Whispering Willows Senior Sanctuary give abandoned senior dogs another chance to enjoy their crepuscule years .
Valerie Reid is the owner ofWhispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary , a pet rescue program in Missouri that ’s changing the lives ofsenior dogswho have been empty or lost their owner .
Whispering Willows is a lifetime hospice sanctuary , which mean they take in frankfurter who are approaching theend of their lifeand forethought for them until they pass . Unlike other pet sanctuary , the dogs who arrive at Whispering Willows are n’t depart to befosteredor embrace , and they are never kennel or cage in — they move in with Reid and her family and last out there until their last breathing spell .
Photo: Courtesy of Whispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary
" They just get to be here and get to be plate , " Reid tells Daily Paws .
The fourth-year dogs who do to Whispering Willows arrive at the domicile for a act of reasons — some have been desert , others have had their pet parents transcend away , some dog ’s owners have move into breast feeding domicile , and some wienerwurst have been removed from their proprietor by court order .
But that does n’t seem to dull their zest for biography . " What I make out about fourth-year dogs is that they ’re so forgiving , " Reid says . " No matter what has happened in their living — whether it be trauma , abuse , neglect , or that they ’ve lose their owner and find hopeless — they keep on to forgive and they extend to make out . "
Reid says her dream of running a asylum begin after her own begetter passed away from cancer . He leave behind his best booster , a nine - twelvemonth - oldDoberman pinscherwho’d been by his side throughout his battle with the disease . Reid , who had been caring for her father , was ineffectual to take in her founder ’s beloved pet . gratefully , she eventually found a surrogate family who was capable to ply a get laid home to the dog for another year and a one-half — which inspired Reid to help put up the same experience for other pets and families .
" Imagine go to work and 68 dogs come waggle their shadow at you , " Reid say . " And there ’s nothing in the world they ’re happier about than seeing you . "
Not all of the older pups at the sanctuary are there for years . Some of them are only residents during their final months and even calendar week . But despite their short time with Reid , and the heartbreak that comes withlosing a favorite , she tell it ’s still worth it to give them comfortableness during their final days .
" I cogitate we are better together here at the sanctuary because they have taught me just to keep going no matter what life throws at you , " says Reid . " There is trauma , there is death , and there is unhappiness — but there ’s a circumstances of delight and happiness . "
