Dogs of all ages deserve to be loved, even the ones that may not have long to live. People often choose younger dogs over older ones, but older dogs deserve a forever home to spend the rest of their lives in.
But one woman has made it her life’s work to give these old shelter dogs a loving last home. She has turned her own house into a refuge for 80 senior pets.
Valerie Reid, 44, from Hermitage, Missouri, became interested in taking care of older dogs after a personal experience made her realize the problems older pets can have.
SWNS says she had a hard time finding a home for her dad’s old Doberman because her dad had cancer and was dying. She couldn’t take the dog because she already had too many pets for the city, and no other rescue would take her.
“We looked everywhere for anything that could help, but because she was so old, no one would take her in,” Valerie said.
Finally, she was able to find a foster home for the Doberman on a farm that only took care of older dogs. They took care of the dog and made sure it had a happy finish. He lived another year and a half in peace, and Valerie was inspired by the experience.
“It made me wonder what happens to old dogs that were once loved pets,” she told SWNS. “I realized how many dogs needed help…” It is a part of the rescue world that has been lost.
So, Valerie and her husband Josh opened the Whispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary in 2017 as a non-profit place for old dogs to stay. The house they bought was 3,000 square feet, which is big enough for dozens of dogs to die in safety and peace.
Dogs over 12 years old are welcome. It’s sometimes nursing care and other times special needs,” she told Ozarks First. “Sometimes all they want is a place to lay their heads and die,” she said.
She said that many of the dogs had been abused or neglected in the past. For example, Peanut, one of the dogs, was found chained up in 100-degree heat.
“They’re very crushed when they come in, either emotionally or physically,” she told KY3.Valerie, on the other hand, says that her goal is to make them feel safe and normal and to give them a safe place to spend their last days.
“They stay once they come.” They don’ need to go. This is their forever home, so they won’t have to go through any more pain or loss.
“They know they’re safe when they come.”
SWNS says that the hospice has 17 full-time staff members who care for the dogs and can now house 80 dogs at a time. The rescue has grown and grown over the years.
“The sanctuary really changed over time and grew bigger than I thought possible.” I love having so many little hearts that love us back.
Val says that over the years, they have taken care of 790 dogs. The dogs are very old, so they die a lot. Every week, about five die and the same number are taken in.
Valérie is proud to give these dogs a loving place to end their lives, even though it can be sad work.
She told SWNS, “Our goal is to help people get ready for the end of their lives. None of us know what tomorrow holds.” “We get to send our seniors off in love and comfort.” Even though it hurts, it’s an honor to love and care for them.
Senior dogs need a loving place to live out their days. We’re so grateful for people like Valerie who will take them in when no one else will and give them the care and love they need so badly.
Tell everyone about this great news to get the word out about the work this rescue is doing.
