🐿🍔 When Chip & Dale's meets Whataburger

Back in 2021, Keith Morgan and his daughters spotted their cat batting something around outside. 

After rushing out to the backyard, they were surprised to find two baby squirrels beneath their pecan tree. They attempted to put the pups back in the tree, in hopes of the squirrels' mother bringing them up to the nest, but ultimately determined they were orphans.

Luckily, the family was familiar with caring for rodents, and already had a rabbit cage set up in the back yard. For the next two weeks, they tried to nurse the squirrels back to health after their falls. 

• They named them – fittingly – Chip and Dale. 

💪🐿 Anything for Dale... The family was heartbroken when Chip succumbed to his injuries, but they channeled all their energy into getting Dale strong and healthy.

After a few weeks, they started to let Dale out onto the porch to explore.

• “And then one day, he ran up a tree," shared Keith. "Everyone was okay with that, because the ultimate goal was to get him out on his own.”
• For months, Dale would go off and do his squirrel-exploring in the wilderness before returning home expecting treats and cuddles.

🍔 So, what's with the Whataburger house?... As Dale started to spend more and more time outside, the family decided to build him a tree house in the backyard. 

• Keith's daughter, Riley, is a major Whataburger fan. She decided to design Dale's house after the fast-food chain's locations – orange and white roof and all. 

❤️ Bottom line: It's been a few months since the Morgan family has seen Dale, but they're happy to think he's started his own squirrel life out in the wild. 

• “I miss Dale sometimes, but I think he probably moved on and I’m fine with that,” said Riley. “Our goal [when we rescued him] was that he would go back to the wild someday and have a happy life.”

+Editor's Note: This story was originally published in Positive DONUT in August 2023. It was so sweet we had to share it again🥰.