Wild Squirrel Comes Back Every Day To Visit The Man Who Saved Her

"I’ve been worried like a parent."

When Tyler Gregory found a little squirrel on his Kansas property last August, he knew he’d do whatever was needed to save the little life.

The baby squirrel was caught in a thunderstorm and had blown far from the safety of her nest and mom. Gregory brought the squirrel inside to warm up, but he was afraid she wouldn’t make it through the night.

“She was so tiny that her eyes weren’t even open yet,” Gregory told The Dodo. “We started bottle-feeding her with formula and hoping for the best.”

A baby squirrel blown from her nest
Tyler Gregory

Gregory and his girlfriend set their alarm to wake them every three hours and took turns getting up for the frequent feedings. Luckily, their flexible schedules allowed them the time needed to care for the squirrel, whom they named Annie. “It helps with our work schedule since I’m a musician and my girlfriend works on her art from home,” Gregory said.

Baby squirrel Annie at her rescuer's house
Tyler Gregory

During her first few weeks, Annie slept in a small cage with a heating pad to keep her cozy, and as she grew, so did the size of her crate.

But as soon as her eyes opened, the curious squirrel wanted more room to roam — and her dad was happy to appease her.

Gregory began taking Annie on frequent trips outside, where she could crawl around on the grass. Soon, the little squirrel was testing her strength by taking flying leaps from tree stumps and fence posts.

But no matter how far she went, she would always run back to her dad for some neck scratches and — her favorite — belly rubs.

“She was always very attached to us growing up,” Gregory said. “She would enjoy running around the house or running outside, but would always come right to us. Whenever folks would come over, I would have her say hello as she sat on my shoulder.”

Tyler Gregory

When Annie wasn’t riding around on her dad’s shoulder or crawling through the maze of his hair, she would hitch a ride on the back of her dog brother.

In November, Annie climbed her first tree — a clear sign to Gregory that she was getting ready to strike out on her own. However, inclement weather delayed her parting.

“We weren’t able to release her since she was a late bloomer and the winter started hitting hard,” Gregory said. “Her cage was still inside — however, on sunny days we would haul it outside so she could get used to the surroundings.”

Wild rescue squirrel adjusts to life outside
Tyler Gregory

Gregory wanted it to be Annie’s choice to leave the nest, so he started opening the cage door for her.

“We were nervous, but it needed to be done,” Gregory said. “I couldn’t stand seeing her in the cage anymore and she was starting to get wild rather than be a sweet little baby.”

Annie the squirrel snuggles her rescuer
Tyler Gregory

One day in March, he opened the door and Annie ran into the surrounding woods.

While Gregory and his girlfriend joked about Annie growing up and leaving for college, it still hurt to say goodbye. “I didn’t see her for about a week and got pretty sad that maybe she wouldn’t ever come back,” Gregory said.

But just like a kid moving away for the first time — Annie still wanted to come home for a free meal and to play with the dog.

“I opened the front door the other day and there she was!” Gregory said. “[She] came up and greeted me on my shoulder.”

“[It] made me very happy,” Gregory wrote on Reddit. “I’ve been worried like a parent.”

Their visit was brief, but it meant so much to Gregory to know Annie was happy and healthy.

“She spent some time with us for an hour and then went on her way,” Gregory added. “She has come back every day for a little while to enjoy getting spoiled with nuts and then goes on her way. She seems very happy and enjoys climbing the trees.”

“It warms my heart to know that she roams around but still enjoys home,” Gregory added.

To learn more about Annie’s adventures in the wild, you can follow her on Instagram.

Baby squirrels require expert care so, if you find one who needs help, make sure to contact a licensed wildlife rehabber near you for help.