Faces of No-Kill: ‘Twin’ bestie helps dog heal

What are the odds? Two dogs with nearly identical names, lookalike coats, and personalities that clicked instantly. Didgeri and Didgeridoo weren’t born together, and they didn’t arrive at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary at the same time. But from the moment they met, it felt like they’d always been part of the same pack.

Didgeri arrived at the Sanctuary as a shy, withdrawn pup from a nearby animal services agency. A quiet, calm environment would help her come out of her shell, so staff placed her in a foster home — but Didgeri’s adventurous streak got the better of her.

The street-wise dog managed to Houdini her way under the secure, sturdy fence and set herself free. What followed was a nearly two-month-long search in the small town of Kanab, Utah (just a few miles from the Sanctuary), where Didgeri proved to be as savvy as she was elusive. Despite efforts of Best Friends staff, volunteers, and an incredibly supportive local community — who reported sightings and offered their yards and driveways as search zones — Didgeri always stayed just out of reach. Drones flew. Humane traps were set. She outmaneuvered all of it.

[Family falls for shy canine escape artist]

Eventually, she took up residence with a group of community cats, helping herself to their food. It was just the chance everyone had been waiting for. Once her location became consistent, Best Friends staff were able to place a humane trap and bring her safely back to the Sanctuary.

Didgeri moved into the Shipley Dog Lodges — the area of the Sanctuary where the behavior team works with dogs who need a little extra support. There she could slowly begin to see that people can be safe, kind, and maybe even a little fun.

Her caregivers celebrated each small victory. “She loves food,” says Landon Schobert, one of her caregivers. “So we’d toss treats from far away, and at first, she wouldn’t even eat them until we left.” Curiosity (and super-tasty treats) can be a powerful motivator, and before long, she began creeping closer — until one morning, she wagged her tail when people arrived. “It was the coolest morning ever,” Landon says. “It was such a high; we were all just so happy.”

Next came leash training — no easy feat for a dog who curled into a ball at the sight of a harness. At first, they had to start by carrying her. Landon took turns holding Didgeri while another caregiver walked a more confident dog nearby to show her that walks could be fun and safe.

[A remarkable dog friendship built on trust and treats]

“Sometimes she would just freeze in my arms,” Landon says. “So we’d stop and let her sit on the ground. We’d toss some treats, and at first, she wouldn't take them. But we kept trying, and she’d eventually take a step to get a treat. Then we’d say, ‘good job’ and call it a day.”

It was slow but steady progress. In time, Didgeri was walking with a harness and leash, greeting volunteers, and chowing down in front of her caregivers to her heart’s delight. But her biggest leap came after Landon brought her home as a foster pet. “For Didgeri, being in a home environment made a huge difference,” she says. “She could watch our routines, see other dogs and cats, and just be part of daily life.”

Still, she mostly kept to herself — quiet, observant, needing space. That is, until a new roommate arrived.

Didgeridoo came back to the Sanctuary after several years in a home. She not only happened to have nearly the same name as Didgeri, but the two dogs looked remarkably alike. They aren’t related, but you’d never guess it.

Landon took Didgeridoo home to foster her prior to surgery for a tendon injury. The moment Didgeridoo arrived at Landon’s home, everything changed. “We hadn’t seen Didgeri play with any other dogs,” Landon says. “But the moment she met Didgeridoo, she was play-bowing, rolling in the grass — she completely lit up.”

These days, Didgeri flops on the couch for belly rubs, follows Didgeridoo everywhere, and looks to her friend for cues before diving into new experiences. And the support goes both ways. After Didgeridoo’s surgery, Didgeri stayed close, offering quiet companionship as her bestie healed.

“It’s been so sweet watching them blossom in their own ways,” Landon says. “Didgeridoo — or Dewey, as I call her now — loves having that companionship. And seeing Didgeri blossom into a more confident dog with Dewey by her side is incredible. It’s just been remarkable to witness.”

Healing doesn’t happen overnight. Sometimes it happens in layers — through time, trust, treats (so many treats), and a twin bestie with a nearly identical name.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.