Living on a quiet ranch in rural Alberta, Canada, Jannet Talbott leads a life removed from the hustle and bustle of cities. Yet, despite her remote surroundings, she is never truly alone. Her days are filled with the presence of countless animals—both domestic and wild—who inhabit the land with her. An animal lover through and through, Jannet has made it her mission to look after every creature that crosses her path.
One day, while watching the usual flurry of activity around her bird feeder, Jannet spotted a squirrel enjoying a snack. But something didn’t look quite right. As she observed the small creature more closely, she noticed a strange protrusion on the side of his face. Intrigued and concerned, she got a better look and was stunned by what she saw. “I could see there was something on the side of his face,” she told The Dodo. “I got closer and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s a massive tooth growing out of his mouth.’”
The squirrel, later named “Bucky” by Jannet, had a severe dental issue. Squirrels typically have four front teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives, but regular gnawing on nuts, seeds, and wood helps keep their teeth naturally worn down. In Bucky’s case, something had clearly gone wrong. His tooth hadn’t been worn down and instead had grown in the wrong direction—curving toward his eye, putting him at risk of serious injury or even starvation. Jannet guessed he had resorted to eating only powdered bird food, unable to chew anything solid due to the pain and obstruction.
Now faced with a delicate challenge, Jannet had to figure out how to catch the squirrel and help him. She had no experience handling wildlife in this way, but her deep compassion motivated her to take action. One day, as if by fate, she spotted Bucky back at the bird feeder. “It was like divine intervention,” she recalled. “I just had to reach in and grab him.” With her heart pounding, she reached into the feeder, gently scooped him up, and held him in her hands. “Once I had him in my hand, I just kept telling him, ‘I’m going to help you, Bucky. You’re going to be OK.’”
As she examined him more closely, Jannet realized the situation was even worse than she had initially thought. “His mouth was an absolute mess,” she said. “His upper incisors were curled around and growing inside his mouth. When he ate, his teeth were rubbing on his face. He was so horrific.” The condition looked both painful and dangerous, and Bucky’s ability to survive on his own was clearly in jeopardy.
Jannet debated taking him to a veterinarian, but feared the stress of the journey might do more harm than good—and there was no guarantee a vet could or would treat a wild squirrel. Instead, she decided to take matters into her own hands. With a steady hand and a brave heart, she turned to YouTube for guidance. After watching several instructional videos, she gathered her tools—specifically a pair of cuticle trimmers—and prepared to perform a little squirrel dentistry herself.
She carefully swaddled Bucky in a cloth and gently covered his eyes. To her surprise, he instantly calmed down. That moment of peace was all she needed to proceed. The procedure took about ten minutes, during which Jannet carefully trimmed the overgrown teeth, freeing Bucky from his painful predicament. Since squirrels don’t have nerve endings in their teeth, Bucky didn’t feel a thing. After the trimming, he remained surprisingly relaxed. “He was in no hurry to get away,” Jannet said in an interview with CBC Canada.
Afterward, she released him outside and watched as he scampered to a nearby branch. There, he began rubbing his cheeks—almost as if he couldn’t believe the discomfort was finally gone. “He just kept rubbing his face,” Jannet said. “It was like he couldn’t believe those teeth were gone.”
The next day, Bucky returned to the bird feeder, this time flashing what Jannet described as “the most amazing little squirrel smile.” It was as if he wanted to say thank you. “He was just so happy,” she said, beaming at the memory.
That small act of kindness became a defining moment for Jannet. “I really feel a deep connection to animals, and they always seem to come to me when they need help,” she said. Her story has inspired many, and she hopes it encourages others to step in when an animal is in need. “I’m always happy to help them, and I think if we all did a little, it would end up being a lot.”
Jannet’s brave and compassionate act likely saved Bucky’s life. Without her intervention, his inability to eat properly might have led to a slow and painful death. While it may seem extraordinary to attempt a dental procedure on a wild squirrel, Jannet’s calm resolve and love for animals carried her through. Her story is a reminder of the profound impact one person can have—even in a remote corner of the world.
Today, Bucky continues to visit the feeder, his smile a symbol of survival, resilience, and the power of kindness. And for Jannet, it’s just another day of doing what she loves: looking out for the animals who call her ranch home.
Let’s take a moment to thank this incredible woman for her selflessness and bravery. If her story touched your heart, consider sharing it. You never know who might be inspired to help the next animal in need.
