April
April was born on April 3, 1991. She was our first mare and, oh, what a lovely, sweet, and spicy friend she was. She wasn't coming to stay....she was coming to heal and then be sold to a new home. Her arrival at our sanctuary enabled her to do a great deal of emotional and physical healing. All four of her feet were excruciatingly painful, she had a bad infection on her lower leg and she was depressed, seriously depressed. She had been hurt by humans and other horses and she had checked out.
No one liked her when she came, there was nothing there to connect to. She required a lot of care, some of it painful, and through it all, she never once acted out in any way to put us at risk. The first vet who worked on her commented on her willingness to be helped in spite of her pain.
When she had healed enough for her owner to sell her, we couldn't let her go. We paid the fee, and from that moment on, she was HOME...she was loved, and was the best girlfriend, mentor, maternal presence one could ever hope for.
April was the rock of our animal-assisted work and she shined when busloads of children came to learn about empathy. She was also very opinionated about how her life needed to be. We love that about her! She also became an integral part of the domestic group of horses here, a situation that she could not tolerate when she first arrived.
She was most deer like when out and about on the property, she not only saw what was on the ground but scanned above her head as well. The birdfeeder was a pleasant reward that no other horse had found.
April loved bananas, interrupting office work by peering through windows and generally sharing her opinion of all things great and small. We miss her every day and keep fond memories close to our hearts and minds by sharing stories of her funny antics and incredible work with humans that healed so many.
No one liked her when she came, there was nothing there to connect to. She required a lot of care, some of it painful, and through it all, she never once acted out in any way to put us at risk. The first vet who worked on her commented on her willingness to be helped in spite of her pain.
When she had healed enough for her owner to sell her, we couldn't let her go. We paid the fee, and from that moment on, she was HOME...she was loved, and was the best girlfriend, mentor, maternal presence one could ever hope for.
April was the rock of our animal-assisted work and she shined when busloads of children came to learn about empathy. She was also very opinionated about how her life needed to be. We love that about her! She also became an integral part of the domestic group of horses here, a situation that she could not tolerate when she first arrived.
She was most deer like when out and about on the property, she not only saw what was on the ground but scanned above her head as well. The birdfeeder was a pleasant reward that no other horse had found.
April loved bananas, interrupting office work by peering through windows and generally sharing her opinion of all things great and small. We miss her every day and keep fond memories close to our hearts and minds by sharing stories of her funny antics and incredible work with humans that healed so many.
Dixie
One Heart Wild's oldest resident, Dixie came to us in 2018 after retiring from a youth equine therapy program where she had lived for 22 years. The organization lost the lease on their land and had to rehome all of their horses. As Dixie was nearly 30 years old and deemed unrideable due to a past injury, they had difficulty finding her a new home.
In her previous therapy program, Dixie would often be tied to a stake while hundreds of small hands and eager bodies approached and touched her. As such, when she first came to One Heart Wild, Dixie wanted nothing to do with humans. She was OVER being touched and handled without her consent.
With time and space, Dixie became curious about humans again. One day, during a visit from kids participating in our Animals & Empathy program, Dixie came out of her shell, walking into the middle of a group and falling immediately asleep. From then on, she chose to be part of things when she was feeling resourced, and she enjoyed the attention she received on her terms.
In her previous therapy program, Dixie would often be tied to a stake while hundreds of small hands and eager bodies approached and touched her. As such, when she first came to One Heart Wild, Dixie wanted nothing to do with humans. She was OVER being touched and handled without her consent.
With time and space, Dixie became curious about humans again. One day, during a visit from kids participating in our Animals & Empathy program, Dixie came out of her shell, walking into the middle of a group and falling immediately asleep. From then on, she chose to be part of things when she was feeling resourced, and she enjoyed the attention she received on her terms.
Tigger
Tigger & his brother Bear were adopted from the humane society in 2001. They have been an integral part of our inter-species family, getting along with everyone; chickens, dogs, horses, goats, guinea pigs and bunnies. Bear passed in 2016, but Tigger is still enjoying all that Sanctuary life offers him.
Tigger and Sparky goat saw the coming and going of all of the Sanctuary residents until Sparky's passing in 2020. Tigger loves to follow visitors and clients around the property, and when he needs a senior break he can be found straddling the top rail of the front yard fence, a classic Tigger picture. He enjoys participating in client sessions, workshops, and training events.
