Dogs should have a caring home even if they may not have much time left. Older dogs should have a permanent home to live out their days, even if younger puppies usually take priority over them.
But one woman has committed her life to giving these old shelter dogs a loving final home; as a result, she turned her home into a sanctuary that now houses 80 elderly animals.
Valerie Reid, 44, of Hermitage, Missouri, became inspired to provide care for senior dogs following a life incident that made her aware of the difficulties that animals face as they age.
SWNS revealed that she struggled to find a home for her father’s aging Doberman as he battled cancer. She found that she was already over the city’s pet limit and that no other rescue would take her, so she was unable to adopt the puppy.
As she was too old to be taken home by a rescue, Valerie stated, “We looked everywhere for any rescue that would help.”
Eventually, she was able to place the Doberman in a foster home on a farm that provided extra care for senior dogs. The dog lived a happy ending and was cared for by them for an additional year and a half; Valerie was inspired by the eye-opening event.
“It got me thinking about what happens to senior dogs who were once beloved pets,” the woman said to SWNS. “I realized there were a lot of canines who needed help. In the rescue sector, it is truly underutilized.
So, in 2017, Valerie and her husband Josh founded Whispering Willows Elderly Dog shelter, a non-profit shelter for senior canines. They bought a 3,000-square-foot home close to Hermitage, with plenty of room for dozens of dogs to die in comfort and peace.
Dogs over the age of 12 are welcome. “Sometimes special needs, sometimes hospice,” she remarked to Ozarks First. “Sometimes, all they need from us is a place to sleep and pass away.”
She explained that many of the pets had a history of abuse and neglect, mentioning that during a particularly hot spell, a dog named Peanut was found chained up.
“When they come in, they’re very broken-hearted, emotionally or physically,” she remarked to KY3.
Valerie, on the other hand, says that her goal is to give them a sense of security and normalcy as well as a safe place to live out their final days.
“Once they get there, they remain. They are not compelled to leave. They won’t go through any more loss or stress because this is their forever home.
“When they get there, they know they’re safe.”
According to SWNS, the hospice presently houses 80 canines at a time and employs 17 full-time staff members to care for the dogs. Over the years, the rescue has greatly grown.
“The refuge truly developed and flourished beyond anything I could have imagined. I’m very grateful to have so many little hearts that return the love.
Valerie claims that they have cared for 790 animals over the years. The dogs are old and often die; every week, about five of them pass away, while the same number are adopted.
Even though her line of work might be disheartening at times, Valerie enjoys giving these animals a comfortable transitional home.
“We want to help people prepare for their last moments because none of us can know what the future holds,” she told SWNS. We get to say goodbye to our seniors in style and with love. Even though raising children and showing them love is a privilege, it still hurts.
