Happy Tails
Successful stories of adoption at Juneau Animal Rescue
Happy Tails - Panda
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Panda arrived at Juneau Animal Rescue in November, 2013. His owner had passed away and there was no one to care for him. Panda is a seven year old mix of Chihuahua and Papillion. His stay was brief as he was adopted in December of the same year.
He stayed with those owners for about five years, until the husband got cancer and his wife could no longer care for her husband and Panda as well. He was relinquished back to the shelter in September, 2018. Panda had aged and now had some medical problems too. Most of his teeth were in need of medical attention and he also had luxating patellas in both knees. In October, 2018, John Henkelman met Panda at the shelter. He was looking for a small dog and Panda apparently, was waiting for John. John said, “He was shy at first and slow to come around, but once I picked him up, I knew he was the right dog.” |
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Panda - AKA Wildman and John, hard at work at the Driftwood Lodge!
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Panda, or “Wildman,” as he is known by visitors to the Driftwood Lodge is John’s co-pilot. John works as a shuttle driver for the Driftwood Lodge and Panda rides along too. Panda greets folks on arriving planes and is very loving. John says he has a calming influence on passengers who climb into the van. They could be coming from a long flight, or have had a terrible travel experience and then they meet Panda. Panda makes people happy.
Panda and John both love sushi! Panda goes everywhere with John, riding in the passenger seat as John’s co-pilot. John says Panda likes to bob into the wind as they drive. Panda snores when he sleeps, but tries to stay awake so he doesn’t miss anything. He doesn’t like to get wet so he jumps over puddles, loves to chase crows and go for walks. Panda is in many photos as most visitors want to take a photo of him. |
Panda "Wildman" Henkelman - Co-Pilot, Low Altitude 1st Officer
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John believes Panda has learned a lot from his older dog Gambit who he adopted three years ago, also from Juneau Animal Rescue. He feels lucky to have both dogs, noting how well they were taken care of at the shelter. John is a big believer in adoption.
Panda is now 12 and has only one tooth left. He moves more slowly but nothing stops Panda from his daily job with John. If there is such a thing as “love at first sight” it happened between John and Panda.
Panda is now 12 and has only one tooth left. He moves more slowly but nothing stops Panda from his daily job with John. If there is such a thing as “love at first sight” it happened between John and Panda.