Tigger and Sparky goat saw the coming and going of all of the Sanctuary residents until Sparky's passing in 2020. Tigger loves to follow visitors and clients around the property, and when he needs a senior break he can be found straddling the top rail of the front yard fence, a classic Tigger picture. He enjoys participating in client sessions, workshops, and training events.
Sprout, Cedar & Willow
Forever foster guinea pigs Sprout, Cedar and Willow were taken in by One Heart Wild’s manager, saved from being sold as snake food. The three siblings now spend their days playing and lounging in their cage mansion.
Every few weeks they accompany their human to local schools and help teach children about humane education, boundaries and empathy for animals. They are curious, and once they trust you, they even like to sit on your shoulders!
Every few weeks they accompany their human to local schools and help teach children about humane education, boundaries and empathy for animals. They are curious, and once they trust you, they even like to sit on your shoulders!
Cece
CeCe has such a curious personality. When we pick her up to love her or to take her outside for time in the sun and on the grass, she looks right at you. It is so amazing to see her confidence and curiosity expressed in her willingness to make eye contact.
She was the first one to figure out she could come right up to the door and take a treat from our hands. She is also willing to try anything we offer.
She was the first one to figure out she could come right up to the door and take a treat from our hands. She is also willing to try anything we offer.
Bianca
Bianca has had some trauma in her life and used to be defensive and protective of herself. She also had some damage to one ear ... maybe frostbite? Since her arrival, Bianca has become one of our most cuddly animals. She has learned that humans are safe and will respect her boundaries.
She really loves to be pet and will crouch down and close her eyes with enjoyment, but she can't tolerate humans who won't give her time to trust.
She really loves to be pet and will crouch down and close her eyes with enjoyment, but she can't tolerate humans who won't give her time to trust.
Duncan
Duncan bunny was found in the woods by a local family. Their son had spent time in our Animals & Empathy Program at his school and thought we might be able to help this extremely social rabbit. As soon as he arrived, we knew he would fit right in.
Duncan is more dog than bunny. He enjoys vigorous scratches, all humans that stop by his cage, and frolicking in the grass. He is full of energy and enjoys going to schools -- running around classrooms and jumping in kids laps.
We offered him a friend via speed-dating, but after meeting several other rabbits, we found he much prefers humans over his own species. And here at One Heart Wild, we respect that decision!
Duncan is a staff, volunteer & visitor favorite. Make sure you swing by and visit him when you next come to Sanctuary.
Duncan is more dog than bunny. He enjoys vigorous scratches, all humans that stop by his cage, and frolicking in the grass. He is full of energy and enjoys going to schools -- running around classrooms and jumping in kids laps.
We offered him a friend via speed-dating, but after meeting several other rabbits, we found he much prefers humans over his own species. And here at One Heart Wild, we respect that decision!
Duncan is a staff, volunteer & visitor favorite. Make sure you swing by and visit him when you next come to Sanctuary.
Copper
Copper became part of the One Heart Wild family after his former bff Sunny chose him from a local rescue. Sunny had come to One Heart Wild by accident, as a little bunny headed for life in a breeding barn. After moving into the house, we fell in love with Sunny. Being sensitive to the fact that all social animals need social company of their own kind, we wanted Sunny to pick a friend to share her life with. We took her to a bunny rescue where she got to hop around and meet the bunnies looking for a forever home. She chose Copper.
Copper and Sunny became the best of friends and have spent much of their time together in and out of their cage, exploring the house and deck with the dogs and cats. Sunny recently passed away, leaving Copper behind. Lonely and adrift, Copper misses his best companion friend. We have decided to move Dottie into the house, placing her cage next to Copper's. We are hopeful they'll become friends and offer one another companionship in the wake of Sunny's passing.
Copper and Sunny became the best of friends and have spent much of their time together in and out of their cage, exploring the house and deck with the dogs and cats. Sunny recently passed away, leaving Copper behind. Lonely and adrift, Copper misses his best companion friend. We have decided to move Dottie into the house, placing her cage next to Copper's. We are hopeful they'll become friends and offer one another companionship in the wake of Sunny's passing.
Bennie
Bennie came from a local Cavy Rescue to be a partner to Jet after both pigs lost their original best friends. Although they never became close snuggle buddies, they enjoyed each other's companionship. Bennie has always been a bit more worried about life and things than Jet. Born in 2015, Bennie is a senior guinea pig.
