts: 1,741	What a sweet story! __________________ Susan & Olivia Visit Olivia's Dogster Page!

08-16-2005, 10:25 PM	#5
jesscruz YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: seaside,ca Posts: 1,764	aaawww that is sucha sweet story! it just put a smile on my face! __________________ mommy's little baby coco bear

08-17-2005, 10:11 AM	#6
Josie's Mom and Jojo's too! Donating YT Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Watsonville, CA Posts: 1,209	I just think it's a real sweet story. __________________ Josie, Jojo & Veronica ...No Home is Complete Without a Yorkie...or Two!.. plus 4 more!

08-16-2005, 10:13 PM	#4
Junebug *Moderator Emeritus* Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,136	Very cute.. but what about rabies and stuff?

08-17-2005, 10:19 AM	#7
JCarlson2004 Mommy To 3 Poochies Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New York Posts: 8,189	What a lovely story!! __________________ Mommy Loves Codie, Tia & Baby Cali RIP My Precious Katie - I Love You

09-07-2005, 04:52 PM	#8
jenefor Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 136	Too cute I would love for a squirrel to move on in (of course it would get shots) I just love them.... I love stories where animals of a different breed take in others just goes to show that we al have the same basic needs. I just hope she doesnt plan on setting them free in the wild...they will never be able to survive in the world without its mother teaching survival skills

09-09-2005, 03:57 AM	#9
wollfy JereBo On the Go Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jax, Florida Posts: 1,094	Aw...Thats a sweet story.. __________________ Jhordan, Jane, Jeremiah, and Buddy

12-05-2005, 05:51 PM	#10
SnowWa YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 2,991	Don't worry about squirrels becoming too friendly with people. This happens on its own all the time. We have tamed many a squirrel to come and sit near us on our patio and take food out of our hands. I think the little guys should be released away from residential areas where dogs live. It is only the dogs that I would worry about ---not people. I think if they were let return to the wild (away from residential areas), they would adapt quickly to living a normal little squirrel life. And, they would learn quickly to run and stay away from dogs. Carol Jean __________________ http://tinypic.com/ipxhmb.jpg A Yorkie is worth a thousand words.