Year: 2023

Running for Love

May 17, 2023

By Judy Layne

July 4, 2022 was a day of unimaginable sorrow for Kevin. That’s the day when Kevin lost his long-time spouse and best friend Tammy, 17-year-old son Thomas, 18-month-old daughter Rosemary and beloved 18-year-old Beagle Rosco in a tragic car accident. Kevin unselfishly agreed to share the story of his heartbreak and how he plans to run in the upcoming Blue Nose Marathon to honour his lost family members and raise money for the SPCA. I am inspired by Kevin’s bravery and I know you will be too.

I asked Kevin how a person deals with such sudden staggering heartbreak. Kevin shared “Honestly, it’s been an unfathomable nightmare that I’m still hoping to wake up from. I lost 3/5 of what made up the core of what I felt I existed for. What can you really say when you lose two of your babies? No matter how many hugs, snuggles, or ‘I love you’s’ there were, it could never be enough. And then there’s Tammy, with whom I shared so much of my life and who was still one of my best friends ever. I would give anything in this world just to have one more minute with them. Rosco was an amazing dog, he was always so gentle with everyone and everything. Even very old, mostly blind, and a bit senile, he was still one of the best dogs I could imagine having.”

It’s a struggle coming out of a dark place of sadness into the light. “Part of me is still stuck on that day, and a part of me may always be,” said Kevin. “I try to focus on my daughter Renee and my partner Rachel. We talk about those we’ve lost daily and our memories of them. I don’t believe there’s been a day since the accident I haven’t shed tears for them. Sometimes it might be 3 minutes, other days 3 hours. I use running as a sort of meditation and focus tool as well. I’ve tried to conduct each day with respect to their memory.”

Kevin is running in the Blue Nose Marathon in honour of Tammy, Thomas, Rosemary and Rosco and to raise money for the SPCA. He explained “I wanted my first full marathon to have some meaning – to be something that would mean a lot to them. So I decided to support a cause that they cared deeply about. Tammy was a big supporter of the SPCA and of helping animals that might not be so easily adopted find a home to love them. We all loved our dogs – they were like family and brought laughter and joy to our life. Two of our 3 rescue beagles – Charlotte and Rosco – were from the Yarmouth SPCA. The Blue Nose has many fundraising options that other marathons might not, and I checked to see if they had, or were able to add, SPCA as a fundraising option, which they did.”

“We adopted Rosco when he was approximately 11 years old,” said Kevin. “He looked like a butterball turkey (Tammy said he had so many forehead wrinkles he looked like a Klingon), wheezed and coughed and couldn’t do much more than a slow waddle. I had thought that Rosco’s time was limited and we just wanted to give him a last good couple of months. The whole family, especially Thomas and Tammy who took turns snuggling with him each night, gave him lots of love. When she came along, Rosemary was amazingly gentle with him for someone so young. Rosco got into shape, lost about 20 lbs, and at 18 years old, definitely proved me wrong. We were planning on adopting a couple more beagles last year.”

I asked Kevin if the special reason behind why he’s running in the race helped him through the rigorous process of preparing for the marathon. He replied “Training takes months of preparation and sticking as best you can to a schedule. You need to be willing to go out in rain, snow, cold, and whatever nature feels like throwing at you. I’ve definitely hit some snags along the way that, if I wasn’t running in their memory, I would have put off doing this. When you hit the 20+km point in a run, it can be hard to stay motivated – especially on a solo run. I’ve had some good, supportive, running group friends helping me along the way, a good physiotherapist to help keep me training through injuries, and the support of my daughter Renee and partner Rachel.”

Kevin set a goal to raise $3,000 for the SPCA and he’s almost cracked the $2,000 mark. He encourages people to donate. He shared “The SPCA played a part in putting smiles on three very beautiful, amazing people’s faces who meant, and will always mean, so much to me. It would have made them very happy to know people were giving to support the SPCA in helping rescue animals and to think of the smiles they could put on other families’ faces too.”

Please show your support for Kevin’s beautiful legacy of love by donating. Donations can be made online here until June 11th.

Kevin’s wise words are a reminder for all of us. “Always let your loved ones, humans or pets, know how loved they are, how proud you are of them and how glad you are to have them in your life. Make it mean just as much each time you say it as if it’s the last time you might say it to them.”

