Other people may think it’s nuts but I adore my pet squirrel
MAN’S best friend is a squirrel, according to animal lover Graham Skidmore.
He rescued his furry pet Lucky after the baby animal plunged from the roof of a row of shops last April.
Now the creature is fully house trained and can even perform tricks.
Bachelor Graham said yesterday: “He’s given me a new lease of life. You’ve never seen a squirrel like this one. The things he does are incredible.
“Most squirrels would bite your hand off if you go near them in the wild but I can put my hand in Lucky’s mouth.
“Lucky can do all sorts. He can roll over like a dog with his legs up in the air. He can also sit on my shoulder and likes to hide peanuts behind my ears.” Graham, 75, of Bakewell, Derbyshire, says Lucky and he take afternoon naps together but “he sleeps in a big budgie cage at night”.
The squirrel refuses to venture outside and loves nothing more than rolling over to let retired shopkeeper Graham tickle his tummy.
“When I come back from shopping he’ll look in my bags to see what I’ve got for him,” Graham added. “He eats nuts, mostly chestnuts and walnuts, but he loves cucumber, too.”
Graham now plans to audition for ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent – so Lucky can wow the nation like last year’s winner, Pudsey the dog.
Graham said: “He’ll shock everyone. He’s fantastic. He’s changed my life.”