If you visited the Best Friends Welcome Center in the past three years and suddenly discovered that you’d become a leaning post for a slightly rotund brown dog – then you’ve probably met Cole.

He works regular hours at the Best Friends Welcome Center and there is no place Cole would rather be, than by the side of his best friend, Carol Bauman, Product Manager for the Best Friends Store.

All we know of Cole’s past is that he was undernourished and had a jagged scar on his side when someone left him tied to a tree at the Best Friends Sanctuary. He was left with a water bowl and food dish, which meant some caring person felt he deserved a better life. To that person, Carol says “thank you.”

Since Cole’s past is a mystery – so is his age. He is probably between six and seven years old, and may be a combination of Red Heeler and German Shepherd. In his free time, he practices his heeler skills by herding Carol’s horses and chickens – whether they want to be herded or not.

Cole was originally named Colhein by one of the caretakers at Best Friends. Three years ago, Carol learned about him from her fellow Best Friends tour guides, who felt that since she was currently dogless and had worked at the sanctuary for a whole month, it was time she started looking for her dream dog. But it wasn’t love at first sight for Carol and Cole – how could she be sure he was “the one” when so many other dogs needed forever homes? She decided to return Cole to his run, have her husband meet him the next day and see how things went. As Carol was leaving, Cole lay down behind the kennel gate, rested his head on his crossed paws, and gave her a look that would induce guilt in a hardened criminal. “Ach, Colhein,” she said in her best German accent, “I’ll be back.”

Carol didn’t have to return, because the next evening when she got home from work, Cole was there. The meeting with his potential Pop must have gone well. Carol shortened Colhein’s very formal name to a more casual “Cole” and with his new family he began feeling safe enough to “let it all hang out.”

According to Carol, he has morphed into one of the funniest dogs she knows. When he first started accompanying her to work, Cole was shy and skittish around visitors. Once he became more trusting of humans, he took full advantage of it. Cole’s insatiable need for love drew him to the innumerable kind Welcome Center visitors, who were happy to help him out. He learned to quietly insert himself into people’s “space” - often without them seeing his approach. They might be standing at the reception desk, browsing in the gift shop, or sitting in a chair when he would just ease on up and do “the lean.” Cole has also perfected the “slide, rollover, pet my belly” technique, thanks to lessons from his buddy Faith.

Cole also has an unwavering fondness for any kind of doggie treat. Even though Carol tries to control his diet, co-workers find it difficult to resist Cole’s intense “I’m going to pass out if you don’t give me that biscuit” look.

Although there wasn’t an instant connection, Cole and Carol have indeed become soul mates. They even share some of the same personality traits: worrying, love of routine, a sense of humor, and quirkiness. Carol admits that Cole may not necessarily understand all of the ridiculous things she says to him, but he understands her and accepts her for all her quirks. Cole teaches her every day what love is.

Story by Carol Bauman & Sue Francesconi
Photo by Sue Francesconi

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