Dog nurses puppies and baby squirrel

A newborn squirrel that had been abandoned by its mother has found a new home and a new family, thanks to a dog named "Princess" and her owners. "Princess," a Shih Tzu, had just given birth to three female pups when a new hungry critter showed up.

Doug and Corinne Thomas say a neighbour discovered the tiny squirrel near their Agoura Hills home and when it wouldn't eat, they thought that "Princess" might be willing to nurse it along with her own puppies.



So, at feeding time, they placed the little female squirrel next to her new sisters and waited to see what would happen. What happened turned out to be a real case of puppy love.

Turns out "Princess" was more than willing to nurse the squirrel, who has been renamed "Squirl." Now, two weeks later, "Squirl," all three puppies and "Princess" are gaining weight and thriving.



The Thomas' say "Princess" cares for "Squirl" as if she were one of her own. Corrine Thomas says "Princess" has been used to help inspire autistic children and that "Squirl" will join the cause.

"If humans could be more like Princess and the squirrel and the little pups we would all get along a lot better. It doesn't matter what you have on the outside, it's on the inside," she said.