This Story of a Blind, Snuggly Woodchuck Will Brighten Your Day – 10 Pictures
Life can write the most amazing stories and we have often heard heart-breaking and beautiful stories of rescued animals that live their lives to the fullest again after a period of recovery. In some cases, a life-threatening injury can end up turning your life for the better, or at least help you find love and friendship you never had before. And as it is often the case, all that it takes for a person to have a happy life is someone to stand by them. This is the case with the protagonist of our story, a woodchuck called Coco (more info: Instagram, source: thedodo and Bored Panda), who was rescued from a certain death and now enjoys the love and support of a great family, which she well deserved.
Between life and death
Our story begins at what could have been an end for Coco, since she was found in a very critical condition, lying in the middle of one family’s garden. She was severely injured and she couldn’t even move at the time. Since she didn’t move from that particular spot for three days, the family thought that she was dead and tried to shovel her out of their garden. At that moment, it became clear to them that Coco was actually still alive.
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The treatment
After the family realized Coco was still alive, they contacted Molly Ryan, who is a local wildlife rehabber, to try and save the life of this badly injured woodchuck. She took her in and began the treatment. The first thing Ryan did for Coco was rehydration and getting her body temperature back to the normal state. After that, she took care of her head wounds, which Coco was inflicted by birds that started pecking on her head after she was motionless in the hot sun for days.
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The recovery
After getting Coco back from the brink of death, Ryan dedicated her time and resources to getting her back in shape. Since Coco was nothing more than a skeleton when she came to her, it wasn’t an easy thing to do. She struggled for many weeks to get her health improved enough so Coco could gain weight and strength again.
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Getting better
During these turbulent weeks, Ryan was waking up during the night to check on Coco and she decided to keep her close to her bed in the end, since that way it would be easier for her to keep an eye on Coco. Naturally, Coco then decided that she would prefer sleeping in the bed next to Ryan and that wish was soon granted.
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Back to the wild?
Since Ryan’s job entails taking care of wild animals until they can go back into the wild, that was the planned course of action for Coco as well. Then, Ryan figured out that there was something odd about Coco. She always kept her eyes half-open or even completely closed. That, along with her walking patterns, was enough to raise suspicion and Ryan took Coco to the vet, who confirmed those suspicions – Coco indeed was blind.
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Feeling at home
After this discovery, Ryan knew she can’t release Coco back into the wild. That meant that this adorable woodchuck became the latest member of the Ryan family. She walked around in circles in order to create a map of the house, even while she was recovering, so after some time Coco was walking around the household without any problem.
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A new role
After Coco got used to her new home, she also got a job. She is working as an education animal and her job is to teach people important lessons about wildlife and wild animals. She teaches them about what to do and what not to do when they encounter a wild animal and how they can help when they see an injured or distressed wild animal without risking their own safety.
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A friendly girl
Due to the nature of Ryan’s job as a wildlife rehabber, Coco encounters many animals that come and go. She enjoys their company and she is a very friendly woodchuck for sure. Even though she is blind, she can do almost anything other animals can and she isn’t shy when it comes to playing with them.
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A snuggling fluffball
Coco is now totally accustomed to her new house and her new family and she really likes to hang out and snuggle with them. She often sleeps in the same bed as Ryan and other family members. However, she snores a lot, but makes up for that inconvenience by being so fluffy and soft. Who wouldn’t love to snuggle with this cutie?
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A new diet
Well, at this point in her life, it is safe to say that Coco isn’t only chucking on wood. She loves eating various treats, like Oreos and candy canes, and she went from being all skin and bones to being an adorable, chubby pet. Her story has a happy ending and that ending entails a bunch of sweets in her mouth and a loving family she can snuggle with.
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Image sources:
- bit.ly/2tY0Gt8
- thedo.do/2szO1yR
- bit.ly/2tY0Gt8
- thedo.do/2szO1yR
- bit.ly/2tY0Gt8
- thedo.do/2szO1yR
- thedo.do/2szO1yR
- bit.ly/2tY0Gt8
- thedo.do/2szO1yR
- bit.ly/2tY0Gt8
