Jannet Talbott, an animal lover living on a ranch in rural Alberta, Canada, is no stranger to caring for creatures in need. Her property is home to a variety of domestic and wild animals, and she always keeps a watchful eye on them. One day, while observing a squirrel at her bird feeder, she noticed something unusual—a massive tooth growing out of the side of its face.
Squirrels’ front teeth never stop growing, but they usually stay short from constant gnawing on nuts and seeds. This squirrel, however, had a tooth that had grown out of control, threatening its ability to eat and even its vision. Jannet knew she had to act quickly. She named the squirrel Bucky and set out to help him.
Catching Bucky wasn’t easy, but one day, as he visited the feeder, Jannet seized the opportunity. “I just had to reach in and grab him,” she said. “I kept telling him, ‘I’m going to help you, Bucky. You’ll be alright.’”
Upon closer inspection, Jannet realized Bucky’s dental issues were worse than she thought. His teeth were growing inward, rubbing against his face and making it painful for him to eat. Determined to help, Jannet watched instructional videos and used cuticle trimmers to carefully trim Bucky’s overgrown teeth. The procedure took just ten minutes, and Bucky remained calm throughout.
Afterward, Bucky seemed to know he’d been helped. He rubbed his cheeks and returned to the feeder the next day, looking happier than ever. Jannet’s quick thinking and bravery saved Bucky from starvation and gave him a new lease on life.
Jannet hopes her story inspires others to help animals in need. “If we all contributed a little, it would add up to a lot,” she said. Her kindness reminds us that even small acts can make a big difference.
