Stories1 min(s) read

Duck rescued as baby always returns to man who saved his life

A duck rescued as a baby continually returns to a man who saved his life - proof that even the smallest of animals don't forget kindness.

Steven Thibeault of Nahant, Massachusetts, first laid eyes on Cheerio the duck when he spotted him struggling in a pool in the apartment complex where he works as a manager.

After investigating the situation, Steven soon realized that he wasn't going to be able to reunite the duckling with his mother and that he was unable to fend for himself, so he took Cheerio in.

Watch Cheerio swimming in the ocean below: 

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After rescuing Cheerio, Steven had planned to release the duck back into the world once he was old enough, but it didn't quite work out that way, and a few years on, the two are as thick as thieves.

Every morning, Steven goes to work and Cheerio spends his days flying around, swimming, and playing with other ducks in the apartment complex.

At the end of each day, Cheerio returns to Steven's home to his "cat sister" Reeses, and despite being an unlikely pair of friends, they get on really well. Cheerio even enjoys playing with Steven's parents' dog.

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In an interview with The Dodo, Steven said: "He is pretty much on my schedule so we come to work, he spends most of the day outside and after work, we go home.

"He does have a social life, he has spent time with other ducks which makes me happy, but at the end of the day he chooses me. That could change one day but that's up to him."

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Now Cheerio has become what can only be described as a local celebrity, and residents in Steven's apartment complex love showering him with treats and attention. But he's not just got human friends, he's got feathered ones around the complex too.

Steven told The Dodo: "He gets along great with other ducks, especially males. He is a little shy when it comes to the ladies at this point in his life but hopefully, that will change.''

"He also hangs out with other duck and geese species like eider ducks, mallards and brant geese who spend their winters here in Nahant. He also has a few seagull buddies too."

Cheerio is free to leave Steven's life whenever he wants to, but clearly, he's formed quite the bond with his adoptive father and won't be straying too far for now!

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