My heart is smiling!
We need more people like you in the world and less of those who abuse animals.
God Bless you, Marilyn!

Looks like he is hugging your finger!

You are soooo special, Marilyn!

Aaaawwwwwwwwweee

Oh, he is so tiny and so cute! You're amazing to do this for him.

You have literally altered your daily life for this itty bitty creature. I am so in awe of you. Vernon is so lucky to have you.

Marilyn, didn't your burp him? LOL! Just kidding, of course. You must be so pleased with his progress. Thank you for taking the time to share the news. Everyone enjoys it so much.

He's a strong little guy, isn't he??
And VERY lucky to have you as him "mom". LOL!

Oh, Marilyn, you are such a good mother!!

Awww Vernon! You have stolen our hearts.
You've been blessed with a great Mom - LOL.

Alisande, I have a very strong "mother gene". I breastfed my own child for 3 1/2 years. :))

He's growing up! I've been wondering how he was doing. Thanks for the update. You are such a good mommy.

Ditto on mcpegs' post.
What a cutey.

Ron

I was thinking about you and Vernon today while I was watching the squirrels in our yard. I'm so glad he's doing well. What heartache you must endure because of the rehab you do.......and what joy. People who care about animals are so vulnerable.

One of the things I admire about you, Marilyn, is that you actually do something to help animals instead of just passively loving them.

Awwwwwwwww!!! Ditto what everyone else has said.

marilyn c
I look at your hand in that photo and I see the hand of God tending His creatures through you.

Oh gosh Vernon has the entire KT cheering for him. Thats not as good as the care Marilyn provides but I got a feeling wtih Marilyn and the KT on his side he is going to do just fine!!
Bless your sweet heart Marilyn!!!!!!!!! I dont know of another soul that could do what YOU do!

I've had both of you on my mind.
Thank you for the encouraging update and the picture.

ditto what acey said!
You're a true angel in human clothing. I hope little Vernon keeps responding well to your tender ministrations.
Life is so precious in whatever form it takes! God Bless!

Awww, Marilyn, I can tell he's grown some. He's a cute little fella and is blessed to have a momma who has a heart of gold.

Linda

Oh my gosh, Marilyn... how will you ever let him go? If I were you I think I'd end up having a pet squirrel named Vernon.

Oh my! What a sweet little thing! He is hugging you! What a darling picture. Please keep us up updated with pictures as he grows. What do you plan to do when he is older? Will he be a pet? Will you be able to return him to his natural home?
Bless you for caring for him.

Thanks for helping this tiny miracle continue on a life journey. Thanks!!!

How precious is that? You are a blessing Marilyn.

He's so precious. Give him a tiny little kiss from me.

I raised a Fox Squirrel once, but "Sissy" was much bigger than Vernon when I got her. She had hair and her eyes were open. She lived on my back porch, in a huge cage that was kept open at all times, for several months. She'd come in the house when she wanted. She seemed to like me but would grumble and growl the entire time I held her. She'd nip, but never drew blood. Knowing how long and sharp her fangs were, I knew the nips were just love bites.

Then, apparantly, she fell in love and wandered off for longer and longer times.

She came back once in a while, for a handout of puppy chow and peanuts.

That is the sweetest thing! I am in awe! I am looking forward to the progress of this little guy...and I LOVE his name! You are a saint Marilyn!!

Lil' Vernon will be scampering around your house in no time, Marilyn, it's amazing to watch his progress. He's looking great. You can even see where his little whiskers are going to come in! It won't be long..... he's progressing quickly. His eyes will be open soon and THEN the fun will begin!

I wish I was closer, I would make you a little sling so you could wear him and keep him close to your heart. Using a purse is an excellent idea, though. How clever you are! And good-hearted, man, nobody can beat you in THAT dept!

O- my. I am so glad he is doing well. Once again,
I have to tell you how special you are.

