When we went out last Thursday morning for our too-early first walk of the day, Cricket found something. At first I thought it was a dead mouse. Cricket has found dead mice a number of times, because we have feral cats on the property who are allowed to stay because of their great mousing skills. So, I thought it was a dead mouse and I yanked Cricket away from it quickly. It was curled up a few feet away from one of the huge trees on the property, up in the lightly wooded area where we are encouraged to walk the dogs. Butterfly did her usual standing around and listening to the raindrops thing – oh yeah, it was raining, lightly by then, after a night of heavy rain – and it was a lovely sound, the way the rain drops hit the leaves far over our heads. But I was still getting wet. The girls both did their business, and we were on our way back out of the woods when I thought I saw the dead mouse move an arm. I stepped a little bit closer, but I’m afraid of dead things so not too close, and that’s when I realized that it was a tiny squirrel and not a mouse, with a big head, and grey and white fur, and not only was one arm moving, the tiny squirrel was breathing. It was alive.
I wasn’t sure what to do. I had to take the girls back inside, out of the train, first and foremost. I left them standing in the hallway while I went down to the basement to throw away their bag-o-poop, and I looked through the pile of Amazon shipping boxes outside the garbage room. I like ordering things, but I am nothing compared to my next door neighbors (with the new baby) who have ordered so many things that they now have to move into a house to make room for all of it. I chose a small, shallow box, with the new-fangled air-pillow box-filler stuff, and I popped the pillows to use it as a squirrel grabber, in case it really was dead and only seemed to be moving because of the wind and rain, but also as a temporary blanket, in case it was actually alive.
The girls watched me through the glass front door of our building as I went back out into the rain, and up the hill, to where Cricket had found the baby squirrel. It was still there, and still getting rained on, and still faintly breathing and moving an arm, but just barely. I picked it up carefully, all the time worrying that I should leave it there, to die a natural death, or to be found by its Mom after whatever calamity had sent her away. But it was alive, and I couldn’t just leave it there to die.
I took the box of baby squirrel inside to the girls, and we walked up the stairs and into the apartment, and that’s when I realized that I had to wake up my mom. She’s not a fan of early mornings, and I would have let her sleep through the drama, except that I knew I’d have to leave for my internship in less than an hour, and I needed her help.
As soon as Mom saw the baby squirrel, breathing in the shallow box on the dining room table, she was wide awake and in Mommy mode. She took the baby out of the box and wrapped it in warmed up towels and held it while I googled. There are surprisingly specific and comprehensive baby squirrel manuals online. One was long and alarmist – with the basic gist being that I should have left her out there in the rain to die. The other manual was shorter, simpler, and more hopeful.
Then Mom called our vet’s office to ask them what to do. The woman who answered the phone said that they’d stopped working with their wildlife specialist and had no other recommendations, and, really, the baby squirrel was going to die. Mom persisted, though, and looked up other wildlife groups she’d heard of in the area, and left messages for them on email and voicemail. In the meantime, we prepared the rehydrating solution recommended in the baby squirrel guide and then and I used Butterfly’s supply of liquid medicine syringes to start bringing the baby back to life.
By the way, I am not an expert at identifying baby squirrel genitalia, but we later found out that she was a girl, so let’s just pretend I knew that from the beginning. We set her shallow box on a heating pad (on low), and filled the box with fabric from Mom’s quilting closet, because the baby squirrel guide said that regular towels could unravel and choke her.
I took care of Cricket and Butterfly’s morning routine, and made sure they got extra treats for all of their patience, and then I got myself dressed for work, charged my cell phone, and reluctantly left Mom to take on the burden of keeping the baby squirrel alive while I was away.
Cricket sniffing the baby
Butterfly, worried I’m giving her peanut butter to the baby.
I tried to talk about the baby with a fellow intern, but she looked non-plussed. “You brought a squirrel into your house?” She asked, looking at me like I’d slathered bloody entrails on my door posts. So I focused on being nice and pleasant and helpful all day, and tried to put the baby squirrel out of my mind. The room we work in is filled with windows, and I could see as the rain got heavier and heavier, so I thought, maybe, I’d done the right thing by taking the baby into a dry place. But my mind was still racing, telling me that I’d made a mistake bringing her inside, and she would die and it would be my fault. She had a fractured arm, and probably other injuries, she was cold to the touch, and her mother had abandoned her; who was I to think I could save her?
