Bear is a sweet petite little yorkie who was one of the biggest cuddlers. He is generally quiet and would snuggle in in random areas of the home making his little bear cubby holes. He came in needing a fair amount of basic medical attention to help get him back on track with vetting but ended up feeling a lot better. He’d already been through a couple homes and when he found a good family they were hit by the Port Orchard tornado. His home was destroyed enough to displace the entire family but Bear and everyone else survived the tornado. Still he was shaken and had no where to go as his family had to find places to stay. He was fostered at the sanctuary but with his medical needs and being new to the family, the added costs with the tornado devastation and lack of somewhere to stay stable caused them to eventually find it best to let the rescue find Bear a forever family. He quickly recovered, other than his skin still slightly healing, but got the all clear to find a family of his own. He was looking for somewhere that he got spoiled with attention, affection and lots of time with his people. Bear got some application and looked over them very carefully when he decided he wanted to meet a specific couple. He went to his meet and greet and got a special daylong play date to get to know everyone in the family. We all could tell Bear absolutely adored them in no time at all and he seemed to already know the house like there was another force guiding him to all the spots and showing him that he was home. He knew where the doggy was and how to use it almost immediately, he even found the special doggy sunbathing porch, and enjoyed going out to keep all the squirrels out of the yard. He bonded with the couple and by the time his playdate was over he was asleep up top the couch, his couch, near his humans. We knew he’d just adopted them, and they were quick to officially adopt him. Bear is so in love with his family and happy they are retired and he gets to be doted on every day, all day.
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Pepper the pygmy goat had such an amazing soul. She came to the sanctuary malnourished and keeping her baby alive even at her own detriment. She came from a situation where a breeder and show goat home got in over their head and generally had goats dying at only half their lifespan of five years instead of ten. Pepper would've been just over that age range and was likely headed toward an early death herself. We always know in rescue that previous care plays a role in their over all lifespan but Pepper was a fighter and quickly recovered all the while taking good care of her baby Pebbles!
She lived for her little girl Pebbles and so the sanctuary ensured they got to live out their lives together, never to worry that her baby girl would be ripped away. Which is exactly how she lived her life for the last couple of years. Pepper also came in with another friend who is living at the sanctuary and would curl up together as family to sleep at night. She was outgoing and friendly and for the majority of her time was the matriarch for the herd, no matter her short stature. Within the last year of her time at the sanctuary she was slowly passing her matriarch position to her fellow friend Rem who took over running the herd and keeping everyone in line, giving Pepper the time to dote on friendship, volunteer attention, daily loving and of course lots of food! Pepper still made sure it was known that she was a close second of the herd and that if Rem needed back up or the kiddos needed to simmer down she'd be right there to give a good bahhhh at the girls and keep them in line. She was a great mama and amazing herd mate to everyone. Pepper was a very mannered lady, she would stand by your side awaiting her expected pets instead of jumping on you and knew her worth to be pampered. She was an immense pleasure to have at the sanctuary and we are so thankful so many volunteers got to show her love. She never complained a day in her life, and lived happily every single day! She didn't have a slow or long decline, instead it was rapid and sudden. Pepper was fine one moment and then down in the pasture the next, she was rushed to the vet and hospitalized where we ensured she was in no pain or discomfort and the vets took amazing care of her. She seemed to have lost control of her body with half paralysis and inability to walk suddenly and blindness in one side. We continued her hospitalization in hopes that treatment may be effective against any persistent or unknown infection but ultimately when no treatment was showing any effect we spent the evening at the vet with her and through much discussion it was best for Pepper to let her pass peacefully. Pepper greeted us vocally when we arrived and lifted her head to reassure us, she even wagged her tail during pets and cuddles. It made the decision so much harder but we always have to put their lives first and make decisions solely on what's best for them. A necropsy later showed that she had a brain stem and cerebellum abscess so large that they were surprised she'd lived as long as she had and held out to say goodbye and was as aware as she was. She truly showed us what a little fighter and miracle she was, her passing was peaceful and she never showed fear or any pain, she simply fell asleep in our arms wagging her little tail. She reminds us why we have