The employees at the Jackson County Animal Shelter (JCAS) have known Sassy and Shadow for their entire time there, and the two have never been separated for even a single day. Even though Shadow is just one year old and Sassy is six years old, the relationship that these two have is deeper than anything else that the rescue team has ever seen. They’re an unexpected pair of closest friends, but they won’t let anything come between them.
Sassy and Shadow were discovered by a good Samaritan in a field where they had been abandoned by their family. Sassy and Shadow could have gone their own ways as soon as they were dropped since there were no walls or fences to prevent them from doing so; rather, they chose to remain steadfastly by each other’s sides and watch out for one another until assistance came.
“This cat and dog were practically glued together,” Lydia Sattler, the head of animal services at JCAS, told The Dodo. “That does not happen very often at all.”
The good Samaritan was able to detect that the dog hadn’t eaten in quite some time, so after being away for a little period, he returned with some food and put it in front of the canine. He was taken aback when Sassy did something that was quite out of the blue and contrary to what he had anticipated she would do with the meal.
“The dog was kind enough to let the cat eat first,” remarked Sattler. “While the cat was eating out of the dish, she sat right there and waited for him to finish before she started eating herself. It was such a delight.
The guy was trying to capture the two animals as he was feeding them, so he phoned JCAS for assistance. Sassy and Shadow did not raise any objections when a group of people came to their aid; instead, they joyfully entered the van and resumed their customary stance.
“As soon as we put them in the back seat of the truck, the kitty curled right up with the dog,” said Sattler. “It was very cute.”
The journey to JCAS went without a hitch, and the two cheerfully slept out next to one another the whole way. The search and rescue team was aware that the pair could not be split apart, but they were unprepared for how difficult the task would be until they arrived to the refuge.
“When they got here, we didn’t want to separate them, but we have a dog-specific room and a cat room,” said Sattler. “We have a dog room and a cat room.” However, since there was an accessible room that was big enough to house numerous cats at once, we chose to house them all in the same location so that they could maintain their social bonds.
As Sassy and Shadow adjusted to life at the shelter, they made it a point to be in close proximity to one another at all times.
“Everywhere the dog went, the cat was right there with her,” said Sattler. “There was never a moment when they were apart.” They spent every day huddled close to one another. Our employees would come in first thing in the morning to check on them and see what adorable antic they were up to. It was just the cutest thing ever.
The close relationship that Sassy and Shadow had made an impact on their friends at JCAS, and those friends realized straight immediately that the two needed to find a permanent home together.
“Whatever it was that they’ve gone through so far, they’ve gotten through it together,” said Sattler. Because of this, we were aware that it was essential for them to remain together.
Sattler and her crew looked in several locations all over the world for a permanent home for Sassy and Shadow. After being saved, it took a little more than a month for them to see their desire come true, but it did.
“They ended up finding a great home where they get to continue that bond that they have,” said Sattler. “I’m so happy for them.” They are continuing to take pleasure in spending time with one another, and there is no longer any need for concern over their hunger levels.
Sattler receives regular updates from Sassy and Shadow’s new family, and it brings a smile to her face every time she sees the two lifelong companions still sticking close to one another. One thing has not changed about them, and that is the unwavering love that they have for one another, even if they now lead an entirely different life that is packed with exciting new experiences.
The caretakers at JCAS miss seeing Sassy and Shadow cuddle up together every day, but they are overjoyed to know that the adorable pair is exactly where they should be at this time in their lives.
Sattler said that their family is showing them a great deal of love and support. “And now that the hard work is done, they can relax and enjoy life.”
You may make a contribution to the Jackson County Animal Shelter using this page in order to ensure that animals such as Sassy and Shadow get the necessary medical treatment.