A Little Help From My Friends - May Sanctuary Update

Hi Everyone!

We all know what it’s like to feel a bit out of place. Unfamiliar surroundings, new routines, and lots faces that seem friendly enough, but you’re not sure if they’re really going to “get” you. But then you see that one somebody. That person who you just know will understand you. It’s the first step to really feeling at home. For many of the animals that arrive at the sanctuary, there’s nothing like others of their kind to make the transition to living here so much easier, even with all the love from our human caregivers. I’d like to share some special stories of kindred spirits supporting each other through hard times.

Wrigley is a special little guy. He’s a puggle who found himself in the pound and in need of help. He appeared to be friendly with people, but still very nervous. We took him in here at the sanctuary and could see right away that this guy had been through a lot. And while we had lots of love and care to share with him, we could tell that what he really needed was someone who could speak his language. That was when we let him meet Dug, a happy lab mix we had been caring for who we knew to be a great “communicator” with other dogs. The two hit it off right away and you could instantly see the anxiety leave Wrigley’s body. Wrigley quickly met the rest of “the boys,” a group of happy, social male dogs here at the sanctuary that includes Dug, Neo, and Coal. With the help of his doggy buddies, Wrigley has more easily accepted lots of new people into his life and learned how much joy there is to be had at the sanctuary. And while we’re sure Wrigley would have acclimated well eventually, having some help from some good friends made the process so much easier for everyone.

Coal & Wrigley’s first meeting, friends at first sniff!

The group that has come to be known as “the boys”: Wrigley, Coal, Dug, & Neo

Now, of course, there are some of us who have a difficult time being social even in the best of circumstances. Maybe you’re not one for small talk. Maybe you think you say too many embarrassing things. Or maybe you have a tough time reading the room. We’ve all been there at one time or another. And so we can all sympathize with our boys Hank and Champ. They’ve got nothing against other dogs…or at least the idea of other dogs, but it’s tough for them to get in synch with lots of other dogs, or find that special someone who “clicks.” As far as we here at the sanctuary are concerned, that’s no reason to wall someone off or hold them back. We just keep trying until we get it right. For Hank, getting it right meant trying interactions with various dogs, until we found someone he could call his buddy. That is Coal. For everything Coal has been through in his life, he is an amazingly positive dog, with great “communication skills.” He immediately set Hank at ease and has even helped Hank more easily get to know new human friends. For Champ, it meant setting things up to curb the worst of Champ’s over-the-top first impression, and finding a dog with a forgiving nature who could see past Champ’s bravado. That dog was Dug. The two became great friends and, even though Dug has since gone to his forever home, we’ve learned a great deal about what socialization success can look like for Champ and given him the chance to practice new ways of interacting with other dogs.

Hank and Coal out for a walk on the road

Little Wrigley made a great first impression on tall boy Hank

Champ can be a bit intense with his size and loud bark, but Dug likes him just the way he is!

All of this extends beyond the canine world as well. We recently took in two groups of ferrets in need of special care before finding a new home. Perfect pair Zoe and Zyla came here in need of some special love and attention. Then there’s the rockin’ trio Dulce, Jovi, and Bowie, who burst on the scene with some minor medical care to tackle. Once we got them all healthy, we started testing some play dates, and the five-some instantly took to each and, soon, regular ferret pandemonium ensued. The socialization experience has been highly beneficial for all of the ferrets, helping them express lots of energy and intellectual activity, practice their communication skills, and making them joys to handle and interact with for their people.

There’s nothing cuter than a ferret nap pile!

And if I’m talking about the support of friends, I can’t skip over the story of Noelle and Trinity. These fantastic felines both entered sanctuary life missing a front leg. Noelle’s time at the sanctuary was much longer, given her very shy demeanor, and Trinity was a newer arrival. By chance, the two ended up in rooms next door to each other and showed signs of wanting to interact when out in the hall. The cat team took a chance and let them meet in a slow process. They hit it off and not only became friends here, but were adopted to the same home together, where I’m sure a familiar furry face will greatly help the adjustment process.

Life’s challenges are always a little easier with the help of a friend who understands you.

Vinny’s View

As many of you know who’ve met me, I have issues. Many of you have heard my occasional rasping and wheezing, and of course, my diabetes. Both of these were difficult to control when I first arrived, and my inability to keep an insulin monitor functioning on my for more than a few days didn’t help. But a big investment of time, effort, and medical tools have gotten me into tip top shape and ready to go to a loving home. My story is not special here at Our Companions. Most of the pets come here in need of special care and attention on their journey to their best life. That why events like Help Them Heal matter so much. Please join in the challenge tomorrow, June 2nd, and support the work that has made such a difference in my life and so many other furry friends.

See you soon!

And of Course…Adoptions!!

May was a bit cool outside, but was a hot month for adoptions. In cats, long time favorite, Salem, went home, while new feline snugglers Muffin, Jack, and Furbee & Little Bit arrived. Over in dog world, happy lab buddy, Dug, went home and new happy guy, Ferguson joined the crew. And in small animals, our longest term resident, Charley the chinchilla, went home, as did Cookie Dough the bunny. Arriving a little late for candy egg season is adorable bunny friend Cadbury.