The Rescue

Shiny the opossum was found alone on a patch of grass when she was just two months old. She had puncture wounds on her back from being picked up and dropped by a bird. Too young to be without her mother, Shiny was starving, dehydrated, and barely moving when Stephanie, a local opossum rehabber, took her in.

After a few days of care, Shiny began to perk up. However, she still wasn't walking properly. Her movements were slow, uncoordinated, and sometimes she didn't move at all. Stephanie thought Shiny might have neurological damage from the hard fall.

A Fighting Chance

Despite these challenges, Shiny had a spark in her. She didn't seem to be in pain. Stephanie made an important choice: as long as Shiny was willing to fight, Stephanie would fight alongside her.

She started daily physical therapy sessions with the young opossum. This included bending Shiny's legs, helping her stretch, and praising even the smallest movements. The dedication paid off over time.

Small Steps Forward

Gradually, Shiny began to improve. She started walking, then climbing, and eventually even running on occasion. But her recovery wasn't a solo journey.

Stephanie was also taking care of two young male opossums named Chevy and Leo. These brothers became Shiny's role models. She watched them closely, tried to keep up with their activities, and learned from their behaviors.

A New Purpose

Though Shiny has made amazing progress, she still deals with some coordination and vision problems. Because of these ongoing issues, she can't be released back into the wild.

Instead, Shiny has found a new purpose as an ambassador for opossums. She helps educate people about her species and the important role opossums play in our ecosystem.

Lasting Bonds

Shiny's story shows the power of determination—both from the animal and her caretaker. While she couldn't return to the wild, her brothers Chevy and Leo were successfully released.

In a touching display of family bonds, Chevy and Leo—now fully wild—still visit Shiny almost every night during her walks near their release spot. These nightly reunions show that the connections formed during rehabilitation can last a lifetime.

Through patience, dedicated care, and a refusal to give up, Stephanie helped Shiny overcome tremendous odds to live a full and meaningful life.