Hugs to you and Vernon. :)

That is one lucky little squirrel baby. Every two hours is a pretty intense schedule for over nights - you must be exhausted!
Thanks for the update, I was wondering about Vernon and I'm glad to see him doing so well!

Vernon, like many of my animals, are named after people I have known that they seem to resemble. He looks very much like a guy named Vernon that used to live on our place. Vernon, the guy, was a shell shocked Viet Nam vet and my husband let him live move a little trailer here. Vernon loved animals and needed peace and quiet. He lived here for about two years and then his mother bought him a house. We still refer to the spot where he used to live, which is up by our gate, as "Vernon's place". Actually, it is the main spot where I feed the squirrels that live here.

I plan to release Vernon, the squirrel, but because I know that squirrels especially become attached to their people, I
plan to get some other baby squirrels, as they become available, so I can raise them together, and he can bond to them, and not to me.

I keep Vernon right by my bed, and all I have to do is wake up, and give him some and help him to go potty. It takes less than 5 minutes. I can go a little longer than two hours, but I try to not go over that. I read on a wildlife page that you don't need to feed them from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
but I know that baby animals nurse all the time, and smaller frequent meals are better than large ones spaced out over time. Squirrels aren't nocturnal, so the mothers would be with them at night, even tho they have to leave the nest during the day to forage. I am sure they would frequently return to feed them.

Thanks, everyone, for the nice comments and the good thoughts for Vernon. I am no angel...that is for sure. I
do love animals, and try to help them. Keep the good thoughts for him, and I will update you with a weekly picture.

The reason I didn't send Vernon out to someone else is because he is doing so well. I had someone bring me a little squirrel just a little older than Vernon last summer, and the lady who found him had done a great job with him but she worked and it was a struggle to take him with her to the office every day. She was exhausted from lack of sleep. But she loved him very much and had even kept a little diary on his progress.

She gave him to a rehabber I know, who was also very busy, so I offered to take him. He didn't like me. He didn't like the change, he didn't like the nipple, and he didn't want to nurse and was doing poorly. I sent him to a woman who does nothing but rehab squirrels, and he died.

Since Vernon is so used to me, and the formula I am feeding him and his nipple, I didn't want anything to change that might upset him. Even tiny little creatures can be affected by small little differences. They have their own attachments, so I didn't want to even chance sending him out, altho I knew that if he died, I would feel very badly,
thinking I should have sent him, but I have talked with yet anther squirrel rehabber and she tells me that raising pinkies are never a sure thing, and he could die no matter who is raising him.

He's looking soooo good Marilyn. You've sure got the knowledge and touch to get that little fellow on the road to maturity. I applaud you, your determination and love of animals.

Blessings to you Ms. Marilyn....you are a very special lady!

Marilyn, I forgot I had this Pet Carrier for Pawle when she was a Baby. It's probably to big for Vernon now, but it makes for a nice Bedroom for him. LOL! The top opens and the front panel opens as well. The front is a little screened window.

You can have it if you want it. Just email me your address or if you are going to be on the West Side of Houston, I can meet you.

{{!gwi}}

Gayle

So glad that you updated us on Vernon, Marilyn. God Love Him - he's so little and so vulnerable. Glad he has you on his side. ((Marilyn and Vernon))

I don't post a lot, but just had to comment how happy I am Vernon is still with us and doing well!! Fingers and toes are crossed that he continues to thrive and becomes a big, happy, healthy Squirrel.

Gayle, thanks for the offer, but he would rattle around like a bb in a box car in something so big. Once he is on food and not having to nurse so often, he will be better off staying at home. I try to use him as a good excuse to hurry home and not be gone long.

But, thank you for the offer. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

That is so cute! You are a special lady to do this for so many animals! Vernon is one lucky little guy.

OHH MY!! he's sooo very precious...he's gonna be with you for life...and how wonderful you're taking care of him!

Dittos what acey said. Love you Marilyn