the sanctuary, the lives we can help not just extend but have a happy end filled with sweet memories, help them wag their tails all the way through life and even pass with dignity and pain free. I only hope her spirit is still sometimes running the sanctuary and checking in with us, visiting me. Milo the polydactyl orange stripped kitty Milo was a unique kitty in many ways! He came into the rescue from being a house cat at the risk of being dumped outside due to allergies in a family member. His owner surrendered him to the rescue to give him a better life instead. He came into the rescue and got neutered, shots, fully vetted and treated for any bugs and was feeling pretty good afterwards. He had extra toes since he was a polydactyl and his feet looked like little mittens. His name wasn’t fitting since he was super sweet and cuddly, so he was quickly deemed our little Milo. He got lucky with an awesome foster who let him run the house and had a dog that he liked to play with, even when the pup thought of him as an annoying little brother! His foster human kids though were always there for him to comfort him and help him learn the ways, and provide him with a lap to cuddle up in. He quickly realized being a house kitty was the good life and that somehow the toys he destroyed would pop back up good as new! His foster family never let him in on the secret that they had to buy him new ones since he liked to rip them up so he must’ve just thought they were magic. This boy would run up for attention and meow to say hello. He would throw himself into your lap and was affectionate. He would even tolerate car rides really well if that meant he got to go with you somewhere, maybe to get more of those toys? His markings were adorable and although he would track kitty litter outside of the box, he was a well-mannered little man. He earned finding an amazing home, and he waited. He went to adoption events, he got his picture taken, posed as handsome as he could, and he waited. Finally, at one of the adoption events someone who had no plans to be there happened to pass by and spy Milo. They picked up this thing called an application and sure enough an application came in for “Milo”. After the process was finished it seemed like it was the home he’d been waiting for, what luck! He went to the meet and greet and he was so excited to get the perfect home that he got super shy. Luckily his new family knew he would be shy and sat on the floor with him and his favorite toy sent from his foster family to his new forever home. He found out that there was no reason to be shy and decided to explore this catopia life. Milo got adopted and not only did he get a large human family, but he got some fur siblings too! His brother even showed him the ropes of the home and where to scope out the best bird gazing views. We’re so happy to see Milo in his forever family 😊 Lady Bug, Emmie, Finn, and Ash! These 4 little cuties came to use because their owner recognized they needed immediately medical attention that they were unfortunately not able to provide. They were at risk of developing permanent leg disorders such as swimmers syndrome and were at a high risk of dying from flea infestations. They were picked up and rushed to the vet same day to be assessed. Lady Bug at the time was at the highest risk due to her severe anemia, while Finn was at the highest risk of having long term leg problems. While they were on a downhill slope, they were surrendered in time and have all since recovered to be normal kittens and Finn’s legs work perfectly now! 😊 Lady Bug (now renamed) who when given her first bath and flea comb had her white fur turn copper from all the blood has since become a gorgeous young Lady with a sweet personality. She is active although sometimes can be shy and is a great climber. She loves her siblings and got lucky to be adopted by a man who is retired and decided to offer his entire home to her AND her brother Ash so they could have an amazing life altogether. Ash (now renamed) is a feisty, confident little man and although he can be rambunctious, he had his look alike sister who helped keep him in line and would come over and give him some grooming when he got too crazy. He loved to explore, and even found dogs interesting. We’re excited that he and his almost twin sister got to stay together as they are quite the pair. Ash had a cute crown like grey markings around his neck while his sister had a lightning bolt marking down her back, they are such a cute little blue eyed duo. Finn is a fluffy big love bug. He is a ham who although had the worst leg control and required physical therapy when very young, he has since finished his kitty pilates and squats and graduated to jumping, playing and running. He loves to flip over and show off his fluffy belly, and will definitely let you know he wants pets when you walk into the room. He can be a bit lazy but you can’t help but love him all the more for it. We’re happy to announce that Finn was adopted by an awesome volunteer and will have a very pampered life! Emmie (now renamed Tetra) (happily adopted and her story is below). We’re so happy that all 4 of these little ones had a successful recovery and a happy ending with forever homes. Dexter is a sweet and spunky Chihuahua who came to us as a surprise. His dad was surrendered due to his families unfortunately situation with being unable to find