When I got home, Mom was sitting on the couch and the baby squirrel on her chest, squeaking away. Her eyes were still closed, but she was much more alert, climbing on Mom and grabbing her fingers with a paw. The baby had survived eight hours in our care, against all odds, and the next job listed in the baby squirrel guide was to move from rehydration to actual feeding. The guide said we needed Esbilac milk powder for puppies, and we should mix it with water and heavy cream to mimic squirrel mommy milk. I asked Mom if she wanted to go out and have a break from baby care, but she didn’t, so out I went again, in the rain and rush hour traffic, to find the puppy milk powder.
“Squeak!!!!!!!!!!”
When I came back, it was my turn to watch the baby. Her body temperature kept cooling down between feedings, despite the heating pad under her box, so Mom told me to hold the baby in my hands and try to keep her warm myself. I had to keep Cricket from sniffing too close, but Butterfly was largely uninterested in the baby; as far as she was concerned, there was no squirrel in the house.
After another few hours of rehydration, we mixed up a batch of the new squirrel baby milk, and watered it down according to the mathematical formula in the guide, and warmed it in the microwave until it was just right. The baby squirrel swallowed her milk through the syringe dutifully, only pulling her head away a few times.
I woke up every few hours overnight to feed her, and to check that she was still breathing, and when I woke up again at eight o’clock the next morning I realized that she’d survived more than twenty four hours with us. She even seemed to be a little more energetic, though that could have been my wishful thinking. Mom said, pointedly, that we shouldn’t name her and risk becoming too bonded, but she knew it was already too late.
We were still waiting for call backs from the wildlife groups a few hours later, when a friend on Facebook recommended calling other vets in the area, to see if they could help. The first one we looked up had the number of a local wildlife rescue, and when we called, they told us to bring the baby over right away.
By noon on Friday, we were on the road, the squirrel baby in her box on my lap, on our way to the rescue hospital. I kept my hand in the box to keep her warm, and she decided to crawl into my hand and snuggle.
When we reached the Wildlife center, I filled out forms about where I’d found the baby squirrel and the assumed circumstances of her injury (a fall from the nest in the storm seemed the most likely cause, especially when I found some of the nesting material a few feet away from where I found the baby). They gave me her rescue ID number and their email address and said that I could write to them for an update whenever I wanted, and then they took her away.
I was devastated, but also hopeful. I knew that the rescue hospital would be able to do a much better job than I could at treating her wounds and feeding her correctly. Giving her up was the right thing to do, but it was also awful, and painful, and I was starting to have trouble breathing. I was giving her the best possible chance to survive, though, and I had to hold onto that.
I waited a couple of days to give the wildlife center a chance to do their work, but then I got impatient for good news, and wrote to them.
This was the email I received from them on Monday morning:
Unfortunately, we had sad news about the baby squirrel. We brought her to our veterinarian right away who confirmed that she did have a fractured humerus (one of the bones in her arm). In addition to the fractured arm, she also had lung contusions caused by trauma from the fall. We began treating her right away for the fractured arm and respiratory issue, but sadly, she was so badly injured that she passed away overnight that night.
While not the outcome we had hoped for, we are glad you brought her to us so she was able to get treatment and passed away in a quiet and peaceful place rather than outside in the wild.
Thank you again for caring about her and bringing her to our center.
I read it over again a few times, to take it in, because the words were not making sense at first, and then I just cried until I couldn’t cry anymore.
On Tuesday Morning, Cricket found another squirrel, this time a full grown adult, and this time, it was dead. My first, and enduring, thought was that this must be the baby squirrel’s mother. Maybe they both fell in the storm on Thursday morning, and it took the mother longer to feel the effects.
We dug a hole for her, and covered her with dirt, to keep her safe from predators. I couldn’t think of a prayer to say, all I could think of to say was, “This is for baby squirrel.”
And it was.
p.s. Many of these pictures were taken by Naomi Mankowitz (AKA Mom)
rachelmankowitz 
Beautiful! And thanks for all the adorable pics, Mrs. Mankowitz (AKA Mom)! 🙂
Thank you, from me and Mom!
Rachel the goodness of your heart must be powerful, it always seems to overrule those negative whispers we all get inside our heads. While the outcome was sad, even a squirrel knows when it is being shown love and caring. Much better the presence and warmth of your and your mother’s hands than to be in pain alone in the rain. I’ve done human and animal hospice work for years and know how important this is. Hugs to you, Mom and the girls.
Hospice work is an incredible field to go into, to risk that level of heartbreak everyday. Wow.
Oh, it broke my heart that she died, but you and your mother are wonderful people and did what needed to be done to give the baby a loving time in her short life.
Thank you so much!
