exhort by the incredible story of Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary , players drop quality sentence with virtual dogs and maybe assist real ones , too .
On the east side of Music City USA is a seaport for skilful dogs . And not just any good dogs , but those with white gag and slightly dull gaits . Ones who ’ve been around — seasoned , if you will , yet still full of promise and quick to devote their remaining time to lucky human beings .
After all , lovenevergrows old , according to the folk atOld Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary(OFSDS ) in Mount Juliet , Tenn. found in 2012 by Zina and Michael Goodin , the eye - led destination of the sanctuary is two - fold , according to Noël Kiswiney , the non-profit-making organization ’s selling handler .
Photo: Courtesy of Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary
" These are animals that deserve love , care , and compassion , " she tells Daily Paws . " We take seniors of any power , disability , andhealth circumstance . We also try out to take in the hard cases to rehabilitate them and give them sanctuary . " about 100senior dogsstay at OFSDS , and another 400 are in forever foster homes — an opportunity for dedicated pet parents to allow for a lasting retirement oasis for a pooch ’s remaining sunset years .
" This oeuvre does take a toll on our heart sometimes , " Kiswiney says . " But the reward is worth it . "
The Goodins got the idea for Old Friends after volunteering at agolden retrieverrescue . They note older dogs were n’t adopted at the same charge per unit as puppy . Since goldens are always ranked as one of themost popular hotdog breedsin the U.S. , the Goodins wondered what happened with other fourth-year dog . Their first sanctuary was home - based , and at one point , they had over 40 " geezers " onsite .
By afford the refuge , Kiswiney articulate , the pair has been able to slim their " home coterie " down to about , oh , 18 members or so !
“We Don’t Dwell on the Past”
With nearly 2 million followers onFacebook , Old Friends shares large tales about its pups . Like Rose , show up above , who has a piece of nervous energy but likes to run and have minor dogs around her . " She used to skin at the camera , but now she actually strikes a pose ! " grant to a recent post .
Kiswiney says most Old Friends ' dogs amount fromlocal sheltersand animal control facilities and often come without a lot of backdrop . The stave might only know if the pups were found as strays or if they were owner surrenders . While people frequently ask about a particular dog ’s history on Old Friends ' societal media , Kiswiney suppose the usual reply is that they taste not to center on the past .
" We do n’t dwell on what their past might have been . We all have past , right ? Who wish about that , " she tell . " We really sample to focalize on what they have to put up and the beloved that they deserve to really shine in theirgolden age . "
Anyone can make an date to chat these fine whelp , and volunteers often enter in various OFSDS upshot that allow for for great socialization and reciprocally beneficial snuggle time !
Now here ’s the hand : you have to hold up within a 100 - mile radius of the sanctuary to become a " Geezer Guardian " ( yeah , wetotallylove that moniker ! ) and supply a everlastingly foster home to an old ally . This is so all those good dogs continue to receive care with the in - house veterinary surgeon at OFSDS . to boot , the sanctuary is 100 - per centum donation - found , and every dollar take in covers the total care for each brute , including any specific medical needs for the rest of their lives .
" This kind of accept away any concern that apotential foster parentmight have about caring for a senior dog because some people do n’t adopt them because of thepotential costsinvolved , " Kiswiney says . " So our contribution cover the forever household care as well as care for the dogs in the sanctuary . "
Want to Help Senior Dogs? There’s an App for That
Even if you live in Iowa or England or even New Zealand , you could help Old Friends another way , too .
This calendar week , the organization launched a newfangled app,“Old Friends Dog Game : A Game About Friendship " . The idea — initiate and developed byRunaway gambling — is a narrative - driven , innocent - to - turn adventure inspired by the rescue chronicle , everyday antics , and personality quirks of the real - liveliness furred residents of the sanctuary .
" The design is to really make awareness aboutsenior dogsand how much fun they can be , and educate the great unwashed who are hopefully players of this game what it takes to have a senior hound sanctuary and what a joy they are , material or animated , " Kiswiney says .
The team at Runaway Play , based in New Zealand , approached the Goodins with the idea in 2017 . player can deliver dog , unlock newfangled stories and adventures , and evenbake treatsfor them ! If they pick out to build up the game with in - app purchase , a portion of the proceeds benefits Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary .
" Every undivided dog in the plot is an actual Old Friend , and all of their story are real , " Kiswiney says . " We just desire to encourage masses torescue aged dogs , and maybe , just mayhap , think about starting their own sanctuary . "