housing. After months of trying and Summer heat setting in they noticed that his dad Steak was unable to cope with living in the car and heat any longer. Dexter’s who was Steak’s son had already found a home with someone but due to lack of care his family took him back and asked us to take Dexter and Steak together. We accepted both Steak and Dexter, and Steak with his medical issue and special needs along with older age has become a sanctuary resident. Dexter got baths, flea meds, heartworm meds, grooming and nails, neutered, shots, and micro-chipped and then worked on his manners learning how to be a family member. He started to learn to accept new people but still tends to be untrusting of people until after a few meetings. He did however show that he was happy to go on walks, meet new dogs casually, and was a gentleman with small animals and cats. His respectfulness with other animals and desire to bond with someone showed great promise of him flourishing in the right home that he could get lots of time with his trusted human. He then met Chele upon her visit to the Sanctuary and immediately took a liking to her with no shyness. We were astonished with how quickly he warmed up. She agreed to give him a trial in her home with her kitties and bird family. Dexter went to Chele’s house where he seemed to settle in quickly while we were there and was enamored with the fact that she had already bought him toys for him to claim and pile up on the couch to hoard. However, when we left he did turn fearful and reject Chele at first, but her patience and allowing him to settle in and come to her won him over and let him bond! Little by little he warmed up to Chele in big ways and eventually sought out her attention, protection and love. After a long trial he showed he was trustworthy with the bird and cats and build a special relationship with Chele. He still has household manners to learn but he knew he found his home and somewhere he will always be loved and cared for. We are so happy to announce that Chele and Dexter are family. Dexter is adopted. Tetra was one of four kittens in need of a rescue or at risk of death from anemia and permanent leg defects. Luckily, she was surrendered early enough to have no long-lasting negative effects on her health, legs or otherwise. Her and her siblings were picked up and taken into vet care immediately that same day.
Tetra was by far the most playful of the bunch at first and showed all the other kittens the ropes. She played hard, crashed out hard. Her hunting “skills” weren’t that amazing but her tiny butt wiggle surely was! She loved interaction and a snuggle her with a little playing in between. She quickly grew to be a lovely lady with medium to long gorgeous black and white fur and big golden/green eyes. When she went up for adoption at first she had lots of people love on her and stole hearts but couldn’t seem to find the home who had room to welcome her into their house. She went for her final shots visit at the vet office and all the vet techs swooned and took pictures of her adorable fluffy face. That was what did it! The vet tech who came in the next day quickly contacted the rescue and asked if the kittens were still available, which she obviously was because she was waiting for her! No wonder she hadn’t been immediately swept up, her mom was right there! They met and originally her mom was hesitant but couldn’t help the immediate bond. She went home and it wasn’t long after that the whole family was on board with adopting Tetra! The adoption was finalized, and Tetra went on the drive with the rescue owners to go to her new home. When they pulled up the adorable faces of her new human siblings were all patiently waiting by the window to welcome her. Tetra was a little nervous at first with all the attention and new smells, but her human siblings let her settle in patiently and made her feel at ease. She also had fellow kitty siblings who showed her the ropes and took her under their paw. Now she’s a full-fledged member of the entire family four legged or two and couldn’t be happier! It turned out to be a match made in heaven for her older paw siblings and her human kiddos. We couldn’t be more overjoyed for Tetra’s match <3 Spanky was quite the little turtle who is a fighter and survivor. His owner unfortunately ended up in an extended hospital stay and was unable to return home for care for her animals. Her friend was able to step in and due to the length of recovery and inability to care for him Spanky was in need of a new home. At this point though he’d gone without care for some time before the friend was able to get to him that friend rushed him into emergency care. Vets were able to provide him with around the clock care, treatment, medications, feedings and cleanliness. The bill was being taken care of by the friend but it quickly added up and she needed a rescue to step in and finish his recovery. Melt My Heart drove out and picked him up and continued his post care and regular injections and watched him flourish to returning to a healthy swimmy little turtle. Spanky quickly found a home being an indoor tank and outdoor pond turtle and having the best of both worlds. He was excited to never have to get a shot again and swim his way out the door into his new family. We are happy to say Spanky found a pond worth claiming as his own. Cockatoo’s are HUGE personality