“Tipsy is a fighter.”
Meg Robertson was home visiting her parents for the holidays and looking forward to everything that came with it — catching up with family, relaxing, and, of course, seeing the beloved squirrels who frequent their backyard.
Robertson’s parents’ home is something of a squirrel hotspot, and over time the family has grown attached to many of their furry visitors. But one squirrel, in particular, has completely stolen their hearts. His name is Tipsy.
Tipsy is a familiar presence in the yard, easily recognized by the way he moves. At some point in his life, he sustained what appears to be a brain injury. While he manages just fine in the wild, the injury leaves him noticeably unsteady. He wobbles when he walks, struggles to stay still and sometimes looks like he’s swaying even when standing in place. Despite this, Tipsy remains a determined and spirited little squirrel.
Because of his condition, Robertson’s family keeps a close eye on him and makes sure he always has access to food. They don’t interfere with his independence, but they want to give him every opportunity to thrive on his own terms.
While Robertson was home, however, Tipsy suddenly disappeared for several days. The family grew increasingly worried, fearing something might have happened to their favorite backyard visitor. Then, just as suddenly as he’d vanished, Tipsy reappeared — acting as if nothing had happened at all.
“We were worried about him, but he’s back now,” Robertson said in a TikTok video. “Chunky as ever.”
Despite his neurological challenges, Tipsy continues to do everything the other squirrels can do. He runs across the yard, searches for food and even climbs trees with surprising confidence — wobbling all the while, but never letting it slow him down.
“Tipsy is a fighter,” Robertson said.
Robertson shared Tipsy’s story on TikTok, and it didn’t take long for viewers to fall in love with the resilient squirrel. The comments quickly filled with messages of support, and even a wildlife rehabilitator weighed in to reassure concerned viewers.
“Neurological but not skinny,” the commenter wrote. “He’s surviving and well at that! They’re doing great. As someone who’s raised multiple special needs squirrels.”
Now, Tipsy has become a small symbol of resilience — a reminder that being different doesn’t mean being incapable. With his wobble, determination and unmistakable charm, Tipsy has earned not just the affection of one family, but the admiration of the entire internet.