This gray squirrel hasn’t forgotten the family who gave her a second chance at life. For eight years, the nimble little animal would always pop by her saviors’ house to say hello. And the most incredible instance of this happened a few years back, when she came visiting with an injured foot—and a secret she exclusively revealed to her favorite humans.
When Brantley Harrison, of South Carolina, met Bella in October 2009, Bella was just a tiny 4-week-old gray squirrel.
Back then, Bella and her three other siblings—Larry, Curly, and Moe—were left in the care of Harrison, a volunteer with Wildlife Rehab of Greenville, following an owl attack.
Harrison and her family fed the badly injured baby squirrels with fruit, veggies, formula, and lots of nuts.
Gradually, the squirrels were nursed back to health and were released back into the wild in April 2010.
Harrison and her family didn’t expect to see the squirrels again.
But, amazingly, for the ensuing years, one of the squirrels—Bella—kept returning to pay them a visit.
“She comes almost daily for a little loving, treats, and to torment our dog, Cid, through the glass door,” said Harrison, according to WYFF4.
Harrison was surprised as there didn’t seem to be anything special about Bella.
“Her personality was not any different than any other squirrel I have ever raised while she was in my care,” Harrison told The Dodo.
Yet, unlike Larry, Curly, and Moe, the affectionate Bella had not forgotten how this kind family had helped in her time of need.
“Bella sits right at the front door waiting for someone to notice she has come by for a visit,” shared Harrison. “She has even resorted to jumping over to the dining room window to peer in for someone to see her.”
If Bella ever stops by Harrison’s house, she will sit on everyone’s laps and have a munch on some nuts. She doesn’t like to be petted though.
Ever since, Bella has become a part of the Harrison family.
Harrison loves sharing photos of Bella on Instagram. The photogenic squirrel looks so adorable with her little hat!
Then, one day in 2012, Bella visited with an injured foot.
Again, the Harrison family helped Bella to get back on track.
Just when Bella looked well enough to return to the wild, she gave the family a special surprise.
Bella gave birth to three tiny baby squirrels.
The bond between Bella the squirrel and the Harrison family is adorable, isn’t it?
Sadly, Bella hasn’t visited the Harrison family for quite a while, since April 2018.
Hopefully, Bella will drop by her saviors’ house to pay them a visit soon!
May Bella’s story inspire “at least one person to have compassion for all living things, no matter how big or how small,” Harrison said.
