Lucky's Momma...

[mlkent]

Hello everyone! I am a new squirrel "mommy" and I just wanted to introduce myself and my little girl, Lucky. My husband found Lucky in our front yard while he was mowing in early March, (hence the name Lucky). She is the first squirrel that I attempted to hand raise and it has been a very wonderful and rewarding experience. It is amazing what kind of bond I have formed with her. I know that it is in her best interest to release her back into the wild, but I keep putting it off because of my own feelings. Could someone please share their release story with me and let me know a good way to get the process started? I am attaching a few photos of Lucky, one when we found her and one of her now. She is the best!!mjs

[mlkent]

Here is the picture of when we first found her.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Hi mlkent:wave123
:Welcome
Lucky is precious..
we all started with one sq!
I have been to Truman, actually the very first Sonic I ever went to was in or near Trumann /Searcy..:)
My Uncle was a State Tropper there years ago, Houston Talley(RIP).
We used to sneak to Memphis, the drinking age was 18 at the time:rotfl

We have several Ark members, but none up in your area!
Stacey, Ryglhart1 is in North central Ark, Flippin.

Just a heads up, sunflower seeds are high in Phosphorus and deplete calcium, which is a very important mineral needed in a sqs diet!
I would recommend a quaility rodent block. I actually buy a sq version from Henrys Healthy Pets http://henryspets.com/
The blocks sold on this site are made to order, all natural specifically for sqs!:thumbsup

We love pics...never enough!:multi
:Welcome :wave123

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

OH Boy is Lucky a cutie!!
She is too young to release yet.
What are you feeding her and what formula did you give as a baby and are you still or did she wean herself???

[squirrelfriend]

Yep, it all starts with one. Almost six years ago one four week old came crawling up our driveway. Now I'm obsessed with them. Your Lucky is absolutley adorable.

[mlkent]

She is weaned off of formula, she weaned herself. She just started refusing the bottle. I used Esbilac puppy formula when she was being bottle fed. She is eating alot of fresh fruits and veggies now. The sunflower seeds in the bowl was a first time, she didn't like them. She loves tomatoes!!

Her eyes opened on March 29, so I just guessed she was 5 weeks at that time. So that would make her 13 weeks old this week.

She loves to play and she gets a pecan for a treat. I clean her food out twice a day and refill it with fresh veggies and fruit..this week it is brocolli stems, celery, tomato, spinach leaves, apples, grapes (peeled), corn, carrots, and snow peas. I try to change it up and make sure she has a variety to choose from.

I bought some fresh cantaloupe and oranges today, she hasn't had that yet, hopefully she will like it.

Since it is legal in Arkansas to have a squirrel as a pet, I really want to keep her...but I know it is in her best interest to release her.

[mlkent]

I also give her Kay-Tee rodent block, usually 3 or 4 pellets a day. She knaws on them sometimes, but not alot. I have given her Special K cereal as well.

[island rehabber]

mlkent, she looks beautiful! Good job, mamma! You were fortunate not to have any problems with the Esbilac; it used to be THE formula for baby squirrels until they changed their processing, and then many many babies did not do well on it and actually died. I am glad your pretty girl had no problem with it. :thumbsup

Glad you found The Squirrel Board! :Welcome

[TheAngryMother]

she is ever so lovely!! i love her little strut she's got going- you can tell she knows she the queen :P

[mlkent]

Thank you everyone for the compliments on Lucky. She has definitely stole my heart. She is fiesty in the mornings but loves her afternoon belly scratch and cuddle.

Does anyone have any stories about keeping on as a pet?

[Skul]

Thank you everyone for the compliments on Lucky. She has definitely stole my heart. She is fiesty in the mornings but loves her afternoon belly scratch and cuddle.

Does anyone have any stories about keeping on as a pet?
We do. However, we usually try to aclimated back into the wild where they are better suited.
It's best to let heathy squirrels do that. We do have some that are not suited, and we care for them for their entire lives.
Yours does appear healthy, so please consider a release.

[mlkent]

Here is a new question for you.

I was playing with Lucky today and she would run from me then to me and just play around. Well after awhile she came right in front of me and laid down sprawled out. I rubbed her head and then she was ready to play again. Did she wear herself out and need a rest or what?

[CritterMom]

There is an entire thread here named "PANCAKE!!!" with pics of that exact move. It's a squirrel thing.:D

[mlkent]

I have a question, my family and I will be going to Florida for five days at the end of June. Will it be ok to have another "surrogate" to come over and feed Lucky? Or will she react badly with me not being here?

[mlkent]

Lucky giving me five...

:jump