When an Australian homeowner heard their dog barking one afternoon, they thought it was just another neighborhood commotion. But when they followed the sound, they found the reason behind all the fuss — and it melted their heart.
Huddled behind the home’s hot water heater was a tiny ringtail possum joey, trembling and clinging tightly to the metal for comfort.
“[They were] surprised to find a visibly distressed young ringtail possum clinging to their hot water heater,” WIRES Wildlife Rescue wrote in a Facebook post.
Ringtail possums are small, tree-dwelling marsupials known for their big eyes and white-tipped tails. Usually, they spend their nights munching on leaves high up in the branches — not hiding beside household appliances.
The concerned homeowner immediately contacted WIRES for help, and soon a rescuer named Erin arrived to check on the frightened baby.
Erin guessed that the possum had bolted from his mother after being startled by the barking dog, finding the first hiding spot he could — the narrow space behind the water heater.
“Being a joey, he was quite docile but very scared and was trying to hide his little face,” Erin told The Dodo.
Erin carefully wrapped him in a soft towel and examined him for injuries. Thankfully, he was perfectly healthy — just scared and exhausted.
When Erin placed him inside a cozy felt pouch, the little possum finally relaxed. Within minutes, he drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Rescuers searched the area, hoping to reunite him with his mom, but she was nowhere to be found. So the joey was placed with an experienced wildlife carer — and soon, he wasn’t alone anymore.
At his new home, he met two other orphaned ringtail possum joeys around his age. The trio quickly bonded, snuggling together as they learned how to climb, explore, and grow strong enough to return to the wild.
Once they’re ready, the young possum and his new friends will be released near the area where he was found — free to live the life he was meant to, high among the trees.
Thanks to one curious dog, a caring homeowner, and a team of rescuers, one frightened little joey got a second chance — and a new family to grow up with.
To help other animals like this possum, you can donate to WIRES Wildlife Rescue.