birdies, with a LOT of vocal capabilities. They pick who they love and who their partner will be throughout their life. They are basically like owning a child for the rest of your life and often outlive their owners as their lifespan can be 70+ years. Unfortunately, Snow had an amazing family for the first 13 years of her life when she went through that loss. Suddenly she had no family and found herself waiting for a new family, mourning her losses. She’d had a fellow feathered sibling who she was separated from and she quickly shut down. After being picked to go home with the founders of Melt My Heart she quickly took to being a cuddle bug, followed by feeling comfortable enough to show off her vocals and sometimes bossiness. She would get possessive sometimes of the humans, but she was working on her manners every day. She learned to like a new healthy diet and fresh chop, but definitely retained her love for unhealthy foods too. Snow once was riding in the car and recognized that the humans had stopped at one of those “drive through places” and when she realized these humans were unaware of the pact her previous family had with her, she let them hear it! Didn’t the know she was to ALWAYS get a French fry from a drive through?? Well she sure let them know! She also has a love of a piece of macaroni. I guess every’birdy’ has to have their vices, right? After a long wait looking for an experienced owner, who would also ensure that if anything were to happen she’d have the rescue as a backup and fellow family members to care for her, she finally found her match. A lovely woman came to visit her and instead of her normal standoffish self she was immediately all over and cuddling her and cooing. The adoption proceeded later on and Snow has had a happily ever after since! Green Machine ended up falling into a woman’s lap and she had no idea how to care for him. She realized he wasn’t doing well and took him to a local shop who got him into the rescue. At first he seemed to have little personality and almost no energy. He wouldn’t eat, he hardly moved, and he was bone thin for his age, or really most any age. Immediately he was provided the necessary husbandry and care, including working his appetite up and helping him settle into a new environment. Naturally he began to give some whips of insecurity as he gained his energy and confidence back but quickly got to know the caretakers and allow pets and calmed down. He gained weight at a drastic pace and followed it up with a very healthy molt. All signs were good and he quickly had a home waiting on him who had ample experience, a cage and set up prepared and the will to help him trust and bond! They drove out quite a ways and made sure he had a comfy ride home, updating us within the first few days of how well he adjusted and enjoyed his meals. We’re happy he found a great home, and know he’ll grow to be a nice big healthy boy! Whinny, Fawn and Scout find a home These three little girls came from an extremely dire life or death situation. A once good home was unable to maintain their goats after being diagnosed with dementia. A friend realized the situation and the dying, uncared for goats, needing immediate rescue and was able to gain surrender of the remaining goats and pull them off the property and involve animal control. With the help of Melt My Heart and another amazing goat rescue we were able to get placement for all 14 goats into necessary care right away. Whinny, Fawn and Scout went to an experienced goat foster who kept them in quarantine while all their vetting and tests were completed. Unfortunately, they did have a condition that required they be the only goats for the rest of their lives. With this in mind it was set out to find a special family who would love these three very tiny girls to the fullest regardless of their condition and would be happy only ever having three goats. We ended up finding an amazing family who was looking for just a small herd of little goats and was more than happy to provide them with all the luxuries they hadn’t gotten to experience! Their recovery included medicated baths, special treatments and more but they finally got to go home after finishing their treatment. In their new home they were originally confused as to what all these toys were and this amazing grass and soft clean beds in the shelter were for. They’d only been kept in a crammed and crowded dog kennel with no shelter and other dying or dead goats, and layers upon layers of filth. Fawn and Scout were not only malnourished but their skin had caked on dried urine. Their hooves were drastically over grown, and their digestive system was abnormal. Their treatment was successful despite they will forever have their condition that was explained to their new owner. Their new owner went through great lengths to research, prepare and accept these little girls into their loving family. The perfect match was found on a small family farm <3 *Update* This little trio turned out to have a special surprise after being adopted, one had a very early pregnancy that went undetected during her treatment and despite all the hardships and malnourished and neglected harsh conditions she KEPT that pregnancy all the way to term and had 2 healthy babies!! These miracle babies now live with their mama, and 2 aunts to make an adorable herd of 5! |
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