Please click here to take a few minutes to read about the precious family members that Kevin lost.

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Linc. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

A True Heart Connection

May 16, 2023

By Taylor Huestis

The heart wants what it wants. No, we aren’t talking about Selena Gomez’s hit song. We mean that sometimes in life you are simply drawn to something – or in this case someone.

That’s what happened with Clinton and Bootsy.

“My son Clinton has a disability,” Bev, Clinton’s mom, explained. “He was born with a hole in his heart and many other issues. Last September he was approved to have his own apartment next door to me. One of the first things he asked me for was a cat.”

Although Bev’s family has a cat, Clinton insisted that he wanted his own furry friend. Bev advised that having a pet cat comes with a lot of responsibility, but Clinton was willing and ready.

So, off they went to the Pictou County SPCA Animal Shelter.

“He wanted to go to the SPCA as he thought there would be a cat needing a good home there,” Bev recalled. “We went to the SPCA in Granton to have a look. There were quite a few cats and kittens there but as he was looking a black and white cat named Bootsy stuck his paws out then rubbed his head up against the cage where Clinton was.”

This was surprising behaviour from Bootsy! Four-year-old Bootsy was usually very shy and spooked easily by loud noises.

“Clint said that is the cat I want,” Bev shared. “No matter where he went the cat kept trying to get his attention. I looked at the requirements to have Bootsy and he has a heart problem along with the fact that he is a timid cat.”

Bootsy was diagnosed with a 4/6 heart murmur by the SPCA Veterinary team. Normally, when listening to a heart you would hear lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub… but with Bootsy’s heart, you would hear a loud shooshing sound. This was caused by turbulent blood flow within the heart. Bootsy needed a special family that would monitor his heart condition and give him lots of love.

“I explained all of this to Clint and said that Bootsy has a bit of a bad heart,” Bev expressed. “That’s when Clinton said ‘So do I.’”

“So, home he came with Bootsy,” Bev continued. “He spent all of his extra money buying Bootsy a cat tower and a few toys. He gave him his own room and taught him not to be afraid. Now Bootsy loves company and is no longer afraid of people and jumps up to be petted. He talks to Clint all the time.”

“There has never been a better match made,” Bev smiled. “Clinton loves Bootsy and Bootsy loves Clint. Neither one is lonely and Clinton says it’s like having a new roommate. I am now very glad he picked Bootsy. It made the world of difference in Clinton and Bootsy is spoiled rotten.”

Heart murmurs sometimes scare some potential adopters away… but in this situation, it really hit home for Bev and Clint. Their hearts spoke to one another, and they knew they needed to be together.

We are so thrilled that Clint and Bootsy have become best friends. I think we can speak for everyone when we say this happily-ever-after makes our hearts happy.

 

Taylor Huestis

Taylor is the Communications & Development Officer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-parent to two cats named Bonnie and Boy (yep - that is his real name haha) and one palliative pup named Hazel. Connect with Taylor at thuestis@spcans.ca or 902-222-0378 today.

New Thrift Store Renovations Provide More Second Chances for Local Pets in Need

April 19, 2023

The Nova Scotia SPCA’s Cape Breton Thrift Store has recently undergone extensive renovations to better serve the community and provide more resources for the animals in their care. With expanded retail space, improved shelving, and extended hours, the store is now better equipped than ever to support the SPCA’s mission of improving the lives of abandoned, abused, and neglected pets.

The grand reopening of the Thrift Store has been met with enthusiastic support from the community. Residents have expressed their excitement for the new and improved store, which now boasts a larger selection of items and a more comfortable shopping experience. One of the most significant improvements is the removal of specific donation drop-off times. The store now accepts donations any time during regular hours, making it easier for the community to donate their gently used items.

In addition to the physical changes, the store has also implemented “Student Discount Saturdays.” Students who present their student ID at checkout receive a 10% discount on their single transaction of $15 or more. This initiative has been especially beneficial for the large community of newcomers to Canada in Cape Breton, who can take advantage of the discount to purchase essential items.

But the Thrift Store is much more than just a place to shop for bargains.

The store is a vital source of funding for the Nova Scotia SPCA, allowing them to continue to care for animals in need. The funds generated by the Thrift Store support the SPCA’s shelter operations, which include providing food, medical care, and support for animals in need. This support allows the SPCA to provide second chances for animals who might not otherwise have a chance at a happy, healthy life.

