Faces of No-Kill: Dog lands dream life on ranch

It’s not every day that ranchers come to an animal sanctuary looking for a new working dog. Many folks figure they’d have to buy one straight from a breeder or raise a pup themselves to get the qualities they want in a dog. But Kasey Forum and Samantha Harris, third-generation ranchers from Montana, knew better.

They’d come to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary looking for a teammate — not just any dog but one with the heart, drive, and instinct to work alongside them in the wide-open pastures. And that’s how they found Skipper.

During his time at the Sanctuary, Skipper had earned himself a bit of a reputation. High energy, smart as a whip, and more than a little particular about how things should be done — he wasn’t the easiest match for just anyone. Best Friends’ goal is for all shelters across the country to reach no-kill in 2025, and that means giving pets like Skipper the time and support they need to be matched with loving new homes.

His caregivers at the Sanctuary catered to his high-energy antics by creating fun, unique activities for him and playing endless games of fetch. “We played with the water hose and took him to the creek a lot,” says caregiver Anabel Kirk. “He was so cute playing with his ball in the creek. He would scale straight up walls of rock to get his ball and then come right back down. It was incredible. I've never seen a dog as athletic as him.”

[High energy dog, high energy adopter]

But as much fun as he was having at the Sanctuary with his friends, joyfully splashing around in the creek and showing off his rock-climbing skills, Skipper seemed to need even more of all of it. Some dogs, like Skipper, positively thrive when they’re given a job and can become bored and even frustrated if they don’t feel they have enough to do.  Anabel says, “He needed a purpose, and he found just that with Kasey and Samantha.”

When Skipper first met Kasey and Samantha during their Sanctuary visit, something just clicked. He had been figuring out his place in the world, and suddenly, it all made sense. He fell into step with the ranch’s seasoned herding dog, Remy, a scrappy little leader who accompanied Kasey and Samantha on the Sanctuary visit. He wrestled joyfully with her, already starting a friendship with what would soon be his new pack.

By the end of the visit, the decision was easy. As Kasey and Samantha watched Skipper dash across a field with purpose, eyes locked on an invisible target, they knew he’d be an amazing working dog in addition to a beloved pet. And that’s exactly what he became.

Skipper left his Sanctuary days behind and headed north, trading play yards for pastures. Now, he’s got livestock to keep track of, fences to run, and a team that trusts him. But more importantly, he landed in a home where he’s a treasured family member and a vital part of something bigger.

“Skipper is absolutely amazing,” says Samantha. “He comes by (ranch life) naturally.”

[Dog had more energy than people could handle, until she met her new family]

Dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and temperaments. Some enjoy long cuddle sessions and perfecting the art of the coach potato. But some, like Skipper, are born to run, to work, to have a job. And sometimes, the perfect working dog isn’t found on a breeder’s list — they’re at a shelter or rescue group.

Because at the end of the day, there’s a place for every animal. And for Skipper, that place just happened to be under the big Montana sky, right where he was always meant to be.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. 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.