The Story of Peaches the Squirrel

[@LordRusty5]

Decades ago, I raised a Gray Squirrel, and named her Peaches. Such a coincidental name! She lived with me for about 14 years!

[@mattmertz]

Our daughter picked the name. I'm glad you had so much time with your Peaches.

[@Rlip]

That is one happy squirrel def a daddy’s girl too ❤

[@lindadunstall1790]

Ohhhhh, SO CUTE!!! I loved the video. As an animal lover, I have rescued a few birds & had a few domestic animals as pets including an Angora goat, dogs & a cat. We are glad you could provide the care Peaches needed as a baby, a juvenile & when injured. So pleased she was able to return from the wild as a visitor. God Bless this family 🙏🥰🦘🦘

[@renejustice886]

Not only did you make a difference in Peaches’s life……look at what you taught your children 💕💕💕💕💕

[@dorissparrow8869]

This world would be a better place with more caring people like you. ❤👍

[@kathyelliott6051]

If only people help each other like this what a wonderful world it could be ....💕

[@nameshkumar6233]

😘

[@carnessbenkel9538]

I raised a squirrel for five years. I released him on 13 acres when we moved to the property I moved his ferret condo on our back deck so he could come and go as he please. He was such a joy to be with He chose me as his mate just like Peaches chose your husband as her mate. I would always put out fresh water and food in his ferret condo. If I worked at night I would go out on our deck when I got home place my hand on the bottom of his two chamber sleeping sack and I could feel him sleeping there. He would come back when I call him and he would lay flat back between my thighs and I would pick all the fleas off of him. Finally one day he stopped coming Circle of life! I miss him! He was precious and I looked so forward to seeing him and he loved me. I was his mate his friend and he did reach the point where he did not want my husband near me. Very possessive! When you raise a squirrel You will never forget them. His name was Baby Benkel! I will never forget him! 💜He was my baby. Females like yours when they go in heat males are unrelenting the males gang up on them. Mother Nature. I still have squirrels come on our deck that I feed they jump on our patio doors too let me know their hungry. I’am sure some of those squirrels are his descendants. I loved your detailed video. You should write a children’s book. Where I worked I dealt with the public and the children loved to hear the story about Baby Benkel! When they would return children would always ask me about Baby Benkel!

[@ws4860]

YOU should write the children's book :D

[@mattmertz]

Thanks for sharing your story. I can definitely say raising a baby squirrel will change the way you look at animals. I didn't put this in the video but this time was during the covid lock downs. So having her around was such a little blessing and stress reliever.

[@marilyn6979]

hope he was ok .but understand. .and u should write a book!

[@mubinahamid8525]

Loved your story.

[@Aisha-721]

The squirrel makes cute little noises.

[@thundercloud7850]

Honestly, you guys are so lucky! I'd give anything to enjoy, care for and love a cutie like Peaches. I hope she keeps coming home to you for a long time.

[@Aisha-721]

Me too

[@pattic8473]

Sweet story. You nurtured her to health but also encouraged her to go outside and be a squirrel, Now she knows she has the best of both worlds.

[@alondathomas293]

That was so cute how she was grabbing onto the syringe while feeding. It's interesting to see a squirrel being raised day by day for once, lol.

[@candacekelland2268]

I would not have let her go into a world where she could get hurt

[@TheInternetHurtMyFeelings]

​@candacekelland2268😢😢 I know I myself have a baby squirrel and it's a tough decision that I don't want to have to make later down the road

[@JacindaH]

My husband found a baby girl by the wood pile. We waited for her mother but she never came back so she's ours now. I know I'll have to release her...but I'm not sure where to start. We don't have a rescue out here...and I'm so in love. Thank you for sharing this. ❤

[@waltherrodriguez5066]

Fortunately "Peaches" found a wonderful family who take care of her and love her like one more son... God bless you always for such a wonderful legacy for your next generations 🙏 Walther: from Colombia, S.A.

[@henryjames5663]

All living beings are sentient, and that awareness can make all our lives even better

[@mattmertz]

I believe you are correct.

[@meganvinson4908]

Beautiful story ❤❤❤3 years ago now!!!+

[@goddammitalana]

You guys made an INCREDIBLE difference In her life when she needed help the most! You obviously prepared her very well for squirrel life!

[@michaelschmidt5702]

SOOO ADORABLE OVERCUTE 😍🥰🥰😍and thanks soo much for rescuing and caressing him: SOO GREAT AND HONORABLE! 👍🙏

[@feluxjohn3236]

What this man an his wife did for these two animals is very beautiful and heartwarming but 5he lessons they taught their daughter about life it's value and respect for all of God's creatures is PRICELESS. When their daughter is of age society will be blessed with a beautiful caring and wonderful human being. Notice throughout the video there is no negatively but a classroom of learning, living and caring. WOW!