Bennie developed pretty severe arthritis early in life. The vet thinks it was likely from not getting good nutrition when he was just a baby. He has periods of pretty significant pain that is managed well with pain medications but most of the time he is comfortable and content without that medical support.
Until recently, both he and Jet lived together in a smaller one level home to support their little arthritic bodies. Since Jet's passing, Bennie now lives alone in his home but is surrounded by other bunnies, guinea pigs and chinchillas in our small animal barn.
Bennie developed pretty severe arthritis early in life. The vet thinks it was likely from not getting good nutrition when he was just a baby. He has periods of pretty significant pain that is managed well with pain medications but most of the time he is comfortable and content without that medical support.
Until recently, both he and Jet lived together in a smaller one level home to support their little arthritic bodies. Since Jet's passing, Bennie now lives alone in his home but is surrounded by other bunnies, guinea pigs and chinchillas in our small animal barn.
Wilbur
Long before we even knew about Wilbur or could imagine how he would steal our hearts, we longed to have pigs live at One Heart Wild. We know when people meet different species and get to know them as personalities, more like us than different, they start caring about how those animals are treated in the world. Pigs are in dire need of people caring more about their plight with humans.
In winter of 2016 we were contacted by our friends at Pony Up Rescue. They had rescued a pig in November and were looking for a forever home for him. That pig was Wilbur and we were so excited to meet him and give him a safe, loving, forever home.
He had been feral for years after a history of neglect and abuse. Both chapters of his previous life included trauma and suffering. Pony Up gave him a chance at knowing love and kindness, and as hard as it was on them and Wilbur to transfer him to One Heart Wild, he was getting the forever home he deserved and needed.
Wilbur was scared to death of long handled implements, the kind we clean horse stalls and his trailer with. He would cry at the sight of one, a sign of his past trauma. In the beginning we would have someone sit and comfort him while another person cleaned his area. After a couple of weeks getting used to everyone, we started taking him out for walks at liberty. At first, all of Wilbur’s outings were rather frantic as he nervously trotted around, scanning the property, looking for his escape routes and figuring out if he was safe or not. The day he went on his first walk, we celebrated. That was the day we knew he felt like he was home. From that first walk, he has continued to BE HOME here and has stolen the hearts of everyone who meets him.
In winter of 2016 we were contacted by our friends at Pony Up Rescue. They had rescued a pig in November and were looking for a forever home for him. That pig was Wilbur and we were so excited to meet him and give him a safe, loving, forever home.
He had been feral for years after a history of neglect and abuse. Both chapters of his previous life included trauma and suffering. Pony Up gave him a chance at knowing love and kindness, and as hard as it was on them and Wilbur to transfer him to One Heart Wild, he was getting the forever home he deserved and needed.
Wilbur was scared to death of long handled implements, the kind we clean horse stalls and his trailer with. He would cry at the sight of one, a sign of his past trauma. In the beginning we would have someone sit and comfort him while another person cleaned his area. After a couple of weeks getting used to everyone, we started taking him out for walks at liberty. At first, all of Wilbur’s outings were rather frantic as he nervously trotted around, scanning the property, looking for his escape routes and figuring out if he was safe or not. The day he went on his first walk, we celebrated. That was the day we knew he felt like he was home. From that first walk, he has continued to BE HOME here and has stolen the hearts of everyone who meets him.
Reine
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Reine came to Sanctuary on March 6, 2021. She was 18 years old and had outlived the rest of her flock. After the recent passing of her last sheep friend, a local veterinarian referred her to us. Reine’s owner was elderly and had a difficult time caring for such a senior ewe. The transfer was heartbreaking for her owner, but he was grateful that she will have a loving forever home with us. We still provide pictures and updates, and he comes to visit often.
Reine has now settled in and has become “Granny Reine” to our two rambunctious boys Bertie and Bowie. She keeps them in line by establishing healthy boundaries and loves to lay in the sun. She recently started spending time outside of her enclosure to explore the sanctuary. She enjoys visiting Wilbur pig and Phoenix rooster daily |
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Jeffrey
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One Heart Wild took Jeffrey in from a goat rescue in King County. They found him sick and suffering at a local auction. He was just a baby, and he had infected injuries, pneumonia, a hacking cough and was starving.
