Adopting Senior Dogs! "Old Dogs and Children and Watermelon Wine" Click here to hear the song in a .wav file! View Our Adoptable Bichons! All dogs over 9 years old may be adopted for a $75.00 adoption fee! Read how these senior dogs have enriched the lives of their adoptive families! Maxwell (Maxx) Written by Vickie Furstenburg I adopted Maxx when he was 16 years old. When I had read about his story, I felt an instant bond and love for him. I had to have him. He was taken to a kill shelter because at the age of 16 he had developed a bad habit. His bad habit….."getting too old". When I first got Maxx he was a little untrusting because he had been through so much in his life. Day by day I could see changes in him and then the day finally came when he started wagging his tail!!!! I knew then that he trusted me and loved me as much I loved him. He wouldn't let me hold him for very long periods, but that eventually changed also. He had the deepest sexiest bark I have ever heard in dog. He would throw his head back so far while barking, he would fall over backwards. When he slept, he looked so peaceful and contented. I could watch him sleep for hours. I also loved the way he trotted like a horse with his head bobbing up and down. I loved when he got so excited to see me he would spin in circles to the right, stop, and then spin in circles to the left. We called that his "happy dance" and we laughed every time he did it. I loved looking in his sweet eyes to see them smiling back at me even though he couldn't see me. I loved the way he would moan as I gave him a massage and rubbed his ears even though he couldn't hear me. He was such a Southern Gentleman. I only had Maxx a short 2 ½ years, but I loved him as if I had raised him from a puppy. When he died at the age of 19, he had the heart and soul of a puppy. He had the true spirit of a Bichon's love and forgiveness. The first 16 years of his life is uncertain, but I can assure you that his last 2 ½ years were the best he could possibly have. Never give up on the Sr. dogs. They still have so much love to share. And maybe, if you're as lucky as I am, they may teach you a new kind of love. Would I do it again…..absolutely!!! We miss you so much my sweet SOB……Special Old Bichon. Vicki, Jim Lexi and Bella Written by Diana McNally A little over a year ago, in June of 2001, my sister brought me a beautiful gift. She had sprung a stray from the Shelton, WA shelter at my request and brought her to me. We`ll never know how old Maggie was or exactly what her lineage. She was small and white but that`s where her resemblance to a Bichon ended. She was already quite elderly, with a heart murmur and arthritis as well as cataracts - and the shelter said she was quite deaf but we found out she could hear when she wanted to. While she still had a spring in her step and a wag in her tail, she was rather frail and slow moving. The vet gave me medications for her heart and arthritis and she improved, having moments of actual glee in being alive. Sometimes she`d pace circles around the center core of my house, and I`d call her "my little mall walker". There was never any question of placing her for adoption in her condition so I became her permanent foster Mom. To save wear and tear on Smallpaws budget, and to keep a spot open for another elderly rescue, I assumed financial responsibility for Maggie. She was groomed at home because I never really trusted anybody else to be patient and gentle enough with her. Being wet made her cold so I`d wrap her in a succession of warm bath towels and snuggle her while she snored in my arms. Those were the sweetest moments, because she wasn`t all that keen on being held any other time. Sometimes we`d both snooze. The night she had a huge seizure nearly did me in. If it hadn`t been for the wonderful moral support I got from the BF-L list, I would have gone crazy with worry. The vet put her on Phenobarbital and there were no more seizures. She went camping at our favorite lake and surprised me at her ability to hop down off the camper step on her own. She explored the campgrounds and hopped over small logs with the best of them. She loved to go in the car, and I used to feel sad about that, thinking she might believe she was going "home", whereever that was. Was somebody looking for her? We took her out of the shelter at the last minute, so maybe not. How did she get to be a stray? We`ll never know. She was guaranteed to break my heart because of her advanced age, but I couldn`t help falling in love with her. She taught me a lot about patience and gentleness, and by example, I believe all my grandchildren learned as well. She gave us so much, even as I picked off butt nuggets, gave her butt and foot baths after an accident in her crate, prepared special food to tempt her appetite, and did endless rounds with the carpet shampooer because she preferred the dining room carpet above all other spots if I wasn`t quick enough to take her outside. I knew this day was coming. The bounce in her step was gone, the wag in her tail too, and she was having other problems. Prolonging things would have been for my sake, not hers. She was ready. So I did the last thing in my power to do for Maggie. I set her spirit free. She had a bath and long snuggle the day before, and then we went for one last trip to town. The vet gave her a tranquilizer first, so he could find a vein without struggling and hurting her, and she went to sleep in my arms while we waited for it to take effect. She never felt the final shot. I`ve buried her in my secret garden and will put a suitable marker for her grave. Yes, I`m grieving, but for me, not for her. I think she`s enjoying the Rinbow bridge, and who knows, maybe there was somebody waiting there for her. If she doesn`t have anybody else, maybe she`ll wait for