When Alexandra first met the baby squirrel, Alvin, the security guard who found him worried he might not make it. But Alexandra was determined to give that baby a fighting chance.
Alvin was severely dehydrated, had a bloody nose and had a cut on his leg when he first arrived at Alexandra’s home. Alexandra had never taken care of a squirrel before, so she started researching as soon as she brought him home.
She found out from a vet that the baby squirrel would need milk every two to three hours every day. For two weeks Alexandra woke up every two hours to feed the baby.
And after those two weeks, her efforts paid off. Alvin’s eyes finally opened, and he started exploring his home on his own, but no matter where he went, he never strayed far from his adoptive mom.
Though she had taken care of Alvin since he was an infant, Alexandra had no intention of keeping Alvin indoors. “Alvin was always free,” said Alexandra. “Alvin always decided when to go.”
As Alvin got older, Alexandra would take him outside and allow him to venture into the forest on his own. But every evening at 5 p.m., Alexandra would find the squirrel waiting for her at the base of the tree.
Alexandra knew there would be a day when Alvin chose to live outside permanently, but the potential loss was worth it for Alexandra. “Seeing him free, seeing him independent, that makes me happy,” said Alexandra.
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