We brought him to Sanctuary in the winter of 2009 and he lived in the house for months recovering before he could move outside with (now deceased) Sparky. Once he was feeling better, he spent the days out doing chores and getting to know Sparky. His favorite place to play was on top of the manure pile. Beneath the tarp was a mountain of warm manure becoming earth. He laid, slid, slept, and played king of the mountain on that pile for most of his first year. Sparky and Jeffrey were buddies for over a decade and while Sparky got older, Jeffrey got bigger. Topping out at over 185 pounds, he is taller than miniature horse Izzy. When little fragile Flower came to Sanctuary, we weren’t sure if Jeffrey would be safe for him but he amazed us all with his gentle head butts and willingness to get baby goat wild and PLAY! Jeffrey has been a people lover since the day we met him - a stealer of hearts at first sight. He loves to be groomed and will stand for as long as human arms and hands are willing. |
Dixie
One Heart Wild's oldest resident, Dixie came to us in 2018 after retiring from a youth equine therapy program where she had lived for 22 years. The organization lost the lease on their land and had to rehome all of their horses. As Dixie was nearly 30 years old and deemed unrideable due to a past injury, they had a difficult time finding her a new home.
In her previous therapy program, Dixie would often be tied to a stake while hundred's of small hands and eager bodies approached and touched her. As such, when she first came to One Heart Wild, Dixie wanted nothing to do with humans. She was OVER being touched and handled without her consent.
With time and space, Dixie became curious about humans again. One day, during a visit from kids participating in our Animals & Empathy program, Dixie came out of her shell, walking into the middle of a group and falling immediately asleep. Now, she chooses to be part of things when she is feeling resourced, and she enjoys the attention she receives on her terms.
In her previous therapy program, Dixie would often be tied to a stake while hundred's of small hands and eager bodies approached and touched her. As such, when she first came to One Heart Wild, Dixie wanted nothing to do with humans. She was OVER being touched and handled without her consent.
With time and space, Dixie became curious about humans again. One day, during a visit from kids participating in our Animals & Empathy program, Dixie came out of her shell, walking into the middle of a group and falling immediately asleep. Now, she chooses to be part of things when she is feeling resourced, and she enjoys the attention she receives on her terms.
Sparky
Sparkle – AKA Sparky came to the Bowen family in 1999 as a bottle-fed baby with a herdmate baby of a different breed, named Eddie. Both babies came with the disease CAE. Complications from CAE ended Eddie's life in 2013. Thankfully Sparky's health was not similarly impacted and he went on to live another 8 years. He was 21 when he passed. The oldest goat on record for both veterinarians who treated him. Sparky looked like a sheep in the winter due to his angora roots and a goat in the summer due to his pygmy roots. His looks were always a topic of conversation and some confusion.
He grew up playing head butting games with the kids and was still rearing up to play into his 20th year. He loved doing animal assisted therapeutic work. So many of our clients connected deeply with him. Young and old, most with high levels of anxiety and/or depression, found friendship with Sparky the tonic they needed. He had many friends who loved doing special things for him like making him winter fleece blankets, stopping by with one of his favorite treats, and spending time grooming him.
Sparky parented, mentored, and befriended two new goats to the herd; Jeffrey came shortly after Eddie died and Flower came in early 2017. Sparky was generous with his attention and support.
For the last five years of his life he enjoyed time outside of his enclosure roaming around looking for the best places to nap, eat, and socialize. He had special bonds with a few of the horses. April was particularly close with him and they often had verbal conversations. He liked Izzy and Dixie a lot as well and spent many hours hanging out around Montana. He taught us so much throughout his life. Not the least of which, the potential goats have for a long well lived life and the sacredness of being in relationship with him during his super senior years. He lived with grace and dignity for 21 years.
Sparky was here before One Heart Wild was born. He fit right in to all the new activities and greeted new Sanctuary residents with curiosity and enthusiasm. He is missed greatly and remembered for all the gifts being in relationship with him gave us.
He grew up playing head butting games with the kids and was still rearing up to play into his 20th year. He loved doing animal assisted therapeutic work. So many of our clients connected deeply with him. Young and old, most with high levels of anxiety and/or depression, found friendship with Sparky the tonic they needed. He had many friends who loved doing special things for him like making him winter fleece blankets, stopping by with one of his favorite treats, and spending time grooming him.
