A 13-year-old girl who rescued a bumblebee says the hardworking insect is now her loyal companion.
Lacey Shillinglaw from England was walking her dog when she spotted a bee with a damaged wing at the side of the path.
She carefully picked the animal up and placed it on a flower at a nearby park. However, the loyal insect, whom she named Betty, did not want to fly away and now follows her everywhere even when she goes shopping or bowling.
As the teenager explained, she and Betty are now inseparable even though the insect’s wing has fully recovered and Betty could fly away any time.
They now not only share their favorite snacks but also sleep in the same bedroom, whereas Betty has a special place on Lacey’s bedside table.
The teen also feeds Betty sugar water, strawberry jam, honey, and Haribo Tangfastics.
“Betty is totally amazing – I’ll remember this forever,” Lacey expressed. “I thought she would fly off on the first day but she just never did.
“I’m so happy and I just love spending my time with her. She’s so fluffy and I love our friendship.”
While Lacey often takes her BFF to the garden to let her feast on flowers, Betty always returns inside the home the moment the 13-year-old goes back.
Lacey’s mother, Laura, said: “She absolutely loves her. It’s completely lovely and also bonkers.
“Betty wanders all over her. including her face, and her glasses, and even in between her toes. She’s on her 90 per cent of the time during the day. It’s so beautiful – just gorgeous.
“I can’t believe Lacey isn’t scared.”
“Bumblebees sting, and like wasps, they can repeatedly sting you without being hurt or dying like honeybees do,” Laura added.
“Lacey’s hair is down to her bum, and Betty climbs in it like some kind of jungle.
“We have all the doors open a lot and she’s just never gone – I haven’t the foggiest why.”
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