The Thrift Store is run by a dedicated team of volunteers and staff who are passionate about the SPCA’s mission. “Our thrift stores have the power to transform the lives of abandoned, abused, and neglected pets in their respective communities,” says Ryan Toomey, Development Officer for the Nova Scotia SPCA. “Tending to and growing this vital stream of funding for our shelter is thrilling. The values it embodies, the culture of giving it cultivates, and the second chances it’s providing every day give me and the rest of the thrift team the motivation we need every day to make things better and better.”

The Nova Scotia SPCA’s Thrift Store is a truly non-profit store, which means that every purchase and donation directly supports the SPCA’s mission. The store is always looking for donations of gently used items such as clothing, household goods, and furniture. With the spring cleaning season upon us, donating unwanted items to the Thrift Store can have a significant impact on the lives of local pets in need.

To keep the momentum going, the Thrift Store welcomes feedback from the community. “We want to hear from you,” says Toomey. “Your feedback is invaluable to us as we strive to continuously improve and better serve the needs of our community and the animals in our care. Please feel free to contact me directly at rtoomey@spcans.ca with any comments or suggestions.”

The renovations to the Nova Scotia SPCA’s Thrift Store have provided a renewed sense of hope for the animals in their care and the community they serve. With expanded resources and a team of dedicated volunteers and staff, the Thrift Store is truly a place where second chances are possible.

A Tribute to Selena

April 19, 2023

By Creston Rudolph

Last month, we said goodbye to a dear kitty that I had the honor of sharing an office with for three months in 2022.  This story is dedicated to her.
Rest in Peace – Selena

Selena, a stunning ten-year-old tabby cat was surrendered at the Dartmouth Shelter last August. She came to us, suffering from several health issues including ear infections, ear polyps, and allergies. Our medical staff determined that she would likely require antibiotic ear drops twice a week, a once-a-week ear cleaning, and a daily allergy pill for the rest of her life. Recognizing that Selena’s considerable medical needs would make it difficult to find her a permanent home, we decided to place her in our Palliative Care Program.

About the Palliative Care Program

While to many people, the term ‘palliative care’ is associated with dying, the Nova Scotia SPCA’s Palliative Care Program is about living. It’s about ensuring that senior pets and those with compromised health get to live out the rest of their days in a foster home filled with love, caring, comfort, and happiness.

The Nova Scotia SPCA developed the Palliative Care Program to cover the costs of animals like Selena who have greater medical needs. We pay for the ongoing medical care through our own Animal Hospitals and Clinics to keep costs as low as possible. All we ask is that someone takes them home, gives them love, and provides them with a retirement home.

The Program started in 2009 when a 14-year-old mixed-breed dog named Darla was left at the SPCA’s shelter in Dartmouth. When Darla came into the shelter, staff were concerned that no one would adopt her because of her age and medical needs. It was apparent that she still had a zest for life and just needed someone to love her. Soon after, the Nova Scotia SPCA developed the Palliative Care Program to cover the costs of animals like Darla who have greater medical needs.

Since its inception, more than 188 animals and families have benefited from this program. In 2022, 48 new animals entered the program. There are currently over 90 animals enrolled. Thanks to the generous support of donors, ongoing treatment to keep palliative care pets healthy and happy is covered for life.

Selena Becomes my Office Mate

While waiting for her retirement home, Selena was transferred from the Shelter to the SPCA’s Provincial Office.  The SPCA’s Provincial Office is my home base and is located next door to the Shelter on Scarfe Court in Dartmouth.  It is also home to our Enforcement, Fund Development, Administration, and College of Animal Welfare teams.

Cats come to live at our Provincial Office every so often when our shelter team feels that they would thrive in a more homelike environment while waiting to be adopted.

When Selena arrived at the office, I don’t remember seeing a lot of her.  After she ate and my colleague Taylor attended to her medical needs, Selena would frequently hide under Taylor’s desk.

Taylor quickly took on the role of Selena’s primary caregiver and best bud. If Selena did venture from underneath her desk, it would be to curl up on the chair next to Taylor to have a snooze.

I consider Taylor to be a cat whisperer with magical cat whisperer powers. She has two cats of her own and fosters SPCA cats on a regular basis.  The bond that Selena and Taylor created in such a short amount of time was amazing.