Sparky parented, mentored, and befriended two new goats to the herd; Jeffrey came shortly after Eddie died and Flower came in early 2017. Sparky was generous with his attention and support.
For the last five years of his life he enjoyed time outside of his enclosure roaming around looking for the best places to nap, eat, and socialize. He had special bonds with a few of the horses. April was particularly close with him and they often had verbal conversations. He liked Izzy and Dixie a lot as well and spent many hours hanging out around Montana. He taught us so much throughout his life. Not the least of which, the potential goats have for a long well lived life and the sacredness of being in relationship with him during his super senior years. He lived with grace and dignity for 21 years.
Sparky was here before One Heart Wild was born. He fit right in to all the new activities and greeted new Sanctuary residents with curiosity and enthusiasm. He is missed greatly and remembered for all the gifts being in relationship with him gave us.
Grace
Grace doesn’t have an adoption story, hers was a human rescue story and a testament to the synchrony and comfort our bond with other animals can be. Drea’s 98-year-old grandmother in Montana was in decline and dying in 2006. While spending the final weeks of her life with her, and grieving the imminent loss of one of the most important people in her life, Corgi puppies were being advertised in the local paper.
With three dogs at home, a new puppy wasn’t in the plan but Grace WAS in the plan. The breeder said that one puppy wasn’t quite right, her left eye was lazy and she suggested not considering that pup. That was the only pup Drea saw. She picked her up days later to share the drive back to WA. They didn’t make it out of MT before a uterine infection created the need for an emergency stop at a vet. Caring for her helped Drea move through her grief.
Her name, Grace, was in honor of how Drea's grandmother lived and left her life, and it is how Grace lived hers. She befriended every human and nonhuman animal who came to the Sanctuary with special patience for the chickens, bunnies, and guinea pigs. She loved participating in animal-assisted services, visited many schools, and showed incredible patience for children. She LOVED children. Grace was the heart of the Sanctuary. She was represented on the One Heart Wild logo to honor her contribution to our mission before we ever knew how epic that contribution would be.
With three dogs at home, a new puppy wasn’t in the plan but Grace WAS in the plan. The breeder said that one puppy wasn’t quite right, her left eye was lazy and she suggested not considering that pup. That was the only pup Drea saw. She picked her up days later to share the drive back to WA. They didn’t make it out of MT before a uterine infection created the need for an emergency stop at a vet. Caring for her helped Drea move through her grief.
Her name, Grace, was in honor of how Drea's grandmother lived and left her life, and it is how Grace lived hers. She befriended every human and nonhuman animal who came to the Sanctuary with special patience for the chickens, bunnies, and guinea pigs. She loved participating in animal-assisted services, visited many schools, and showed incredible patience for children. She LOVED children. Grace was the heart of the Sanctuary. She was represented on the One Heart Wild logo to honor her contribution to our mission before we ever knew how epic that contribution would be.
Gracie was a tolerant Auntie when her home was invaded by 5 foster puppies who demanded everyone's attention and extra care for weeks. Their mom and siblings were found in a ditch in California with a deceased adult dog. They came to Washington by way of a rescue organization.
They most certainly would not have lived without intervention. They were very sick with a heavy load of several different types of parasites. Happily, all the puppies found forever homes, one of them, Arrya (middle), within the One Heart Wild family.
They most certainly would not have lived without intervention. They were very sick with a heavy load of several different types of parasites. Happily, all the puppies found forever homes, one of them, Arrya (middle), within the One Heart Wild family.
Homer
Homer was well in to his teens when he came to Sanctuary. It is emotional to remember his presence. He was the rock of the domestic group of horses. Homer was instrumental in helping Montana orient towards healing. He had a love affair with April that included intimacy, he welcomed Skye and fathered him through his illness and transition, and when Johnny and Sierra were born he was the best Uncle you could imagine. He taught us so much! We didn't get enough time together and we treasure every precious year he was with us.
Homer was a professional roper and when he couldn't do that anymore he was a barrel racer and when his anxiety being raced became unmanageable regardless of the painful mechanics used to control him, he was no longer useful. He suffered emotionally from post traumatic stress and physically from a career where he was a tool vs. a thinking, feeling, conscious, fellow mammal. Not uncommon in the world of competition and entertainment with nonhuman animals.
