Faces of No-Kill: Dog snuggles his way into new home
“Loves long walks on the beach” isn’t just a cliché on Cinnamon’s dating profile. It’s a favorite pastime this dog shares with his person, Masha Norman. The two live in Coney Island and spend every minute they can in the sand. Cinnamon runs along the coastline, splashes in the waves, and chases seagulls with joyful abandon. Afterward, the pair lounges on the beach watching the sunset.
But not long ago, Cinnamon’s life was anything but easy breezy.
This story is a part of our Faces of No-Kill series, highlighting the journey of pets who lost their place to call home. These pets are thriving today thanks to animal shelters that said yes to lifesaving with a community that found a way to save them. Best Friends’ goal is for every shelter and every community to reach no-kill, and this story shows why that’s so important.
Sweet from the start
Cinnamon was found in a New York City park covered in cuts and scrapes. He first went to a city shelter before he was transferred to the Best Friends Pet Adoption Center, where he received care for his wounds.
Cinnamon’s scars pointed to a difficult past. But no matter what he experienced, it didn’t diminish his love of people. He showered staff and volunteers with kisses and happily cuddled up to new friends. This likable guy won over everyone who crossed his path, human and canine alike.
During his time at the pet adoption center, Cinnamon went on several sleepovers and outings, including one with urban backpacker Bryan Reisberg, who uses his large social media platform to help get dogs adopted.
Love at first lap
Then one day, Masha visited the center.
She wasn’t planning to adopt a dog that day. She was simply looking when she sat down to visit with Cinnamon. He promptly climbed into her lap, let out a deep puppy sigh, and fell fast asleep.
Masha left without Cinnamon, but he had already burrowed his way into her heart. That night, she couldn’t stop thinking about the sweet gingerbread-colored pup who had felt right at home in her lap.
The next day, she came back and adopted him.
Life’s a beach
Today, Cinnamon is making the most of his life in Coney Island. He and Masha are inseparable, whether they’re strolling along the beach, running errands, or simply spending time together at home. His new family even includes an orange cat buddy named Prinse.
Faces of No-Kill: Dog meets her kindred spirit
Cinnamon has landed exactly where he belongs — with his paws in the sand and his favorite person by his side.
Let's make every shelter and every community no-kill
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.
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