“Stevie diligently looks after her stuffed animals.”
Introducing Stevie, a lively coyote with an unexpected fondness for dog toys. When her neighbor, LouAnne Brickhouse, began leaving plush toys in Stevie’s favorite resting spot, she became captivated. Each day, Stevie would return to snuggle with her newfound plush companions.
Brickhouse, who shares wildlife moments on her Instagram, delighted in watching Stevie cozy up with her toys through her outdoor cameras. However, her joy turned to dismay when the cameras captured an unexpected event.
“One night, while Stevie and Jack were away, someone sneaked in and took their toys!” Brickhouse revealed in an Instagram post.
While Stevie and her husband slept elsewhere, an unidentified coyote discovered the stash of toys and swiftly claimed them for himself. After picking out his preferred plushie, the intruder vanished into the woods.
To Brickhouse’s astonishment, the audacious coyote returned moments later to repeat the heist with the remaining toys. The footage of the crime left Brickhouse stunned, but it was Stevie who seemed most bewildered by the unexpected turn of events.
As Stevie returned to Brickhouse’s deck the following day, her keen eyes scanned the area where her cherished toys once rested. With a sense of dismay, she realized they were nowhere to be found. A plaintive cry escaped her, echoing the ache of loss alongside her devoted mate.
“While we can’t decipher their words, it felt like they were lamenting their stolen treasures and asserting their presence to the culprit,” Brickhouse mused on Instagram, noting the unusual scene on the typically serene deck.
Thankfully, Brickhouse hatched a plan to reunite Stevie with her beloved playthings. Through careful exploration, she tracked down the missing toys on a nearby hill. Yet, the thief had left his mark, tarnishing the plushies—a stark contrast to Stevie’s gentle touch. Determined to restore joy to her wild friend, Brickhouse replaced the damaged items with pristine new ones.
“Knowing Stevie and Jack’s tender treatment of their belongings, we opted to swap the marred toys with fresh ones,” Brickhouse shared on Instagram. “Their reaction was a mix of confusion and gratitude.”
Stevie’s joy was palpable as she embraced her newly replenished collection, finding solace and comfort in their familiar presence. The thief revisited the scene, sometimes accompanied by curious companions, yet Brickhouse ensured Stevie’s treasures remained secure on the deck, sensing a deeper connection with the perpetrator.
“We suspect they’re all kin,” Brickhouse speculated on Instagram. While Stevie’s relatives may share her fondness for dog toys, none possess the same bond with the plushies. Despite her untamed spirit, Stevie finds solace and companionship in her toys, treating them with unwavering affection.
“Stevie’s care for her stuffies is unparalleled,” Brickhouse concluded on Instagram. “Though we glimpse her only fleetingly, we’re gratified to know she has found a sanctuary within our shared realm.”