[@mattmertz]

Thank you for the kind comment.

[@feluxjohn3236]

@@mattmertz The thanks goes to you. RESPECTFULLY!

[@kimberlymarie3651]

This is a heartwarming story . You've nursed her as a baby until she grew up . She knew where to go when she was injured; back to her family. When you do release Peaches as an adult to go live a happy squirrel life , I believe Peaches will always stay close to home and/or go on short adventures, but Peaches will always return to visit you for as long as she lives because you're her family. One day Peaches may bring her babies home to visit you. You and Peaches have created a lifelong bond . Thank you for sharing your beautiful story to warm our hearts at a time when so much of the world is negative, dark, and gone crazy. It's also renewed my faith in humanity, there is good people left in this world :)

[@Liberty4all2024]

Love snickers & love Snickers the dog. SWEET Peaches

[@jackrusselpupper1979]

A very special comment you have given to the Peaches family and to us all who had loved watching the “Story of Peaches.” How lucky this family was/is to have had the warmest and sincerest relationship with the one very special squirrel! I am living vicariously via this share. So, Thank You Peach’s human family.🙏😊👍❤️🍀

[@michaelvaughn8864]

Probably so, Ms. Marie. Peaches may very well reside somewhere near home

[@coryhaywood6420]

Absolutely well said and demonstrated. Brings tears to joy to my eyes and my heart is beating hard now thank you for sharing this is your mom is like this where it feels good to be alive. And we only feel alive if we're doing something for help over someone else or another

[@StragglerTx]

Terrible story imo , they raised it as an inside pet then let sent it to the wolves later with no knowledge. 😡

[@jackm6307]

Delightful. I did a rescue of two fairly old siblings that my brothers cat caught. One died that day, and the other was in fairly good shape, and I figured it would be weeks before he wasnt afraid of me. Two days later he was reaching out for me each time I walked by the cage. I let him out and we were instant buds...one of the best pets ever. I didn't want to release him in the bad neighborhood I lived in, but after he was full grown, he had his own ideas about that, and released himself. He should have made it just fine.

[@briedah7278]

Sweet little peaches 🍑 🐿…loved this. I cried when Dottie died 😢 thanks 🙏

[@sixslinger9951]

she may have asperated on the milk.

[@peterford9369]

So sorry about Dottie. We too found a squirrel baby that a neighbor cat was starting to play with. We know how that probably would have gone. Hairless and closed eyes we did what y'all did, and he survived and grew fine. He imprinted on us so we were his parents and family. They are so loving and innocent it's easy to fall in love with them. So we know how y'all felt. After 13 months he was out on our front porch, stilt house, and another squirrel came up and started interacting with him.we believe she was a female . After about two weeks of hanging out in a tree branch off the porch, they disappeared. We figured he'd come of age and got hitched, haha. We see squirrels always in the trees off the porch and figure they're his kids. He'll never be forgotten, this was about 20 years ago. And it seems like yesterday. We can only imagine it was a fantastic time for y'all like it was for us. But they have to be free. And we wish them all the best.❤

[@mattmertz]

Thanks for your comment. I know how you feel. Raising that little squirrel was a very special moment in our lives that we'll cherish forever.

[@patricewomack4632]

Omg! I love the bench!❤😂😊

[@LightsOn128]

Loved this story. Got so caught up in it that I was crying when she got hurt. What a loving family to open your heart to save her and to just love her. Love abounds in the most unlikely ways.

[@thompsonsmith7798]

Hello Kathy How are you doing today?

[@mariagomez3297]

My I did the same almost cried the way she eats nuts and fruit it’s so cute had gerbils and feed them normal food for gerbil but treat them with sunflower seeds and grab them with their tiny hands unforgettable

[@susiekane215]

Awe she is so precious and adorable!! 💖I'm so glad that you saved that little squirrel thank you so much! 👋👍🥰♥️💖♥️♥️💖♥️💖♥️💖♥️💖♥️💖♥️💖❤️

[@5-minute-witness356]

What an adorable little squirrel and what a beautiful family and story. Thank you!

[@aucourant9998]

The fact she had that encounter and survived was a good thing because it was a lesson that there are very dangerous things out there she can't trust. She would be much more wary and guarded in the future and would give her a better chance of survival in the wild.

