The bond between humans and animals can be incredibly close. And I’m not just talking about pets like dogs and cats. Sometimes, even wild animals can become as close to us humans as our own families.

After Brantley Harrison and her family rescued an injured squirrel in 2009, they released her back into the wild and didn’t expect to see her again.

But eight years later, the squirrel, whom they named Bella, returns to visit almost every day — as long as there’s some food for her to eat, of course.

In 2009, a wild squirrel named Bella was attacked by an owl and almost died. But fortunately, Brantley Harrison and her family took her into their South Carolina home and nursed her back to health.

The family treated Bella like a member of their family and fed her a steady diet of fruit and nuts. Bella stayed with them until the spring of 2010, when she was fully recovered.

Finally, the Harrisons said goodbye to Bella and released her into the wild. But the fact is, Bella never went far. In fact, she still visits her human family as often as she can — even though it’s now been eight years since the family saved her life.

“Bella sits right at the front door waiting for someone to notice she has come by for a visit. She has even resorted to jumping over to the dining room window to peer in for someone to see her,” Brantley told The Dodo.

The most amazing part, however, is that eight years after her stay with the Harrisons, Bella returned for help with a damaged foot — and it turned out she was also pregnant. So Bella stayed another month with the family.

In other words, not only did she remember who her family is, she also chose to come back and share another milestone with them.

“It was truly amazing to watch the baby I raised raise her own babies,” Brantley Harrison says.

Animals really are amazing, and this story shows what a close bond humans and animals can have to each other. Please share Bella’s story so that more people can know about her!