“Every single morning, it was such a joy to see her squished up little face and have her jump on my desk and hear her quirky meow,” Taylor recalls fondly.

Taylor is an extremely hard worker and will often forget to take time out of the workday for herself. That all changed when Selena came along.

“She reminded me to take breaks by jumping on my desk, laying on my keyboard and demanding pets.” Taylor recalls.

After a while, Selena started feeling more comfortable and began venturing outside of Taylor’s office. Her brave personality also began to show.

I will never forget the time when I brought my three-year-old pup Kuma into the office. Kuma is the boss in my household (apologies to my partner Terri 😉) and regularly antagonizes her older brothers Charlie and Tony.

As we entered the office that day, Selena quickly caught the scent of Kuma. Her ears perked up and she got up from her favorite chair in Taylor’s office to check out the situation.

Selena planted herself firmly in Taylor’s doorway, locked eyes with Kuma, and shot her the most menacing stare that I’ve ever seen a cat make. Kuma is not one to be intimidated but there was something about Selena’s stare that convinced her that she wasn’t to be messed with.

Kuma looked up at me sheepishly as if to say “Daddy, please protect me!”  We cautiously walked past Selena down the hallway to my office.  Selena didn’t take her eyes off Kuma for one second.

Kuma has been to my office numerous times and each visit; she would leave my workspace to explore.  That day, she stayed planted near my desk as she was afraid to run into Selena.

This memory brings a smile to my face because I’ve never seen Kuma so timid in the four years that I’ve had her.

Now you’re probably thinking to yourself “That’s horrible for you to find pleasure in this memory.”  For me, it signaled a major turning point for Selena. She was no longer afraid and was starting to show more of her personality.

 The Adoption Process

Taylor was Selena’s biggest cheerleader and protector. Any time, a potential adopter visited our office to meet Selena, Taylor kept a close eye on them to see how they interacted with one another.

On one occasion, a potential adopter came to visit Selena when Taylor was out of the office. I distinctly remember Taylor asking me to scope out the potential adopter and report back with the results of the meet and greet.

After three months and several promising but unsuccessful meet and greets, confidence began to wane that Selena would find a loving retirement home.

That was until, Jen Welshman, Associate Director of Veterinary Education at the Nova Scotia SPCA’s College of Animal Welfare decided to play the role of matchmaker.

Jen knew that her parents Madeline and Ben could use a furry companion in their lives and would provide Selena with a great retirement home. Madeline and Ben didn’t know if they would ever have a pet again after losing their last cat Jasper.

Jen called her mom and convinced her and her father to visit the SPCA office to meet Selena. Madeline remembers Jen’s exact words when she called that day. “I have someone for you to meet.  It’s not actually a person ….. it’s a puuurrson.”

“After losing Jasper, we decided that if we were to adopt again, it would be a mature cat that was surrendered by its owner.” Madeline went on to say.

Soon after, Madeline and Ben came to the office to meet Selena.  It was love at first sight. Selena immediately came to greet Madeline and Ben and began rubbing up against them. They took Selena home that same day.

Taylor remembers that day very well.

“Selena leaving was extremely bittersweet. I was happy that she was going to live with a loving family in her sunset years. I feel very privileged to have gotten to know her and get her love,” she said.

Selena’s New Digs

Selena settled into her new home quickly and began showing off her mischievous personality. She would oftentimes disappear only to be found in the shower having a little drink.

During the holiday season, Selena disappeared, and Madeline and Ben began to get worried. After an extensive search, they found her hidden underneath the tree playing hide and go seek.

Madeline has a nursing background, so she was prepared for all the extra care that Selena required. She needed to be clever to get Selena to take her medication.

“We would put a dab of wet food on kibble and attach the antibiotic so that she would eat her pill,” Madeline recalls.

Ben encourages animal lovers to adopt a palliative care pet but has some words of advice before taking the leap.

“It’s a rewarding experience, but you must be committed, willing, and prepared. You really need to want to do it because of the extra care involved – administering medicines etc.” he said.

“Although it’s a lot of work, Selena makes it worthwhile,” Ben went on to say with a big smile.

Selena and Ben grew quite close in a short amount of time. Ben was Selena’s favourite snuggle buddy. She would perch herself on Ben’s lap anytime he was on the couch or office chair. If she wasn’t laying on his lap, you would find her nestled up against Ben with her paw lovingly touching his leg.