[@candacekelland2268]

I live out in the country and have alot of squirrels and rabbits I feed and have water running all the time for them. Sometimes hundreds of birds stop by for water

[@daisycocoa2557]

My mother did the same with three orphaned baby squirrels in our front yard in the woods. As adults they were released into the same tree they fell out of. One would occasionally come down the large tree to meet my mom. One day my dad came home for lunch and found our family dog outside with the dead squirrel in his mouth near the tree. We never saw our gentle dog who let kittens sleep on his back, be small animal aggressive before. Don’t trust any dog with your squirrel and certainly don’t teach the squirrel to not regard a dog a threat.

[@vismivijayan6361]

Maybe he was just trying to carry the squirrel's body for you to see

[@walkingdeadbarbiedoll]

Reading the story this is exactly what I thought too! Sounds like he was trying to bring his brother home. Not the one who hurt it. But who knows.

[@louise9973]

Put them in a wool hat and inside your shirt so they can hear a heart beat it helps calm them. That goes for any small young animal, puppies, kittens, birds, hedgehogs mice etc

[@loisgreene5545]

We just found an abandoned baby. We named her Nutella and she is about 4-5 weeks. Your video is priceless to us and have given us great ideas. Thank you.

[@ruthbriggs5372]

That was time well spent, The downs, the ups, the downs again! and a happy ending ❤ Peaches is a Daddy's girl too, typical, poor Mama! x

[@rccastro8297]

You are definitely human Angels! Blessed with these fur babies! Peaces is Not a wild squirrel! Please let her remain with her hoomans where she is safe!!!

[@JanBanJoovi-ol1qv]

People who takes care of innocent animals are usually good natured people, regardless of their social status.

[@mattmertz]

I grew up poor so thank you for that observation.

[@welllll...ok...]

Tip for other people doing something similar: you can put a grip around the syringe so they have something to grab onto. A bandaid works.

[@susieg4624]

Brilliant! (Another time you might want to let her rest her front paws on your finger when giving her milk. She's used to support from mum's tummy plus it puts a strain on her neck and mouth if the syringe is keeping her upright as well as feeding her.)

[@chrisberry9017]

That was an utter joy! Thank you all for your kindness and dedication.

[@sassaraowalter5241]

Oh . A beautiful story .

[@akkirampura1]

Your family is blessed to have such an interaction with cute little one

[@mattmertz]

I agree! It's probably a once in a lifetime encounter.

[@jjjones1960]

I’m so glad that she returns to see you every once in a while. They are very smart animals! Thank you for rescuing her! ❤️❤️🌹❤️❤️

[@LaurieGistafson]

What. And adorable squirrel little sweetheart and thanks for taking care of her now she has a family god bless you

[@SquirrelWhisperer1]

😮 right to the start you squirrel are a thief because stolen you heart..is very adorable.

[@crystalmoreland4701]

Such a amazing story and adorable pics of peaches.. Shes so precious and ty for loving her enough to help her..i love squirrels and respect them sooo much

[@mattmertz]

Thank you. Raising her has completely changed the way I see squirrels. They're the best.

[@crystalmoreland4701]

@@mattmertz so welcome.. I love them.. Have fun with her..

[@wendysomers810]

I love the little picnic table attached to the tree!

[@crazybrown2293]

I have 2 squirrels..my 1st one PJ male was captured by our dogs..my daughter and friend rescued bout 4 years ago now..he is partial blind n can't jump..my little one baby roo I've had her bout 4 mths now..we were hit by a tornado then n she was in its path...she was the only survivor from her family..she is a handful and makes pj seem hes jus charmin...PJ is very moody lol attacks anything and everything that moves except mee...well sumtimes he attacks but my squirrels they are so amazing and make Mee smile when im feelin depressed etc.. Best pets ever..

[@DebraStoute-y7n]

I could see by the way Dottie fed that it was probably not going well for her ( failure to thrive). Peaches is so cute ❤ Thank you 😊

[@mattmertz]

Good observation and true about Dottie. :(

[@annenamishia9902]

This is so special. I would love to get one. But never with my dogs. They look out the window and go crazy

[@mattmertz]

Our dog somehow knew she was part of the family.

[@johannamarsh8464]

Thank you for your kindness! ❤️

[@RP-ms7lu]

So cute, Squirrel and small birds have many enemies . Nice good work to save that tiny baby.

