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German Shepherd Rescue of NE will be doing a website special on seniors this week and asked me to prepare some photos of two of my current seniors, Millie and also Hutch, who I'm fostering for them. I thought while I'm at it, I'd post them here also to encourage others who may be on the fence in terms of adopting or fostering an older dog. The rewards are immeasurable, as many here can atest to. Also, feel free to add your own rescued senior if you'd like.
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<span style="color: #CC33CC">Millie, about 14yo, found by Animal Control on the streets of Rhode Island in the dead of winter 2007, escaped euthanasia when the ACO called rescue as a final resort.</span>
"WAIT, are you lookin' at ME?!!"
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"So much of life I still haven't experienced yet."
![]()
"Yup, that's me, dumped but never been happier, hehe."
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"I may be a LOST soul...but only in thought now."
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"Thanks for choosing ME, mom."
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"Please God, don't let me wake up from this amazing dream."
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<span style="color: #000099">Hutch, 10yo (9.5yo on his papers), owners took to vet to be euthanized because they were moving. Vet refused and called rescue, now in foster care. </span>
"Sorry, there are NO puppies in here."
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"Pssst, for some reason, despite my age, this person didn't keep on walkin'."
![]()
"So MANY new faces in my life now, and they all CARE about me."
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"Like this young lady over here, who's on her best behavior for the camera."
![]()
"Come on guys, just toss it to pappi."
![]()
"As a new prince, I even get my own special toys to play with. I'm sure Mr. Mousy is happy I have a soft gentle mouth."
![]()
"Ooops, caught in the act."
![]()
"Even princes have to learn house manners."
![]()
"But who's complaining, doesn't get much better than this, doncha' know."
![]()
"Mr. kong ball and I have become one."
![]()
"Oh, no. I never should have dropped that ball."
![]()
"Duke, give it up bro'."
![]()
"Lovely, now I have to track down two of them."
![]()
"Look who has the ball NOW!"
![]()
"Thanks uncle Paul, I'll take it off your hands now."
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"Not so quickly, Hutch. You must EARN the ball."
![]()
"Hey, I know the ball is in your pocket because I smell it in there."
![]()
"Please don't make me wait much longer, Paul. I'm just an old man, my heart can't take it."
![]()
"Psssst, a little guilt manipulation never hurt anybody, know what I mean?"
![]()
"Ahaaa! Two dogs, one ball. You're being very patient, Hutch."
![]()
"FREE!"
![]()
"Gotcha'! That's why they call me Ball King Hutch!"
![]()
"Ready for the car when you are gang, half an hour playtime is good for me."
![]()
"They say I'm living the puppyhood I never had."
![]()
"Thanks to so many generous and caring people."
![]()
"I can run and have fun like never before."
![]()
"And I can just be myself and still be loved."
![]()
"Mostly, though, I will love you a thousand times back. So thanks for giving an ol' chap like me that second chance."
![]()
**************************************************
TWO LOST SOULS
by Shelly Guidotti
"Did you hear that?" the old dog shouted. They all ran to the front of their kennel doors to see if someone was coming to "pick them."
"Sorry," he said to the other dogs as his ears fell down from their perked position. "I could have sworn I heard voices saying, 'Isn't he cute? Can't we take him home with us?'"
"You must have been dreaming again old man," said the dog in the cage next to him. "Anyway, what's the big deal about getting picked ? We've all been through that routine and look where it got us." The word "home" meant little to these shelter dogs.
"Just once, I'd like to feel the warmth of a hand stroking my head," said the old dog. "I'd like to be the one who kisses the tears off a sad face. I'd like to curl up next to a fire instead of this cold concrete. It hurts my bones." He curled up and sighed as the others said, "The only place you're going to find that is in your dreams old man."
* * *
Hank's wife had only been gone a year but the pain was as fresh as if time had stood still. He was an old man now, alone and longed for the comfort that he knew no other person would ever be able to give to him again. What would his life become without her by his side? Hank's cupboards were close to bare now and, although he didn't want to go out, he knew he should at least pick up the basics.
He drove slowly down the side streets for freeway driving had become too challenging. Suddenly, the car started chugging and sputtering until finally the engine quit altogether. One of the basic needs he forgot was fuel for the car! So he coasted over next to the curb, spotting a building within walking distance. Hopefully, they'd let him use their phone.
He walked into an office area and rang the bell for service but no one came. He spotted another door going outside, failing to notice the sign posted "Employees Only". As Hank walked out, he was overwhelmed by yaps, barks and insane jumping from dogs all sizes and shapes.
He then realized he had unintentionally
gone to the dog shelter. Slowly he walked down the concrete aisle looking for an attendant.
Three kennels down on the right, the old dog calmly sat there. Why should the old dog get excited? No one would want him. But, he sensed a need and couldn't resist offering a kind look and a gentle wag of the tail. As Hank neared the old dog's cage, he laced his fingers through the chain link to steady his gait and the first feeling of comfort he'd remembered in over a year came from a wet nose and lick across his arthritic fingers.
Just then a voice of authority sounded, and Hank jumped. "I'm sorry sir, you aren't supposed to be in this area!" she said. Luckily Hank didn't know he had walked into the "final area" where unclaimed dogs were scheduled to be put down. There went the nudge and lick thing again. Hank looked down to the most pleading eyes he'd ever seen.
Ignoring the attendants order to leave, Hank asked if could he see the dog closer? Her demeanor changed completely and her sternness melted away. She had forced herself to be this way so she could do the part of her job she despised. She brought the old dog out and instantly the two souls -- once so lost -- found reason to hope.
