Dog that nursed squirrels is doing OK

AP

MUM'S THE WORD: A trio of baby squirrels nurse on Pixie, a poodle owned by Gail Latta, in Henderson, North Carolina. The baby squirrels were left homeless when the tree they lived in was felled by a chain saw.

After three baby squirrels lost their tree-home to a chain saw, they found a foster mum in a 4-year-old toy poodle named Pixie.

Dog owner Gail Latta said she tried unsuccessfully to feed the squirrels canned milk. Then the North Carolina woman turned to Pixie, who had recently had her own pups. They had been sold, but Pixie could still nurse. Pixie treated the foster squirrels like her own babies.

After two weeks, the squirrels were old enough to be weaned, and they had to go. Latta said she learned she might be violating state regulations by keeping wildlife in her home.

Latta said Pixie seemed a little upset when the squirrels were sent Saturday to an animal rehabilitation specialist, but she's OK. Dog biscuits seemed to help Pixie's recovery.

- AP