Hurricane Isaac wreaked havoc wherever it collided with land, nailing Louisiana as it began to wind down along its projected path. The 2012 deadly hurricane flattened houses, snuffed out lives and left a wake of damage behind it.
People reeled from the hurricane’s destruction, as did the animals that often are overlooked.
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Instagram/this_girl_is_a_squirrel
It isn’t uncommon to find stray animals wandering around after a hurricane. They are dazed, confused and lost. Their hearts are broken after being separated from their owners. They’re frightened because of the natural disaster and being displaced from their own homes.
They have nowhere to turn and are often left to fend for themselves until a rescuer finds them.
Many wild animals are hurt — or worse — after a hurricane. One woman discovered a helpless squirrel lying on the ground after the hurricane had passed. She had been blown out of her nest.
So the woman took her in, planning only to nurture her back to health temporarily. But the squirrel she named Jill quickly won over her heart and now is a social media darling.
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Instagram/this_girl_is_a_squirrel
Jill the Squirrel not only clicked with her human family, but also with her pet siblings, too. Jill, now seven years old, has a cage she hangs out in, but primarily has the run of the house. She has been treated to birthday celebrations, spoiled with fashion sprees and loves traveling with her mom.
“Jill has come with me on vacation ever since I began caring for her — before she was even a year old. She is a pro at long drives.”
The seven-year-old squirrel’s blog (that her mom helps her with of course) keeps everyone entertained and her Instagram account has 630,000 followers. Her profile says she’s a “vegetarian parkour expert whose only fear is the vacuum. But, she loves every Starbucks napkin she meets.”
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Instagram/this_girl_is_a_squirrel
As if Jill the Squirrel wasn’t cute enough to start with, she actually has her own mini teddy bear that she absolutely must clutch close to her heart when it’s nearing bedtime. She loves napping, too, so it’s with her quite often.
This potty-trained and photogenic furry rodent must have her precious snuggly with her when her eyes grow heavy and sleep is imminent.
But when she’s awake, she’s definitely affectionate, sweet and full of energy. She also surprisingly loves to be combed.
Not every squirrel is as blessed as Jill. Abandoned, orphaned or hurt squirrels are often simply euthanized when discovered. There are squirrel refuges that take in squirrels, but there aren’t many.
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Instagram/this_girl_is_a_squirrel
The Squirrel Refuge states that anyone wanting to save an adult squirrel must make sure they have access to plenty of clean water, appropriate nutritious food for a squirrel, something appropriate for gnawing, a safe enclosure with nesting materials and mentally stimulating areas among other requirements. Saving a baby squirrel is altogether a different rescue process.
This famous internet sensation known as Jill the Squirrel has prompted people to want to learn more about squirrels and wildlife rescue efforts, which is wonderful. Check out the video below of Jill simply enjoying life as a rescue animal. It’s too cute!
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By Kristin Danley-Greiner
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Kristin Danley-Greiner is a contributor at SBLY Media.