Hank's cupboards were now filled, a warm fire crackled and the old dog Smiled inside as he remembered "only in your dreams." Closing his eyes he felt Hank's hand stroking his head whispering "sleep in heavenly peace".
**************************************************
<span style="color: #CC33CC">Millie, about 14yo, found by Animal Control on the streets of Rhode Island in the dead of winter 2007, escaped euthanasia when the ACO called rescue as a final resort.</span>
"WAIT, are you lookin' at ME?!!"
"So much of life I still haven't experienced yet."
"Yup, that's me, dumped but never been happier, hehe."
"I may be a LOST soul...but only in thought now."
"Thanks for choosing ME, mom."
"Please God, don't let me wake up from this amazing dream."
**************************************************
<span style="color: #000099">Hutch, 10yo (9.5yo on his papers), owners took to vet to be euthanized because they were moving. Vet refused and called rescue, now in foster care. </span>
"Sorry, there are NO puppies in here."
"Pssst, for some reason, despite my age, this person didn't keep on walkin'."
"So MANY new faces in my life now, and they all CARE about me."
"Like this young lady over here, who's on her best behavior for the camera."
"Come on guys, just toss it to pappi."
"As a new prince, I even get my own special toys to play with. I'm sure Mr. Mousy is happy I have a soft gentle mouth."
"Ooops, caught in the act."
"Even princes have to learn house manners."
"But who's complaining, doesn't get much better than this, doncha' know."
"Mr. kong ball and I have become one."
"Oh, no. I never should have dropped that ball."
"Duke, give it up bro'."
"Lovely, now I have to track down two of them."
"Look who has the ball NOW!"
"Thanks uncle Paul, I'll take it off your hands now."
"Not so quickly, Hutch. You must EARN the ball."
"Hey, I know the ball is in your pocket because I smell it in there."
"Please don't make me wait much longer, Paul. I'm just an old man, my heart can't take it."
"Psssst, a little guilt manipulation never hurt anybody, know what I mean?"
"Ahaaa! Two dogs, one ball. You're being very patient, Hutch."
"FREE!"
"Gotcha'! That's why they call me Ball King Hutch!"
"Ready for the car when you are gang, half an hour playtime is good for me."
"They say I'm living the puppyhood I never had."
"Thanks to so many generous and caring people."
"I can run and have fun like never before."
"And I can just be myself and still be loved."
"Mostly, though, I will love you a thousand times back. So thanks for giving an ol' chap like me that second chance."
**************************************************
TWO LOST SOULS
by Shelly Guidotti
"Did you hear that?" the old dog shouted. They all ran to the front of their kennel doors to see if someone was coming to "pick them."
"Sorry," he said to the other dogs as his ears fell down from their perked position. "I could have sworn I heard voices saying, 'Isn't he cute? Can't we take him home with us?'"
"You must have been dreaming again old man," said the dog in the cage next to him. "Anyway, what's the big deal about getting picked ? We've all been through that routine and look where it got us." The word "home" meant little to these shelter dogs.
"Just once, I'd like to feel the warmth of a hand stroking my head," said the old dog. "I'd like to be the one who kisses the tears off a sad face. I'd like to curl up next to a fire instead of this cold concrete. It hurts my bones." He curled up and sighed as the others said, "The only place you're going to find that is in your dreams old man."
* * *
Hank's wife had only been gone a year but the pain was as fresh as if time had stood still. He was an old man now, alone and longed for the comfort that he knew no other person would ever be able to give to him again. What would his life become without her by his side? Hank's cupboards were close to bare now and, although he didn't want to go out, he knew he should at least pick up the basics.
He drove slowly down the side streets for freeway driving had become too challenging. Suddenly, the car started chugging and sputtering until finally the engine quit altogether. One of the basic needs he forgot was fuel for the car! So he coasted over next to the curb, spotting a building within walking distance. Hopefully, they'd let him use their phone.
He walked into an office area and rang the bell for service but no one came. He spotted another door going outside, failing to notice the sign posted "Employees Only". As Hank walked out, he was overwhelmed by yaps, barks and insane jumping from dogs all sizes and shapes.
He then realized he had unintentionally
gone to the dog shelter. Slowly he walked down the concrete aisle looking for an attendant.
Three kennels down on the right, the old dog calmly sat there. Why should the old dog get excited? No one would want him. But, he sensed a need and couldn't resist offering a kind look and a gentle wag of the tail. As Hank neared the old dog's cage, he laced his fingers through the chain link to steady his gait and the first feeling of comfort he'd remembered in over a year came from a wet nose and lick across his arthritic fingers.
Just then a voice of authority sounded, and Hank jumped. "I'm sorry sir, you aren't supposed to be in this area!" she said. Luckily Hank didn't know he had walked into the "final area" where unclaimed dogs were scheduled to be put down. There went the nudge and lick thing again. Hank looked down to the most pleading eyes he'd ever seen.
Ignoring the attendants order to leave, Hank asked if could he see the dog closer? Her demeanor changed completely and her sternness melted away. She had forced herself to be this way so she could do the part of her job she despised. She brought the old dog out and instantly the two souls -- once so lost -- found reason to hope.
Hank's cupboards were now filled, a warm fire crackled and the old dog Smiled inside as he remembered "only in your dreams." Closing his eyes he felt Hank's hand stroking his head whispering "sleep in heavenly peace".