I’m so sorry. This made me cry. But your heart shows how hard you tried! It’s all Mitzvah’s and good karma Rachel. Who knows who this little squirrel may come back as, and thanks to your kindness, do good deeds. xoxo
That’s a wonderful thought!
hello rachelmankowitz its dennis the vizsla dog hay as a dog i of korse kannot kondone enny skwirrel relayted endevors but stil!!! i am choked up abowt the baby skwirrel and her mama!!! i hope they ar toogether now over the rainbo bridj!!! ok bye
Me too, Dennis. Me too.
I found this post sad because of its ending, but very beautiful and moving because of the way you acted from beginning to end. It is thanks to people like you that our world is still not all too bad. And your writing is delightful! You had me captivated from the very beginning to the end. Thanks 🙂
Thank you so much!
I’m so glad you picked this sweet squirrel up and gave her a chance. What great pictures you and your Mom got. The life cycle is so difficult. I found a baby bird and kept her going for about 10 days before I got her in to a rescue. I absolutely sobbed when I released her to the rescue, so I feel your pain. Somehow that little squirrel knows you did right by her and appreciates you and your Mom’s efforts.
I hope so! Thank you!
Thank you for your kindness to the little creature.
Thank you!
Like mensch mother like mensch daughter. (and the two mensch doggies). Blessings on you all….
Thank you!
We reared a baby squirrel too for nearly 2 – 3 months before it too passed away peacefully in its crib. We also found it on the streets with no mommy around. We had named ours Jerry.
Wow!!!!
I am so sorry that the outcome wasn’t better, but you and your mom did a wonderful think in trying to save its life. Bless you!
Thank you!
What a wonderful adventure and how movingly told, Rachel. You did everything you could for the tiny creature and she graced your lives before she went to her rest. Though it’s sad she didn’t make it, it wasn’t because you overlooked anything. Remember: never regret the good that you do! Pip and the boys
Thank you so much!
Amazing story & such dedication to saving the squirrel. You are amazing! What a sad outcome after all of that.
Thank you!
So sorry the outcome wasn’t better. You did all you could.
Thank you!
So glad you took care of her while she needed warmth and love. Thank you for being such a wonderful and caring person. So sorry to hear she did not make it. You and Mom were wonderful and I just know she felt the love. 🙂 Take care.
Thank you so much!
Little Baby Squirrel! Thank you for your kindness! this is such a beautiful and touching post!
Thank you so much!
Bless you and know you will be rewarded for your kindness to a fellow creature, even if it was her time to go after spending such a short time on our planet.
You are fortunate in the fact that at least you were able to find a wildlife rescue willing to take her. Last rummer I found a woodpecker who kept trying to climb up one of my giant oaks and kept falling to the ground. After many failed attempts to capture it in a towel, I drove to a bargain store where I had seen butterfly nets, hoping I would return to find it recovered and gone. on about its woodpecker business
Alas, no. so I caught it and put in in a cat carrier lined with a towel. I made tons of calls to wildlife groups and either they didn’t answer,or required me to leave a message that was never returned, It was still alive the next morning but showing signs of shock. I brought it to two nature preserves in the area and was told they did not rehabilitate. One told me the motto to live by is “If you care, leave it there.” and someone else that this was Mother Nature’s way of doing things.
I ended up returning home, taking it, cat carrier and all up into my woods and leaving it there. When I checked days later, the carrier was empty. Either it recovered on its own, or fell prey to a predator. I like to imagine the former..
I’d like to imagine the former as well. I don’t understand the philosophy, from humans, that we should just leave things to mother nature. Do we EVER leave things to mother nature when we believe that they impact US? If that woodpecker could possibly make money, or solve global warming, we’d kick mother nature aside in a second.
What good souls you and your mom are. No act of kindness is ever wasted.
Thank you! I hope you’re right!
Lovely post. I was so hoping that the little girl would make it. Alas it was not to be. Thank you so much for your compassion.
Thank you! I was hoping for her too.
Wow!! What an adorable pics 🙂 🙂
Thank you!
What a lovely effort of you and your mum. No happy ending still you gave it your best shot. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you!
DRAT! I am so sorry. I am bummed she didn’t make it. I think you did a WONDERFUL thing, a selfless thing. That was so kind of you. And your mom took AWESOME pictures. They are so sweet. She was such a beauty. And, as the center said, she was warm and cared for. I am sorry your heart got wounded, but I hope you stand firm in knowing you did a good thing!
I keep looking at the pictures over and over. So cute.
Thank you! I’m so glad we have those pictures of her. She was a very special little girl.
How good of you both.
Thank you for a good telling of your efforts.
John
Thank you!
What a lovely soul you are, Rachel. Unfortunately, that never seems to go with having a thick skin, so it’s a burden as well as a gift.
