We tend not to give much thought to wild animals born with deformities and disabilities because we just figure that Nature will take its course. “Survival of the fittest,” we say, throwing our hands up.
Of course, sometimes it is better to let the animal kingdom be. But every now and then someone comes across a little creature that’s survived against all the odds and they feel compelled to give it a hand.
In this story, that person is Canadian rancher Jannet Talbott. She owns Double J Freedom Ranch near Barrhead, Alberta.
View this post on Instagram
One day she noticed a little squirrel at her finch feeder. Normally, we all try to chase the squirrels away from that particular buffet, but Talbott noticed that something was off about the creature. I didn’t look right.
She went to get a closer look only to discover he had a horrific problem with his teeth. They had just kept growing and now they were so long that they were jutting out of his mouth.
His little tusks were even curling back into the poor guy’s mouth, making it impossible for him to chew his food.
We have to admit, we’re not sure what we’d do in such a situation. We don’t know any squirrel dentists. Is this a situation where you just wish him the best and maybe set out some separate food for him to much on?
Not for Talbott. She’s rescued many an animal and wasn’t going to stop now, even if her typical efforts went towards dogs!
View this post on Instagram
She wanted to see what could be done to help this squirrel so he might be able to chew his food. And as she told CBC News, one tooth was getting very close to his eye.
When we say she went above and beyond – we REALLY mean it! She decided to save the squirrel she named “Bucky.”
“One day, I saw him in the feeder. It was like divine intervention. I just had to reach in and grab him,” Talbott told The Dodo. “Once I had him in my hand, I just kept telling him, ‘I’m going to help you, Bucky. You’re going to be OK.’”
View this post on Instagram
Bringing him inside is one thing, but teaching yourself squirrel dentistry from Internet videos and actually doing some DIY dental work?! That’s commitment.
This poor little animal was about to get his whole life changed for the better.
Talbott wrapped Bucky in a towel and worked as gently as she could to file his little teeth down, which were much worse than she expected.
“I had no idea how bad they were,” she told the CBC. “All of his incisors — upper and lower — were all overgrown and were curling inside of his mouth. His two upper incisors were curled inside his mouth and they could have easily continued to grow right through the roof of his mouth.”
But she patiently worked away on the little creature.
And the results were miraculous – just look at Bucky before and after!
For those – like us! – who aren’t schooled in the nature of squirrel teeth, the CBC provided some background information:
“Squirrels have four front teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives. The teeth wear down naturally from the constant gnawing on nuts and bark.
But if the front incisors become damaged or uneven, the squirrel will struggle to keep them ground down and may develop huge fangs.”
Of course, not every squirrel is as lucky as Bucky, who managed to come across one of the few people who would take him in and give him a second chance.
And Bucky was very cooperative the whole time! (Apparently, squirrels have no feeling in their teeth – and perhaps he was simply too weak to put up a struggle or knew Talbott was a human he could trust.)
The dental intervention was successful, and Bucky was so happy to have the use of his teeth back!
“I put him back in the tree and he was so happy,” Talbott said. “He rubbed his little cheeks all on the bark like he couldn’t believe that tusk was gone. And when I saw him this morning. He was chattering away at me and he looks just fine.”
View this post on Instagram
Just look at this adorable little squirrel!
If we didn’t know better, we’d think he was smiling at his rescuer.
Talbott was happy to talk to the news about her good deed, but to her, it was no big deal. Just another day at the ranch for someone who loves animals and is dedicating their life to helping them live better lives.
Be sure to scroll down to see an interview with the kind tooth fairy herself.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
Source: @jannetleetalbott via Instagram, CBC News, The Dodo
H/t Little Things
