The animal kingdom never ceases to amaze us with their adorable antics, from funny dogs to mischievous cats and even wild animals who behave in an unusual way. California resident LouAnne Brickhouse has been documenting the wildlife that visits her property over a decade and she has saved an adorable collection of photos and videos on her Instagram page. But Stevie the coyote found a special place in LouAnne’s heart.
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For over a decade, LouAnne has been recording wild animals visiting her porch
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LouAnne first noticed a lone coyote on her trail camera a few years ago. Captivated by her beauty, LouAnne wanted to find out more about her newest guest and make her as comfortable as possible. The animal lover put out a few dog toys on her back deck in hopes the coyote would like them. To her surprise and delight, Stevie fell in love with the toys in an instant.
In fact, she loved the toys so much she started visiting the porch daily just so she could snuggle up to the her stuffies. LouAnne decided to add more cameras around the yard so she could get more footage of Stevie. Soon, almost every video showed the coyote snuggling up to one or even more toys at the time. Some people in the comments even noted that she looked like she was smiling.
“Unlike our dogs, she has never ripped the stuffie, and she never takes it with her,” delighted LouAnne.
Image credits: thedailyjames
However, a beautiful female coyote has taken a special place in her heart. To appease her, LouAnne left some dog toys out on the porch
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As soon as she saw them, Stevie immediately started playing with the stuffies
Image credits: thedailyjames
It’s no wonder Stevie has found a special place in the photographer’s heart – her gentle nature and stunning coat are hard to resist. But LouAnne respects her boundaries and always keeps her distance from the wildlife. Perhaps that is the reason Stevie felt comfortable enough to start bringing her boyfriend Jack. On their first joint visit, Stevie showed him all of her stuffies.
There are various dangers out in the wild awaiting two little coyotes, so it is comforting to know that the pair have a safe haven to rest in under the watch of a loving human.
“While we don’t talk to her, as we don’t want her to acclimate or become trusting of humans, we love knowing she’s up there, feeling safe enough to rest,” shared LouAnne.
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She even brought her mate, Jack, over so they both could enjoy their human friend's gifts
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Image credits: thedailyjames
The porch has become a hub for various animals, much to LouAnne's and her followers' delight
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Stevie and Jack aren’t the only visitors of LouAnne’s. In fact, there have been so many, everyone would find their favorite if they aren’t so keen on coyotes. For example, an adorable ground squirrel who had just awoken from her winter hibernation. Surely, she looked a bit rough in the latest video on the wildlife Instagram account, but I bet we all look horrible on an early Monday morning.
After years of observing the bushy-tailed creatures, Ms. Brickhouse started recognizing their hibernation patterns. She started strategically placing food so her little friends could replenish themselves after a long sleep. Squirrels help themselves to the offerings of delicious nuts, fruits, and seeds and LouAnne captures everything on camera. It’s a win-win!
“California ground squirrels hibernate and estivate in extreme weather conditions. We haven’t seen them for months. But now they’re back, and we’ll be sure to always have extra romaine lettuce and carrots in the fridge,” LouAnne shared in a post.
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It is a privilege to get a glimpse into the lives of wild critters - we must remain respectful of their space
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All of us have seen the adorable videos of chunky bears and fluffy wolves and have thought “I really want to pet him!” Fortunately, we have domestic pets to satisfy the need for a cuddle and the wild animals should be left alone. And if you’re lucky enough to find yourself in a place full of beautiful creatures, here are some ground rules to remember:
- Keep your hands to yourself – touching wild beasties can endanger both you and the animal;
- Do not spook them – you are a guest in their home, so be polite;
- Do not feed them – your cheese sandwich might be perfect for you but can cause illness to animals;
- Pick up your trash;
- Be mindful when taking pictures – a flash can spook the animals.
If you’re looking for inspiration on how to befriend your local wildlife, check out The Daily James account where LouAnne Brickhouse shows how to be a great human neighbor.
“We consider them our friends. It is no exaggeration to say these friends have completely changed our lives, taught us how to respect and love, and provided profound insights into our world.”
Do you have a wildlife friend?
People in the comments proved to be fans of Stevie and Jack