[@Cal222]

Love this story. My sister and her husband rescued a baby squirrel, my sister takes in any animal, at any time, no matter what, she has such a huge heart, and always knows exactly what to do. I am a little afraid of the release process once temperatures get warmer.. I know it’s going to break her heart, to let him go, but she knows it’s the right thing to do. A wild animal, should be just that…wild. Bless people like you and people like my sister who take care of the little one’s that can’t take care of themselves ❤️

[@mechanicswife]

Both of those babies, are beautiful, and I’m so sorry you lost them Both, my husband and I are getting ready to have to release one ourselves and I’ve already started getting attached to the one we have, and named her munchy, because she likes to munch on my fingernails and my fingers, I just pray that when we let her loose nothing bad happens to her, God bless y’all

[@georgecalvintharcisius586]

First of all, thanks for sharing also caring for animals,. God bless all of you. Amen 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌❤❣️😘

[@ritalawson7020]

She will always be your baby girl ❤❤❤❤❤ i love watching the video again

[@garyorlikowski8037]

What a wonderful lesson for your daughter, I'm sure she'll carry this on through adulthood, a heart a warming story she will pass along to her children.

[@kathyturner6177]

You guys are the best and teaching your child to respect nature is the sign of a wonderful parent. Your daughter will always remember these days with Peaches.👍🏻👍🏻🥰🥰

[@joedirt1213]

What a beautiful story, a big thank unto this family for sparing her life❤

[@MattyDemello]

Aww. I actually shed a tear when she knew she was hurt and had to run back to her family to help save her. It would've been the hardest thing if she had passed before they found her. That would have been so sad. Hope she's doing well now. Been a year since this video

[@ToyotatechDK]

Squirrels are one of the most beautiful animals I can think of

[@papabear9481]

That was cool to watch, but it's sad that you never saw her again after that last time. I understand why you hoped she had moved to the hill behind your house.

[@mattmertz]

You are incredibly insightful, sir. I agree.

[@timd4688]

They say you can tell a lot about people by the way they treat elders, kids and animals. Good job!

[@pamtebelman2321]

Lovely! Thank you for being so kind to animals!

[@jamesbryant6735]

Daddy been gone 6 years now, when he was in the 6th grade he took his pet squirrel to school every day. He wood have been 97 now. P.S. his name was 'Come On'

[@robertreed3835]

That was a great video thank u for saving her life. She seems verry happy n injoying its life. ❤

[@louisemichel9999]

Bonjour 🐕, les petits Animaux son formidable, en plus il n’ont pas peur des humains, les Écureuil vive avec les humains il ont l’avantages d'être bien nourrit de vivre au chaud. Les gros Animaux sont très sociales du moment que l’on vient pas avec un Fusil. Je vie avec un adorable Chihuahua je ne l’ai pas dresser il a su trouver sa place dans la maison 🏠, dans le 🛌 lit, dans la voiture 🚗 il est formidable d’amour. Amitiés 🐕 🐕 🐕

[@richburris8362]

Love the story, brought tears to my eyes, thank you for peaches and you for caring.🐿️🐿️🐿️🐿️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍👍

[@uuzd4s]

There are a lot of animals that lose their way in the wild when raised by humans. It's nice to see a wild critter able to do both so well.

[@minnabinna123]

Love this story. Also love that the parents took care of the babies and didn’t let the kids or play with tiny peanuts and just admired from close by. I love to see videos like this where people genuinely care for wellbeing for the baby animals and do their best ❤❤❤

[@A.B.C.58]

most grateful, playful, beautiful. thanks for sharing. thanks for rendering assistance for its growth. wish you all the very best.💯👌👍🙌🙌🙌🤝🤝🤝

[@KristenHansen-m1c]

Every one of us needs a little help from time to time and giving her a leg up was a wonderful thing for you guys to do. Your act of kindness makes you legendary.

[@mattmertz]

Thank you :)

[@pashkracken4054]

She's clearly a Daddy's girl...awwww

[@eikoqdupree101]

Peaches is definitely a daddies girl. She makes so happy..a adorable bond. You all are kind and dedicated family. May God everyone .A💋 for Peaches.

[@lexistapleton687]

I raised 3 baby squirrels after a cat attacked a nest. I had no idea, how deeply I would fall in love with them. They are so precious. Mine got a soft release, they had to learn to make a nest and gather food for the winter. They are also susceptible to other adult male squirrels who will attack and kill them, so fast. Raising babies was hard, but very rewarding.

[@kathyinwonderlandl.a.8934]

What a wonderful lesson for your children to see how well you respect life..great parents🥰

[@PatrickRPetru]

I had a Pet Squirrel 🐿️ too. I let him go to to the trees around the house. I miss him. He would hide in my shirt, he would sleep with me in the bed. He comes to eat Pecans, Grapes, Chips, .

[@sampaguita2056]

My heart melts down how kind these people , rescuing this newly born or a 3 days old baby squirell . growing up was little bit amazing to watched and sometimes puzzled with his incredible moves .

