In the face of all the strife and hatred around the world, perhaps we should look to the animals for answers about how we should live. Debbie Canton, who lives near Seattle, Washington, has often been called upon by friends to rescue animals. Her latest efforts involve a baby squirrel that neighbors found at the base of a tree. Nearby, the mother squirrel lay dead from presumed poisoning. Knowing of Canton’s kindness toward animals, the neighbors brought the infant to her.

Although the squirrel was so young that it had not yet opened its eyes, Canton put it in a cage and began to care for it. She hand-fed the baby, who she named Finnegan, from a tiny bottle. It was then that the family’s pet dog, a Papillon that was about to give birth to her first litter of puppies, got involved. Twice she dragged the squirrel’s cage over to her bed. Although she was concerned, Cantlon eventually allowed the squirrel out of the cage and into the dog’s bed. Two days after giving birth to her litter, the mother dog encouraged Finnegan to nurse with the rest of the brood. The following photos by Dean Rutz of the Seattle Times tell a heartwarming story of an unlikely adoption and love. If two such diverse species can get along so well, why can’t we humans find a way to love one another?

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