When he got off the trailer, he was obese and couldn't take a step without tripping, his feet were in such bad shape. From the first moment we met him, he stole our hearts. He loved everyone, every human, every horse, every cat and dog. He was a character who loved to be in the middle of whatever was going on and even as he was healing himself, he was instrumental in the healing of many of the horses who came to live here.
We are grateful to have been the ones who got to love and honor him through his final earth chapter and we are immensely grateful for all he taught us and all he did for every being 2 or 4 legged who met him. It was a privilege to see the trauma triggers from his past life slowly lose their charge as he settled in to a life where he was loved and understood as the amazing Homer that he was.
Homer was a professional roper and when he couldn't do that anymore he was a barrel racer and when his anxiety being raced became unmanageable regardless of the painful mechanics used to control him, he was no longer useful. He suffered emotionally from post traumatic stress and physically from a career where he was a tool vs. a thinking, feeling, conscious, fellow mammal. Not uncommon in the world of competition and entertainment with nonhuman animals.
When he got off the trailer, he was obese and couldn't take a step without tripping, his feet were in such bad shape. From the first moment we met him, he stole our hearts. He loved everyone, every human, every horse, every cat and dog. He was a character who loved to be in the middle of whatever was going on and even as he was healing himself, he was instrumental in the healing of many of the horses who came to live here.
We are grateful to have been the ones who got to love and honor him through his final earth chapter and we are immensely grateful for all he taught us and all he did for every being 2 or 4 legged who met him. It was a privilege to see the trauma triggers from his past life slowly lose their charge as he settled in to a life where he was loved and understood as the amazing Homer that he was.
Mooshi
Mooshi was the pig who started our love affair with pigs! She went to college with a OHW family member to help ward off being homesick. Home for the holidays and when her human was studying abroad, we fell in love with her and five years later, Mooshi moved in as a permanent resident.
Mooshi was a OHW Animals and Empathy ambassador, visiting students in the classroom and teaching them about guinea pig needs, personalities, and care requirements.
Mooshi was a OHW Animals and Empathy ambassador, visiting students in the classroom and teaching them about guinea pig needs, personalities, and care requirements.
Willie
The first bird to come to Sanctuary, Willie was less than a year old when he was rescued from a death sentence because he was male. When humans breed other species for their own purposes, there is always a preferred sex, and that means death to the opposite sex. Hens are the preferred commodity but only as long as they can produce an egg a day. Roosters have minimal value in the human-chicken relationship and they suffer greatly as do the hens.
We didn't know anything about chickens when Willie came but he taught us. He was a prince of a guy, coming when his name was called, sharing meals, sleeping on the back of our chairs, and following us around to be a part of what was going on .... until the inevitable happened .... we rescued some hens and changed his world.
We didn't know anything about chickens when Willie came but he taught us. He was a prince of a guy, coming when his name was called, sharing meals, sleeping on the back of our chairs, and following us around to be a part of what was going on .... until the inevitable happened .... we rescued some hens and changed his world.
No longer at leisure to spend time with us, he now had a serious job to do and once again, he was teaching us.
Willie called the girls when he found good things for them to eat. He spent time running back and forth to check in with them if they separated in their quest for finding food. He called out different alarms for threats over head or on the ground, and when the coyote came, he fought and save two of the three girls. That fight left him with injuries that required surgery from which he healed and lived a good rooster life in Sanctuary.
Willie has passed on but the lessons he taught us about the chicken-human and chicken-chicken relationships live on.
Willie called the girls when he found good things for them to eat. He spent time running back and forth to check in with them if they separated in their quest for finding food. He called out different alarms for threats over head or on the ground, and when the coyote came, he fought and save two of the three girls. That fight left him with injuries that required surgery from which he healed and lived a good rooster life in Sanctuary.
Willie has passed on but the lessons he taught us about the chicken-human and chicken-chicken relationships live on.
Sunny
Sunny found her way here by accident as a little bunny headed for life in a breeding barn, confined to a cage not large enough for her to stand up in. She showed up the day our good friend Homer horse passed away.
Sunny moved into the house, and we fell in love with her. Being sensitive to the fact that all social animals need social company of their own kind, we wanted Sunny to pick a friend to share her life with. We took her to a bunny rescue where she got to hop around and meet the bunnies looking for a forever home. She chose Copper.
