A Special Guest Sparks New Connections

Ruby (Left) Ivy (right)

At Ten Lives Cat Centre, animal interactions are usually reserved for—yes, you guessed it—cats! But in September, participants Ivy and Ruby were treated to a rare and very special surprise when Ten Lives volunteer, Cindy, arrived with a tiny guest: Mr Peabody, a three-week-old kid goat she has been caring for. 

Full of energy, Mr Peabody showed off his zoomies, leaping around the room and wagging his little tail as Ruby and Ivy watched with pure delight and overjoyed to have such a unique opportunity to get up close with a baby goat, not something you frequently get the opportunity to do! 

This moment went far beyond the novelty of meeting Mr Peabody. Program Trainer Juliana, reflected on how it highlighted just how much Ruby and Ivy have grown in confidence and connection in such a short time. Ivy’s natural leadership and kindness have helped Ruby feel increasingly at ease, which was clear as the girls approached Cindy—a stranger to them—with curiosity and comfort, eagerly asking questions about goats. They also engaged openly with the Ten Lives media team, who were there to capture the special interaction. Ruby’s mother, Lisa, added that she and her daughter look forward to the program each week, describing it as a chance to “make a new friend every week” thanks to the special, unhurried time they get to spend with animals in care. 

What began as a “special treat” became a moment of growth, confidence, and joy—proof of the powerful bonds forming not just between participants and animals, but between participants themselves.