**Warning: this may be emotional to some, get the tissues ready**
Where I am from I gained experience rehabilitating animals, especially flying squirrels. That's how I have my spoiled "Sky Kraken" and his "little brother". I have rehabbed many baby flying squirrels in the past. I have had many challenging times with rescues in the past. But sometimes you are not prepared for everything.
In 2014 I was given a very important and challenging situation. My sister's cat brought up this filthy flea and mite covered flying squirrel. First off, I have never had a flyer covered in fleas and mites, they spend way too much time in the trees to have mites. So that was a concern.
It wasn't a baby for once. It was a full grown adult flyer, but it felt so thin and bony. This little creature was so cold and so lethargic. It was hardly responsive. There was no blood, so no punctures from the cat, but that doesn't rule out internal injuries. With the state it was in, I was sure it was not going to survive the night.
I did the best I could to make it comfortable. I gave it a bath with a little dawn and tea tree to treat the fleas and mites. (I have other flyers I didnt want to get infested, so I had to treat it as best as I could) I kept it warm, and even offered it food.
After a few hours of having it, it started to eat a grape I stuck in its temporary "ICU" I had set up. Just seeing it eat changed the whole situation.
For once it went from grim to hopeful.
The first 24 hours are the hardest. Usually if they are injured or sick enough they wont live past 24 hours. 24 hours passed. It was still alive. It was becoming more aware of me as well. At some point I was able to determine it was a female. I knew she was older, but I was not sure how old.
After a day or two she was becoming more active, I noticed how she moved, she didn't move like the others. After watching her I realized she had an injured back leg. It was hard to notice at first but her foot was just slightly smaller than her other. I'm don't think it was injured by the cat, I believe it was most likely the reason the cat was able to catch such a fast creature. Its apparent she was sick, injured, or unwell when the cat found her.
I tried reaching out to the local vets and wildlife people. No one would take in squirrels of any kind. I'm from a state that will gladly shoot to kill, anything. I couldn't get any help. Vets told me to put her back out side to die. They all told me to let her die. Let her die? Just let her freaking die? I wish it was a joke but they wouldnt help. Not even to humanly put her down.
Whatever, I can do this on my own. I can see the improvement. I can see the potential. I can see this creature living a long happy life. And I was determined to make it happen. (Im tearing up while typing this, just keep reading.)
Her and I started taking things one day at a time, until she realized she had had enough of her dead injured foot getting in her way. She wanted to amputate. I'll spare you the details, but it was a slow process. I supplied her with some natural stuff to help her do what she felt she had to do. Foods that help with pain, foods that help with healing, etc. When she was done I doctored her up with a little bandage but it was so hard to keep on her.
She was finally more active, but I noticed she would mostly just roll to get around, or if she did walk/run/hop it would be in a circle, but she would still do a body roll.
She was then named Rolie.
Weeks have passed. I moved out of state, she moved with me. I did everything I could to make the move as least stressful on her as I could while she still healed.
Everything was fine, I thought... It wasn't good enough, what she did, I don't know why but she "operated" a second time. She went from ankle to right below her knee. Again, I dont know what had prompt her to do it, but I made sure she would be okay and wouldnt get an infection in the meantime.
That was the end of the troubles her leg. She was done with it. Once the tissue healed and covered it back up it was clear to me her mobility was improved. She knew what she was doing.
Over time we have spent so much time together. I love seeing how she reacts to her favorite foods and trying new things too. She may not be able to "fly" like a flying squirrel but she can get up and go. She lives in the cage with the two boys. Aside from typical nest mate rivalry they get a long. The boys take the top half of the cage to climb and jump around. While she takes the bottom half to run around in.
She enjoys attention from me and my friends, and loves sleeping on me. She loves her ear scratched and cheeks rubbed. Grapes, yogurt, and peanut butter are her favorite. I even have to be ready with a bottle cap full of water for when she eats too much peanut butter too. lol
Did I mention she loves yogurt?
She even had some vegan whipped cream once.
She even loves to run around in the grass outside. Thankfully she wont run away from me. She will actually run a few feet away before circling back and running back to me, not even to friends, but to me lol
Ignore the cheesy music, I didn't want my neighbors to be heard.
I have also learned over the years that not only is she 3 legged, she is missing a finger on one front paw, she is also partially deaf and blind. Her circles have gotten better but its believed that is actually caused from some brain trauma so it may never clear up no matter how well she gets around with 3 legs.
She is a super tough squirrel. She is inspiring to say the least. She has taught me so much over the years. If something so tiny with so many things holding her back can just keep going, then I can too.
Another lesson she has taught me is, sometimes going in circles will still move you forward if you are doing it right lol.
And yes, the princess is still very much alive, well, and so spoiled.
Happy "Rescue-Birthday" Princess Fur Nugget.
Never give up.
Kiss kiss meow,
Kitty
Here is a bonus clip for you. Ignore the cheesy music I didn't want my neighbors heard
