5 minute read
What Animals Can Teach Us About
When it comes to resilience, some of us have it and many more of us need it. Problems or unfortunate circumstances inevitably arise in all of our lives. When life challenges us, where do we go to find that mental toughness needed to overcome our adversity? Animals have challenges and have to overcome adversity, too; but they often face these obstacles better than most humans. Animals live in the moment, not allowing themselves to be consumed by negativity. They face adversity and simply move on. We can learn so much when it comes to overcoming obstacles simply by observing our four-legged friends who can teach us a thing or two about resilience.
Faith the 2-Legged Dog up, but she chose to persevere. In doing so, she set an example of what it means to be resilient when faced with life’s biggest challenges.
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Faith was born with two fully-formed back legs and a third partially-formed front leg that required amputation due to atrophy when she was just a puppy. Faith’s prospects did not look good from the outset. Undeterred, a courageous caregiver named Jude Stringfellow adopted Faith and taught her how to walk upright by using peanut butter as an incentive.
Not only did Faith survive, she thrived, living a full life, inspiring everyone that crossed her path. This included hundreds of service members that she met throughout her lifetime, inspiring them to not give up due to their own injuries and setbacks.
Faith’s story has been well documented, receiving national and even international coverage. Sometimes, however, it’s the stories closest to home that resonate the most, and the next two stories of resilience were members of this author’s extended family. I got to witness, firsthand, what an impact these two resilient animals had on those around them by their sheer determination and ceaseless efforts to be an important and contributing part of the family.
Clyde the 3-Legged Rescue
Clyde was a mixed-breed rescue dog from Parma, Ohio, equipped with three legs and a will to survive.
When Clyde appeared at an Ohio-area veterinary appointment with a broken leg wrapped in duct tape, the vet practice immediately took action. Sensing that Clyde may have been, at best, neglected or, at worst, abused, the veterinary practice commandeered the dog with little resistance from the dog’s owner.
By Dave Clark
In fact, according to Wikipedia, Faith was given the “non-commission rank of E5 Sgt. at Ft. Lewis, Washington, in June 2006. She visited more than 2,300 wounded warriors in hospitals and wards throughout the world and was seen by more than 2,000,000 active soldiers at bases, airports and ceremonies. She wore her ACU [Army Combat Uniform] jacket proudly and would get excited when it was pulled out of the closet, as she knew it meant she was about to meet soldiers.” Faith could have given
Scared and in need of a new home, my motherin-law, Jean Skonier, adopted Clyde and gave him a forever home so he could enjoy his later years. It wasn’t the first time she took in a pet in need. Every pet she has adopted over the years has always been a rescue animal who needed—and appreciated—a good home.
Clyde may have only had three legs, but he didn’t let that stop him. In fact, he got around as if dogs were supposed to only have three legs. He certainly didn’t act as if he was afflicted in any way. He just wanted to be the accepted family pet that he was. Clyde was a loyal companion, a superb watchdog and a friend to anyone who visited the family.
Casper the Cat on a Mission
Another one of Jean Skonier’s rescues was Casper the cat. He was perfectly healthy but without a home. It is unknown from where Casper came or how he got there; but one day, a lovable, blue-eyed white cat appeared alone at her front door.
Casper knocked confidently, expecting to be welcomed inside. When the door wasn’t answered quickly enough, Casper made his way to the side door and knocked again. He was determined to join the family.
How he knew to choose this particular house remains a mystery to this day. Maybe animals have a sense that we humans lack? Of the hundreds of houses in the neighborhood, the resilient and resourceful Casper instinctively knew to choose this house.
Already a full-grown cat upon his arrival, this friendly fur ball lived almost another twenty years as a loving member of the family. When he was down on his luck, he changed his own luck and lived happily ever after because of it. A true testament to resilience!
Dogs and cats show us that disabilities or dire situations don’t dictate how they live their lives. Animals are neither negative nor pessimistic. They view the world as if their water bowl is always half full, a lesson we can all learn about having resilience and overcoming our own challenges.
Shelter on the Sojourner campus for the pets of women escaping domestic violence.
• Lifetime of Care – Because each year between five and seven million pets enter animal shelters due to the death of their owners and of these, approximately three to four million are euthanized, LOHPR offers a program that guarantees placement of your pet(s) in a loving home if you’re not around to care for them.
Thinking Outside the Kennel Managed by a leadership team and board, LOHPR continues to find unique and innovative ways of supporting and nurturing the bond between humans and pets. For example, who would have ever thought to host a child’s birthday party at a shelter? You can at this recently renovated facility. And, in checking out their ambitious calendar of events, LOHPR offers a year of activities with something for everyone.
They even thought of this. When the Tempe Police Department rescues or encounters animals during patrol or on emergency calls, there’s a designated holding room at LOHPR where they can bring the animals 24/7. Pets are safe and cared for during what can be a harried and disturbing time of uncertainty.
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“Right now we have about 100 volunteers, but ideally we need about 400,” says Jodi. “We are also working hard to build up our foster base. We prefer for all our Temporary Care dogs and cats to be in foster homes since they are with us for up to 90 days. We also use fosters for under-age kittens and puppies, and for adoptable pets that need a break from the shelter.”
Jodi went on to share that LOHPR always has a waiting list for their Temporary Care program (many times 50 animals deep). “It’s heartbreaking with pet parents crying daily on the phone trying to find a way to keep their pet. We really need help in this area both with fosters (desperately need large dog fosters) and money to care for the pets. We cover the cost of all the medical and daily care. It’s an expensive program because in addition to spay/ neuter and vaccines needed, many of the pets have untreated illness or injuries that the pet parent couldn’t afford to treat—including surgeries. Only 17 percent of pet parents in this program are able to contribute anything toward their pet’s care.”
2323 South Hardy Drive Tempe, AZ 602.445.7387 lostourhome.org
Touching Tails
Editor’s Note: The last issue of THE WAG magazine (Fall, 2019) featured Sky Sanctuary Rescue, highlighting the capture of Larry, King of the Strays. Following years of pursuit, Larry was captured and relieved of his king-pin responsibilities of protecting all the neighborhood strays. He received extensive medical care, settled into his forever home and was enjoying a new life with an abundance of love from his adoring human pack. Unfortunately, and very unexpectedly, Larry passed away. His legend, however, lives on as shared by Caitlin Beall, co-founder of Sky Sanctuary Rescue.