When I visited Madeline, Ben, and Selena in early March to interview them for this story, I was moved by how happy they were together. Selena was fully settled in, and Madeline and Ben were smitten with her. Madeline beamed with pride and joy as she showed me pictures and videos of Selena that they took.

Selena was living the best retirement life we could have ever imagined for her.

A Sad Day

Soon after my visit, Selena’s health took a turn for the worst and we lost her on March 20th. It was a shock to us all.

“We are very sad about Selena but thankful for the time we did have with her.  Our place feels empty without her here – she certainly made her presence known.  She’s very easy to miss since she was so vocal and affectionate. Four months wasn’t a long time, but it felt like she lived with us forever. She just fitted in so well.” Madeline wrote to me after Selena’s passing.

Taylor was deeply saddened but feels blessed to have spent the time she did with Selena.

“Instead of saying ‘senior years,’ I always told Selena that she was in her ‘sunset years.’ You know a sunset cannot last forever, but if you don’t let yourself experience it, you totally miss out on something beautiful. It’s a peaceful and magical time, and I feel so lucky that I got to share some of her sunset years with her.”

“Selena brought a lot of light into our lives. When I look at a colourful sunset, I’ll always think of her pawing at my face and snoring away on her favourite chair. She was very special and will be deeply missed.”

 

To learn more about the SPCA’s Palliative Care Program and how you can support, please contact Creston Rudolph at crudolph@spcans.ca

 

Creston Rudolph

Creston is a Development Officer with the Nova Scotia SPCA. He and his partner Terri are proud parents to a cat named Tony (Colchester SPCA alum) and two Shiba Inu dogs named Charlie and Kuma. He loves connecting with SPCA donors to thank them and to let them know how big of an impact their gifts are making. Connect with Creston at crudolph@spcans.ca to learn more about leaving a gift to the SPCA in your will.

From Student to Proud Staff Member

April 19, 2023

By Sarah Lyon

Amy joined the first Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare class because she wanted to work with animals. “Before enrolling in the Veterinary Assistant program, I didn’t have a single connection to the animal welfare industry,” says Amy Choi, a member of the inaugural graduating class of Veterinary Assistants from the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare. “However, I learned many things and got precious experiences here. And I want to say this program changed my life, and it paves a new way for me. I am so pleased to be a part of the animal welfare industry.”

Choi was one of eight graduates of the new program. The SPCA built a curriculum aimed to expand the knowledge and establish hands-on skills for Vet Assistant graduates. Located in Dartmouth, students receive both classroom training and experience with animals of all kinds. “On the first day, we explored the college, and I was surprised,” says Choi. “The SPCA hospital and shelter are right next door to our lecture hall. I was excited and looked forward to visiting them and learning.”

Marni Tuttle, Vice-President of the College, says the Nova Scotia SPCA is tackling the veterinary shortage head-on. “Our goal is to graduate Vet Assistants who can operate to their full scope of practice – working directly with clients and with their pets. Well-prepared VAs make a practice operate more efficiently and help Veterinarians help more animals.”

And working with animals, the students sure did. Cats, dogs, rabbits, and even snakes, visit the classroom. The admissions team looks for attitude, aptitude and commitment. “The hardest part of the program for me was the hands-on experience with animals. I was kind of nervous in the beginning of the semester because I hadn’t been exposed to animals as much as my classmates,” says Amy. “I felt insecure about myself. However, all the instructors of the program were so kind and knowledgeable and have a lot of field experience. I could practice many hands-on skills in class until I felt confident. It was the hardest but also the best part of the program.”

Students go on field trips to learn about the medical care of larger animals like horses. This was one of Amy’s favourite activities. “Field trips were one of the best parts! We went to animal-related places – like Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park – and we learned about not only companion animals but also farm animals, and wild animals. It was a unique and educational experience.”

Before graduation Amy was offered and accepted a full-time Veterinary Assistant at the SPCA Veterinary Hospital.

 

Sarah Lyon

Sarah is the Director of Marketing and Communications with the Nova Scotia SPCA. At home, she parents rescue dog Mz. Roxy Roller and son Lochlan. Telling the stories of adopters, donors, and volunteers is what makes her tail wag. Connect with Sarah at slyon@spcans.ca or 902-229-8620 today.