It is. Thank you.
Beautifully told and touching story, Rachel.
Thank you!
I’ve tried over the years to rescue baby birds, but have never been successful. I’m sure you made its little life more bearable. Sorry for your loss.
I hope I helped a little bit. Thank you.
Oh I am so sorry! I was really hoping for a happy ending, I can imagine how you must have felt. But I agree with hospital, how lucky that baby squirrel was to have all the love and attention and care, rather than being left ignored to die alone. Well done Rachel and Mankovitz mum xxxxx
Thank you so much!
At least the little one knew love, warmth and kindness before she passed away instead of fear and pain. We feel the loss because we felt the love. Thank-you, to you & your mom for being so caring to the little soul.
Thank you! She was such a beautiful little soul.
Thank you for both sharing and caring, so beautifully!! ❤
Thank you!
What a sweet, little thing. I’m glad you took the time to care for her. It’s so sad that she’s gone, but be comforted knowing she passed from this world loved and in much less pain than she would have in the wild.
That is such a lovely thought!
You ARE sweet Rachel. So sorry that she didn’t make it, but yes as others have said, you gave it love!
Thank you!
*hug* 😥
Good on you Rachel, the world need a few more people like you. Funny how the attitude of some can be towards animals. You gave her all you could. She felt safe leaving this world, thanks to you.
Thank you so much!
Fou Rachel, you made me cry. Beautiful story. If God hears the least sparrow fall, I know he heard the baby fall and gave it to you for its final hours.
Thank you so much!
I am a squirrel lover and I send you a hug for taking care of the baby…she had some love, and that’s what matters! Thanks and thanks to Mom.
Thank you!
This made me tear up. I work with veterinarians, friends of mine do wildlife rescue. It’s very hard to do this. But you did a great thing, the last moments of her life were spent warm and with hope. And you didn’t do what most well-intended people who love animals do: keep her and try to domesticate her. You did the right thing. ❤️
Thank you!
This is such a beautiful act of kindness .I am so sorry for the tragic end .
Thank you. me too.
I’m so glad you were there for the poor thing. I am sorry how it ended. In the end she had warmth, comfort, and compassion. This is what we are doing right now for a stray cat with a liver problem. Even if what the vet is doing doesn’t work at least we know she had some beautiful care at the end.
She’s such a lucky cat!
Every living thing deserves a chance – thank you for trying and making the effort to find a wildlife rehab outfit.
Thank you!
Rachel, you and your Mom are good people. I’m so sorry it wasn’t a better outcome.
Thank you!
You tried. That is what matters. Instead of being alone and cold in her final hours you gave baby squirrel warmth and comfort. What a blessing.
Thank you!
So sorry for the outcome of your baby squirrel experience. A few years ago, we rescued three babies whose mother was nowhere to be found, and they were definitely weak and fading. We nursed them overnight and then brought them to the wildlife nature center the next morning. Wasn’t thrilled to learn they all had a bad case of fleas…but the center took them and eventually let us know that 2 out of 3 made it and were released into the wild. Last year, a squirrel ate through all the electrical wiring on my car. Twice. They lost some of their cuteness with me after that. Though I know sure as I’m typing this that if I found another baby squirrel, I’d help all over again. I’m glad your little one had the kindness that she received from your family and the center before she passed. You helped her no matter the outcome.
Babies, of every species, need to be cute, so that while we’re taking care of them we’ll forget that they will eventually, hopefully, become adults.
A sad ending but you did all you could. Poor little thing, and its mum too.
Very sad.
Such a big ❤️ ! So sad, but your efforts so heartwarming!
Thank you so much!
What a terribly sad story. 😦
I know. But she was beautiful.
Well worth tears! Thanks, Rachel.
Thank you!
I know I’m quite late in commenting on this post. It touched me very much. I’m sitting here crying as I read it, in fact.
Even though the ending was very sad, it was so wonderful, giving, caring, and loving for you and your mom to take in that baby squirrel. In some ways, it might have been easier to leave her outside so that you didn’t have to deal with the heartbreak of loving her (even for a little while) and then hurting when she was gone. But because of your kindness and your Mom’s kindness, you gave that scared little creature peace, warmth, and security. Those were the last things it knew in this world, and that is a beautiful thing. Cyberhugs to you and your mom!
Thank you so much!
What a wonderful story, although very sad at the end. Thanks for sharing with us.
Thanks for reading!
I’m glad you tried your best! Wildlife rehab can be such a fine line..
We were so lucky to find them.
In my opinion, alleviating suffering in the world is always the right thing to do. On behalf of all animals, wild and tame, thank you for caring.
Thank you!