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 Sasha
Sasha, the skunk, came from a “pets or
pelts” farm in Indiana. I know this because I had a copy of her original
pet permit. She had been spayed and had her scent glands removed. She
also was physically challenged. When she first came to live with me she
couldn’t stand all the way up. Rather than walking up right she pushed
herself along partially on her side. It was a great effort for Sasha to
propel herself along. She was a very sweet, docile skunk, loved her
grapes and never bit as I’ve heard pet skunks often do.
She came to live with me because I
knew a kind chiropractor who adjusts animals as well as people. Sasha
went for chiropractic adjustments once a week for one year before she
could stand up completely and walk normally, although slowly, for a
skunk. She continued to improve over time. Sasha was a chiropractic
patient for several years.
I was overjoyed by Sasha’s progress.
She became friends with some of my cats and rabbits, cuddling and sleeping
with them. Sasha would sometimes sleep with my hen. She did not seem to
be afraid of anything.
Sasha had always been very curious. I
would sometimes find her in kitchen cabinets or behind furniture, often in
places I thought her physical limitations would have prevented her from
getting into. Sasha was unaware that she had any limitations. With
Sasha’s improved mobility came some problems. She would scoot out of her
enclosed area and follow me around the yard sometimes. One day I found
her lying in a sunny area on the grass when I got home from work. I had
no idea when or how she got out. Then, several weeks later she was gone.
I searched all her hiding places, the yard, the neighborhood, put up
flyers offering a reward, but I got no calls. During this time I was
going through the grief and guilt that pet owners go through when their
pet is lost. I thought that Sasha had no idea how to fend for herself.
Her food had always been provided for her in a bowl. With her physical
problems she would never be able to hunt, only forage, if she even knew
what to forage for. She thought that people were caretakers that petted
her and gave her treats. I worried that she would walk up to someone
expecting them to take care of her, and have that person freak out because
she was a skunk. All the time I was hoping she would come toddling up out
of my woods with that “where’s my grape” look on her face, but she never
did.
A month passed. Marty, a friend,
called to ask about Sasha and to tell me that a wild skunk was living in
her garage eating the cat food that Marty put out to feed her feral cats.
Marty didn’t think it was Sasha. Marty lives across a major extremely busy
four lane highway from me, about l mile away. I thought there was no way
Sasha could have made it across that highway, because although she could
walk slowly quite well, she never was able to run.
I met Marty at her house. We went
into the garage and couldn’t find the skunk. While we were standing
outside discussing how the skunk would be back for more cat food, and how
it couldn’t possibly be Sasha anyway, Sasha came walking slowly around the
corner of the garage. I scooped her up into my arms.  Sasha rubbed her
face against me and leaned into me. She was so happy to see me. I was
crying with joy.
Sasha had lost some weight and her
long beautiful fur was dirty and tangled, but she was fine. I took her
home for lots of grapes and a bath. Sasha greeted her animal friends and
everything went back to normal.
It was a miracle that Sasha made her
way to the home of a good friend of mine. I don’t know how long it took
her, she must have wandered for days, even weeks before she found Marty’s
cat food dishes. Marty said she had only seen Sasha twice before she
called me. I’ve learned not to give up if a pet gets lost. If you’ve
lost a beloved pet try not to give up hope. Even after a long period of
time has passed, there may be a miracle reunion in store for you and your
pet. LeAnne
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