Hoover is not yet comfortable with eye contact. Please look away when petting, and please pet carefully. Hoover mostly understands that he is incapable of asserting physical dominance, but he is still a bit unsure of his ability to resist attacking. He is still in the early stages of his rehabilitation, but we believe he is ready to be adopted by a patient, understanding living companion.

Like their living counterparts, stuffed armadillos can also often be found beside major Texas highways. Though less common in extremely rural areas, SA armadillos are most commonly spotted on highly-traveled roads near souvenir shops frequented by quarreling siblings.

We found Gary on the interstate on our way back from our first trip to the Greater Pine Bluff Wildlife Refuge. He way lying on his side a few miles down from ‘Pine Bluff Gas and Gifts,’ which is believed to be his store of origin. He was quite surprised when we picked him up with bare hands. We explained that he, unlike some of also-immobile friends, was a ‘stuffed’ rather than a ‘living’ (or formerly-living) animal. This distinction was at first quite difficult for him to comprehend, but he has come to embrace his stuffed identity.

Ellen and her baby, Gertrude, have whole-heartedly embraced their stuffed identities. They enjoy snuggling with living companions and with other stuffed animals. Gertrude loves pretending she is learning to hope, and Ellen enjoys pretending to say words like crikey and barbie.

In fact, Ellen would love to find a living companion whose iPhone Language is set to “English (Australian)” so she can listen to SIRI say things with an amusing accent. Gertrude will be happy as long as she remains with her mum.

Colby and Janelle have been model residents at The SARF despite their very rocky beginning. Janelle at first refused to be in the same room with Colby! Having witnesses her fair share of leopard encounters with living members of her species, she was rightfully frightened and skeptical. But after a year in our Stuffed Predator/Stuffed Prey Group Therapy Program, the two have overcome their live-analogue stereotypes to become the best of friends. They each look forward to finding their own suitable living companions, but they definitely would like to keep in touch after they are adopted.

While living sea lions and seals can be distinguished by their ear flaps and front flipper shapes, stuffed versions of these species do not seem to take much notice. Their differences are much more interest or activity-based. For instance, Carmen, our talented stuffed seal, has developed an interest in playing the harp. This irony is not lost on us. She would love to find a home with a living companion who enjoys listening to and playing music and who can provide transportation to and financing for her lessons.

I’ve actually really enjoyed the process of discovering my stuffed identity. Species identities are more fixed and rigid in the live animal world. That was always difficult for me. In the stuffed animal world, things are more fluid. At Greater Pine Bluff, I never felt like I completely fit in with one group. Part of me felt like a longhorn, but another part of me was drawn to the bison herd. As an SA, I’ve realized that I don’t actually have to choose. I am first and foremost a stuffed animal! And I am finally at peace with who I am.

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