[@lindastanley229]

Thankyou for all the love and care you have given to peaches she is adorable and clearly loves you just as much as you do her.what an emotional journey.much love to all of you xxxx

[@thompsonsmith7798]

Hello Linda How are you doing today?

[@sheilaprice1942]

Blessings to you and family 🙏🏼😍

[@LeoRousseau]

This was such a great story for my wife and I. We watched it from beginning to end and like others have said, it's very heartwarming! I never would have thought that they could become that attached to human beings. That's awesome! Thanks for sharing your story of Peaches! Glory to Ukraine! ♥️🇺🇦🐿️🇺🇸♥️

[@swiftbobber]

Zelensky is scum. The media is complicit.

[@AB-speaks]

Great job Sir.... your heart is full of kindness..... God bless you

[@vivekshukla4044]

...Thanks to your generous family including peaches...👍👍

[@mariamejia4020]

This is a sweet story, 🍑 peaches is part of the family, and she knows it. thanks for sharing.

[@MirianMendez-c8l]

Que hermoso ver que existen personas tan caritativas qué con mucha paciencia luchan por salvar sus vidas. Son seres inocentes y necesitan de nuestra ayuda. Gracias por rescatarla y salvarla. ❤❤❤❤

[@traciesimmons8592]

Natural habitat is comfortable, continue to be friends as well . 🐾

[@tylerlawlerDEVGRU]

Drew a cartoon squirrel named 'Feddy' at western state, as well as others.

[@justme-zm2vv]

Thank God for kind folks like you

[@mattmertz]

That's kind. Thank you.

[@Myhandlenamehasbeentaken]

8:39 I Love that you trained your dog to watch over her when they are outside. Peaches has the best Security peanuts could buy lol

[@helencline5768]

Thank you,you are beautiful inside & out…🙏🙏🙏👍

[@crowwatcher172]

A work of love, thank you for being special.

[@jaynesegman7847]

So cute. I always tap my car horn, when squirrels or other animals cross. It works. 🐿️🐿️🐾

[@cristinarobinson2339]

Preciosa historia. Gracias por compartirla.

[@Robertmacmedia]

Great story 👏

[@TammyMullins-jv8wm]

😊awesome story thanks so much for sharing the life of peaches 🐿

[@kerryowen-holmes3719]

An answer like that can’t be left out alone after being looked after since being a baby. Lucky she came back to you.

[@thompsonsmith7798]

Hey Kerry Merry Christmas to you

[@mariepersaud7027]

Oooooh my god Peaches is sooooooo adorable,guys the way you all love and care for her is amaaaaazing, it made my day, such a loving family,I got emotional the other baby died,my heart was aching really, your little girl seemed very attached to Peaches,woooow what a loving family,thanks for taking such good care of Peaches, oooooooh my god she looooooooves you all 3 of you very much. Lots of love , God Bess, ❤❤❤ and this for Peaches, ❤ enjoy her.

[@mattmertz]

Thank you for the kind comment. :)

[@joycegibbs5267]

what an amazing story. Thank you for saving her and being such good parents. I hope she's still doing well xxx

[@napeekapunpimtongnara9111]

I think your squirrel is so cute. He came to fill your family with love and warmth.

[@gailremp8389]

Always nice to see a garage that looks like mine at some point during the year. So sweet.

[@mattmertz]

Still looks like that. :)

[@proctorfamily5401]

Should have made her a safe highly placed squirrel box 📦/home so she would have shelter and a place to have babies and always always provide a full spectrum of food in case she struggles to find it on her own.

[@eaglesnipper6532]

Wow so cute and adorable.thnkq guys for taking care of them.GBU.

[@mattmertz]

God bless you

[@gemm4793]

What a beautiful squirrel! Thank you for taking such good care of her.We have them here in the UK and they enrich our lives so immeasurably. We feed them pecans and monkey nuts etc when they visit. The world would be a much less richer place without squirrels.

[@MarthaOprisko]

I'm glad you successfully raised Peaches; I'm just not sure how well equipped she was to live in the wild; although, you wrote she was leery of of other humans. My maternal grandfather made friends with a female squirrel & would crack open black walnuts for her when she would come visit him. However, she had been raised "wild". Interestingly, she never brought her babies to visit. Whatever the case, Lady, as my grandfather called her, & he had a very special relationship that was beautiful to watch. We lived in Massachusetts & my grandparents lived in southern Indiana; so, we weren't able to come visit all that often. All I know & remember is they had a very special relationship.

[@rmp7400]

Sweet😁 Squirrels can really warm up to humans whom they learn to trust😇 Animals have an innate sense of gratitude to kindness shown them.👍

[@ellexusse]

She is a cutie! She has a unique button nose larger than usual ❤