It’s funny that the biggest dogs always seem to be the ones with the gentlest hearts! The small dogs have a reputation for being a bit yappy, but the big, lumbering pups are always the ones that seem to enjoy a good snuggling, right?
Well, the story below does nothing to change that stereotype, although it might make you more apt to adopt a baby chipmunk!
It details the unlikely friendship between a 115-lbs dog and an itsy-bitsy baby chipmunk.
One January, Kris Donnelly was hiking in the White Mountains when she noticed something strange. A creature was bumbling around the trail.
When she investigated more closely, she soon realized it was actually a baby chipmunk! Being exposed and in the open, the baby was clearly in dire peril.
Instead of leaving it to the elements, Donnelly took the baby in, hoping to find its mother.
After nearly an hour, however, there was no sign of the mother chipmunk. Instead of leaving it, they decided to save its life and bring it home with them.
They had just seen a few snakes and knew that if they didn’t, it was going to die. After getting it home, they began the slow process of rehabilitation.
Calling her friends who worked in animal rescue, they didn’t give the baby chipmunk a high survival potential.
Still, despite the odds, Donnelly lept into the challenge head first. Each day was spent feeding and nursing the tiny creature, hoping that it could get just enough formula to carry on.
Day after day they rehabilitated the tiny creature, hoping against hope. As odds would have it, they also seemed to have an “X Factor” on their side.
Charlie is a 115-lb dog who didn’t just tolerate the new baby, but actually welcomed it!
View this post on Instagram
In the early stages, Donnelly was very careful not to let Charlie too close. Despite his calm demeanor, you can never be too careful.
Still, he was content to sit and watch proceedings. Eventually, however, he showed that he was interested in loving this little chipmunk just as his owners were.
Soon, Kip (the baby chipmunk’s name) had begun burrowing down in Charlie’s fur like a best friend!
View this post on Instagram
The two unlikely friends seemed to have a connection that was hard to even put into words!
When Kip was feeling nervous or sleepy, his big, brown friend was the first thing he ran to. Donnelly thought that Kip might have found a type of motherly comfort in his furry friend.
Then, the worst happened.
Sadly, Kip began to get slower and slower each day. Lethargic and unresponsive, it was clear that Kip was in his last few days here on earth.
Then, sadly, Kip went to bed one night and didn’t wake up. The family was sad, but nobody took it harder than Charlie.
Donnelly figured she would find a way for Charlie to remember his little friend forever.
View this post on Instagram
After multiple nights spent sleeping under the cage looking for Kip, Donnely knew that she had to do something.
As a consolation, she bought him a small stuffed animal that looked just like his little friend! It wasn’t the same as having his striped buddy in real life, but it most definitely helped.
Make sure you check out the video below to see the unlikely pair’s sweet friendship!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