me. Would I take in another senior dog? In a heartbeat! Do I recommend it? Yes! It's really not for everybody - I won't promise it's easy, but there are rewards. So many senior dogs find themselves homeless through no fault of their own, and need just that little bit of extra care to see them through. Maggie could have died a year ago in a shelter, and would have - but she had a year of love and care and finally went to sleep in loving arms with my tears on her head. She gave me more than I gave her. Rest in peace, little Maggs Sable After Maggs went to the bridge I had a vacancy in my "senior hotel" so Robin sent Sable to me. She had had the same family for 14 years, had slept in their bed, had the same vet for 14 years and the same groomer for ten. Because of a bout with vestibular disease, her family thought she had reached the beginning of the end, and rather than watch her decline and die, they planned to help her to the bridge. Her groomer talked them into giving Sable to her, but due to resident alpha dogs, Sable was miserable. She was given into rescue where her first placement failed due to resident cats. (Sable made THEM miserable). :-) So Robin sent her to me. She was flown all the way across country and arrived in wonderful shape. I expected a weak, sick girl but got a strong, spunky, bossy, happy fluff who no way acts her age. We have weaned her off the allergy meds and our vet sees no reason for her to be on Enacard so we've weaned her off that too. Her heart is fine, she can still jump up onto the couch all by herself, and can move fast enough that it's hard for me to keep up with her if she chooses to play. Sable is fifteen now, plays with toys, torments the cat who torments her right back, lets me know when she wants something. Gigi She and Gigi and the kitten play together and I have every reason to expect she'll be here for a good long time. These golden years are such a precious time and I wish more people knew the joy of caring for an elderly fluff, and that I had room and ability to have more than one at a time. Thank you for doing this page for SPR, Anything that inspires people to take these old souls into their lives. -- Diana in the Pacific NW mailto:dynmyte@gorge.net http://www.smallpawsrescue.org Bogie Beau Hi: I am a foster mom and a recent failure of fostering 101. I was fostering two Seniors males, Bogie age 12 and Beau age 13. Beau came into rescue after his sole/soul mistress passed away and he was a little lost lamb. At first he did not want to be held nor did he want to participate in the games that I would play with my own 10.5 yr. old Bichon Buster or Bogie. Due to his mistress' financial situation Beau had not seen a Vet since 1998, so he was in need of shot updates as well as major dental work. He ended up having 14 teeth removed and was in great discomfort. So it took until about 3 weeks after coming into my home before he felt up to snuff. His mouth is still a little sore and he whimpers on occasion, but he is really a very happy guy. It started one Friday when I came home and got my usual greeting from Buster and Bogie. They would run to the door and give me kisses. Beau-Beau ran up too and was all set to give me a kiss. When he realized what he was about to do, he ran and hid. However, on Saturday night, while we slept. (yes they are on the bed snoring away) Beau-Beau woke up and was checking on me to make sure I was okay. When I smiled and spoke to him he wagged his tail and curled up next to me. That was all it took. On Monday I informed Robin that I wanted to adopt Beau-Beau. He must have known something was in the air, because on Tuesday when everything was finalized, Beau-Beau joined the kissing brigade. (He licked my hand for the first time.) Now it is like he has been a member of the house forever. He goes into the toy bin and pulls out his favorite. He is right in line for his cookies. I am giving him baby cookies, until his mouth is totally healed, which he loves.) and he runs to be the first into bed for night-night. Beau-Beau has mastered the doggie door and loves to go in and out and in and out and in and out. He just stands there looking a me as if to say I have total freedom of choice...and I choose in and out and in and out!!!!! I had him groomed yesterday, in a puppy cut since he has allergies and we had to have some spots shaved, so he looks totally precious. My groomer could not believe that Beau-Beau was 13 years old. I wanted to get a second dog, because my little guy was diagnosed a year ago with Cushings Disease, and I wanted Buster to have company at home to distract him as the disease progresses. Also, I believe Buster is a wonderful role model, since he has no food aggressions, nor toy aggressions, nor sharing mom aggressions. The only requirement Buster has is that he gets his one on one time with me. Which he now uses at night to groom me. ( I am probably the biggest Bichon he will ever see!!!) Having moved into a new house, I wanted an older dog, who was already use to routine and would adjust quickly. Boy was I lucky!!!. I really love being a foster mom to Bogie and I hope he is adopted by someone who can truly appreciate Senior Dogs, like Beau-Beau and Buster. I would do anything to keep my dogs happy, with the best quality of life that I can give them. They have given more to me than I could ever give in return. Jill E. Donoghue Hi there. I am a volunteer with SPR but my story isn't about one of our rescues. My sister had a Great Dane for several years and when he started to get older he developed arthritis. Her toddler loved to launch herself at him and it hurt him a lot. After an accident we decided that it would be safer for both of them if Ben "retired" to my home. I only had him for a year and a half before I had to put him down, but it was very rewarding for