When Ron Milburn found a tiny, hairless creature about the size of his thumb in his driveway, he had no idea what it was. Concerned, he brought it inside, wrapped it up for warmth, and began searching online.
He quickly discovered that the small animal was a newborn squirrel, likely fallen from its nest. Milburn placed the squirrel in a box outside, hoping the mother would return for it. She did briefly check on her baby but left after a short while. Later, Milburn would learn that the squirrel had a mouth deformity, which likely made it unable to suckle properly.
Though Milburn doubted the tiny creature would survive, he decided to care for it. He began feeding it puppy formula every three hours, around the clock, using a syringe. “It was like having a newborn baby in the house,” Milburn said.
To his surprise, the squirrel thrived. As it grew stronger, Milburn identified the squirrel as a male and named him Bobby—officially, Robert T. Squirrel (with the T standing for “The”).
Milburn shared their heartwarming story on Newsner’s We Love Animals channel, and the video quickly went viral on TikTok, amassing over four million views.
But Bobby's story doesn't end there. He eventually found a mate, Barbara Ann, and together they had four little ones: Peepers, Jeepers, Creepers, and Sneekers. Milburn fondly shares updates about Bobby's family on his website, bobbysquirrel.com, where he describes the babies’ personalities.
Bobby, despite being raised by humans, enjoys his freedom in the wild, and can often be seen visiting Milburn inside the house. In fact, Bobby loves to come inside for cuddles, especially during thunderstorms when he seeks safety in his human's arms.
Milburn has also shared fun videos of Bobby, like the one where the squirrel snuggles in his pocket. He even created a children's book, Bobby and Friends, with stories and a coloring book for kids aged 2 to 11.
Despite the joy Bobby brings to his life, Milburn has faced challenges with his HOA, which has asked him to stop feeding the squirrels in his yard, labeling them as a “nuisance.”
While some may see squirrels as pests, it’s hard to watch Bobby’s story unfold and not see him as the beloved pet that he is. Milburn has clarified that while raising a baby squirrel is different from domesticating a wild one, the bond between him and Bobby is something truly special.