Sunny was spayed and Copper moved in as soon as she was ready for company. They became the best of friends and spent their days in and out of their cage with the dogs and cats, in and out of the pots on the deck and laying around grooming each other.
As Sunny aged, she developed arthritis and found movement to be painful. Once our therapeutic interventions no longer provided her with comfort, the decision was made to help Sunny transition. She left behind her best bunny friend and a host of humans who knew and loved her.
Sunny moved into the house, and we fell in love with her. Being sensitive to the fact that all social animals need social company of their own kind, we wanted Sunny to pick a friend to share her life with. We took her to a bunny rescue where she got to hop around and meet the bunnies looking for a forever home. She chose Copper.
Sunny was spayed and Copper moved in as soon as she was ready for company. They became the best of friends and spent their days in and out of their cage with the dogs and cats, in and out of the pots on the deck and laying around grooming each other.
As Sunny aged, she developed arthritis and found movement to be painful. Once our therapeutic interventions no longer provided her with comfort, the decision was made to help Sunny transition. She left behind her best bunny friend and a host of humans who knew and loved her.
Bellaroo
Bella was another hen rejected when she could no longer produce an egg a day. If hens are kept under lights so they unnaturally produce eggs year-round and are kept in stressful over crowded housing, their bodies burn out of egg laying between 2-3 years old. Their natural lifespan is at least a decade. Our oldest hen Daisy lived until she was 13.
We quarantine our hens for a couple of weeks to be sure they are healthy before slowly introducing them to the flock. The first morning after her arrival we heard a strange noise coming from the garage. It sounded like an awkward crow. As the days progressed, she perfected that crow and started exhibiting other rooster behaviors too. Like calling the other hens over to eat a treat she found while foraging.
Her previous human was stumped ... she had not done that with him. She, in fact, laid green eggs. We did some research and found the science around hens becoming more rooster-like in their behavior than hen-like.
Bellaroo, like many older hens, passed away due to what was most likely reproductive cancer. She is very missed at One Heart Wild.
We quarantine our hens for a couple of weeks to be sure they are healthy before slowly introducing them to the flock. The first morning after her arrival we heard a strange noise coming from the garage. It sounded like an awkward crow. As the days progressed, she perfected that crow and started exhibiting other rooster behaviors too. Like calling the other hens over to eat a treat she found while foraging.
Her previous human was stumped ... she had not done that with him. She, in fact, laid green eggs. We did some research and found the science around hens becoming more rooster-like in their behavior than hen-like.
Bellaroo, like many older hens, passed away due to what was most likely reproductive cancer. She is very missed at One Heart Wild.
Jet
Sweet, big, lovable Jet would steal your heart and calm your mind in a moment's worth of cuddling. He was very special, knowing the sound of the refrigerator opening, knives cutting fruit and veggies, and the crinkle of food wrappers, and he would "wheek" excitedly to ask for a treat. He and Bennie were excellent partners in helping clients relax, breathe deep, and awaken their curiosity about another species. Unfortunately, too many small nonhuman animals like these are seen as little more than passing fancy. We never stop to consider that they, like us, want a happy life that is suitable to their species and that they feel many of the same emotions we feel.
Jet passed away in 2021 from what was most-likely cancer. Born in 2014, Jet was quite a senior guinea pig. Jet came to Sanctuary with his brother Buddha when they were babies. Sadly, our friend Buddha passed away at just one years old in 2015. Although we are uncertain what caused his death, based on his prior happy, healthy, active behavior and eating, it appears it was a sudden onset of something like a heart attack or stroke.
After grieving the loss of Buddha, Jet moved in with Bennie and they became fast friends. Bennie, and all of us at One Heart Wild, miss our little friend Jet.
Jet passed away in 2021 from what was most-likely cancer. Born in 2014, Jet was quite a senior guinea pig. Jet came to Sanctuary with his brother Buddha when they were babies. Sadly, our friend Buddha passed away at just one years old in 2015. Although we are uncertain what caused his death, based on his prior happy, healthy, active behavior and eating, it appears it was a sudden onset of something like a heart attack or stroke.
After grieving the loss of Buddha, Jet moved in with Bennie and they became fast friends. Bennie, and all of us at One Heart Wild, miss our little friend Jet.