A Bright New Beginning for Bucky

April 19, 2023

By Judy Layne

Healing. Hope. A fresh start. Three things that every homeless animal who comes to the Nova Scotia SPCA can count on. Just like Bucky did.

Seven-year-old Bucky was seized by SPCA Enforcement Officers on May 19, 2022, and brought to safety at the Kings SPCA Shelter. Despite his history, Bucky had a calm gentle nature and tried to give hugs to everyone at the shelter. When he was put up for adoption, everyone hoped that this sweet senior boy would find a special home. And he definitely did!

Glenn had never had a dog before and initially set out to adopt a puppy. But when he saw Bucky’s photo and write-up, he was immediately drawn to him. Glenn related “Becoming a first-time ‘dog dad’ was very exciting. I had looked after my friends’ dogs before, but never had a dog of my own. I got to thinking that an older dog would be more relaxed than a puppy. When I met Bucky, he was definitely charming and after eight hours of not being able to get him out of my mind, I knew it was the right thing to do. Adopting Bucky was one of the best decisions I have ever made!”

Bucky and Glenn definitely have the perfect partnership. “Yes, I admit that Bucky does sleep in my bed (our bed now!),” laughed Glenn. “I go to sleep in a great mood and wake up in a great mood. I must say that waking up to a 95-lb dog standing above you first thing in the morning wakes you up fast! We have breakfast together (Bucky’s a foodie) while we listen to music and then we start our day off with a walk. He loves relaxing on the deck, watching his dad cut the lawn, hanging out with my friends (our friends now!) and snuggling. Bucky also likes to swim and is always surprised when his dad joins him in the water.”

Bucky is well-behaved, smart, and always listens to his dad, even when it comes to cats. Glenn shared “When I adopted Bucky, I was told that he does not like cats. The problem?? A very good friend of mine has a cat and we both thought ‘oh, oh.’ On the drive over to meet Amy the cat for the first time, I told Bucky that this cat is not to be touched or I would be dead! As we carefully introduced Bucky and Amy, it was clear that Bucky understood what I had told him. After a few visits, Bucky had a new feline friend in Amy. And interestingly, Bucky purrs just like a cat!”

Bucky has experienced a lot of ‘firsts’ together with Glenn. For instance, Glenn said “Bucky met horses for the first time the other day. He was a little unsure, but his tail started to wag when he saw me patting the horses.”

Having Bucky by his side has allowed Glenn to tap back into being a kid again. “Yes, Bucky has been a driving force behind that as well,” chuckled Glenn. “I quickly learned that dog toys just don’t cut it with Bucky. So, what to do?? I looked on YouTube and saw a video of a dog playing with a radio-controlled tank like the one I used to play with ‘back in the day.’ I ordered one and Bucky watched with interest as I put it together. Now, he likes to follow the tank and tries to figure out what it’s going to do next.”

When asked what difference Bucky has made in his life, Glenn replied “I no longer think of myself as ‘I’; now it’s ‘we.’ My world before Bucky was work, sleep, cottage, friends which is fine from one perspective. Now that Bucky is in my life, he reminds me that a walk is good for you and he ensures I go to bed at a reasonable hour! He also makes me slow down and enjoy the moment. Oh yes, housework – I don’t think I have ever done as much cleaning or vacuuming in my life,” Glenn chuckled, “but it’s odd, I enjoy it now!”

Glenn praised staff members at the Kings SPCA. “They are the best! They knew that I was a first-time dog dad and they explained everything thoroughly so I could give Bucky the care and attention he needs. Bucky and I go back to visit every few months and you can see that the staff genuinely care about him.”

Glenn encourages everyone to think about adopting a senior pet. He shared “Older dogs sometimes have trouble getting adopted because people may tend to look for puppies like I did at first. Someone may think ‘This pet is older and you just don’t know how long they will live.’ But when you fall in love, be it with another person or an animal, we should listen to our hearts. I’m so glad I did. Who’s to say that Bucky won’t outlive me?! I wanted to ensure that Bucky would be well looked after if something did happen to me, so I asked a special someone to be Bucky’s Godmother. She spoils him now and I know she would cherish him always.”

You can give the gift of new beginnings to homeless animals like Bucky. Please donate today.

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Linc. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.