All dogs deserve a loving home, even those who may not have much time left. While older dogs are often overlooked in favor of younger pups, they deserve a forever home to spend their remaining time in.
One woman in particular has made it her life mission to provide a loving home to these older shelter dogs, turning her own house into a sanctuary where currently 80 old pets are housed.
Valerie Reid, a 44-year-old woman from Hermitage, Missouri (US), was inspired to care for elderly dogs after a personal experience opened her eyes to the issues faced by pets in later life.
According to SWNS, she struggled to find a home for her father’s aging Doberman when it was dying of cancer. She couldn’t take the dog in because she already had the maximum number of pets allowed, and she discovered that no shelter would take the dog.
“We looked everywhere for a shelter, but given her age, no one would take her in,” Valerie recalled.
She eventually found a foster home for the Doberman: A farm specifically caring for older dogs. It was a happy end for the dog, which lived peacefully for another year and a half through their care – and the experience proved to be a revelatory inspiration for Valerie.
“It all started when I wondered what happens to older dogs, who were once beloved pets,” she told SWNS. “I realized how many dogs needed help… It’s truly a forgotten segment of the rescue world.”
So in 2017, Valerie and her husband Josh opened their own non-profit sanctuary for older dogs: The Whispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary. They bought a 3000 square foot house in Hermitage, with enough space for dozens of dogs to spend their final days in comfort and peace.