me. He visibly relaxed since he already knew me, and he knew he didn't have to be on duty any longer, nor on his guard. He's been gone 4 years now and I still miss him and I would do it over again in a heartbeat. Cecilia Richardson BichonBaby@prodigy.net Last September, I received an urgent email from Small Paws that they received from another rescue group, that there was, what they thought to be, a 10 year old bichon mix at the Denver Municipal shelter scheduled to be put to sleep the next morning at 10am. The shelter had deemed him "un-adoptable" due to his age, condition of his teeth, the fact he was not neutered, a heart murmur that was adding to his severe upper respiratory infection and severe bruising around his neck where he had been tied up. After 4 hours of negotiation with the shelter, they allowed SPR to adopt him- within an hour of his scheduled time to be put to sleep. Joy Flora, fellow small pawser and absolute ANGEL in Denver, helped me through the process of adopting him and taking him into foster care. What I received was a 6 pound mix senior dog who probably is not a bichon, may be part pomeranian, may be part peek a poo or terrier and is at least 99% gremlin!! He is the cutest, most unique dog I have ever seen and I have appropriately named him "Gizmo". I immediately took him to my vet, got his dental done, neutered, fixed up his infection, potty trained him, and got his heart murmur under control. Anyways, I have never fostered a dog before and officially have failed since I am making my home Gizmo's forever home. He is a joy to have around- I love him so much and even though he is 10 years old and has a heart murmur, wrestles with his new brothers, tackles his favorite stuffed bunny and chases around his rubber ball. He is on twice daily oral medication and has no outward signs of health problems- he even made it through the neutering surgery at 10 years old with flying colors! I love my lil' gizmo and thank god every day that he was brought into my life! Here is a picture of him so you can see my little gremlin fluff! I also included the christmas pictures all three of my dogs (my bichon,Kansas, and my boyfriends german shepard mix from a local rescue) I also have a recent addition of a 9 month old bichon foster pup! <<Gizmo Halloween.bmp>> <<DSC00018.jpg>> Take care! Tami Miller (and Kansas, Kabo, Gizmo and Diego) In Colorado! Hi, here is my story...I adopted a senior dog, when she was 13yrs.old...unfortunately she is no longer with us, however, I want everyone to know that she lived to be 18yrs. old.....and brought so much joy into our lives.......she taught us so much about unconditional love, and that dogs, are people too......she would pout if we were not paying attention to her.......one day my Husband and I were doing some decorating, in his den...time got on and I had not fed Patch, at her usual time, she came a couple of times, and I told her that I was busy, not realizing what time it was.......finally she came back for one last try....when I told her to go and lie down, she plunked herself down, with her back to us, right smack in the middle of the entrance to the room......she did it in such a way, that it caused me to stop and check my watch......wham......it was after 6:00p.m. and I usually fed her around 5:00p.m. and then walked her, immediately after.......she got her message across..........she was a darling girl, and I miss her still........Senior dogs, can bring so much love into your home and lives......I would adopt another Senior dog, in a heartbeat........ Teresa (Terri) Romain. I am proud to say we failed fostering 101. Nikki and Spike, a female bichon and her male Maltese lifelong companion, were owner turnins. They were 11 years old. They had been lifelong companions and it was requested they not be separated. They hid under the stairs for the first week coming out only to eat and go for walks. We already had two older bichons. After they were vetted and groomed, they were ready to be adopted. It seemed as if they might have been abused at one time but to lose your home after 11 years was traumatic for them. It was decided unanimously that they didn't need to be uprooted again and they were home. We have come to love them dearly in the year since we have had them. They seem to knowo that they were rescued and want to please. The four dogs get along extremely well. Tell people to not hesitate to adopt an older dog. They give a very special kind of love back. Nancy and Glenn Whittum along with Misha, Tori, Nikki and Spike. On June 23, 2002 I adopted two older dogs from Small Paws. These two had been together for ten years, and it was requested that they be kept together. I drove from Florida to New Jersey to rendezvous with the foster Mom. After a couple of days of staying with a friend in Maryland, we started the trip home. Little did they know they were going to have a group of ten dogs eagerly awaiting their arrival! Charlie Dirtypaws and Peggy Sue (as I named them) fit into the group and household very easily. They were immediately seen by our vet who could not get over their good condition. Well, Peggy Sue was nicknamed Piggy Sue by the staff as she was a little robust! She is a Chichuahua / Pomeranian mix. Charlie Dirtypaws had an ancestor that was kissed by a Bichon (!) , and I am convinced there is some Dandie Dinmont in his background. Both continue to be in very good health and are now fourteen and eleven. Peggy Sue, in particular, loves people and most especially, children. Though I love her dearly, I refused to get her her own kid!!!!! Instead she and I enrolled in a therapy dog class. May I say that she was the star of the class? She truly was. During the course of the class we visited the Ronald McDonald House and a local nursing home. We graduated from the class on March 3rd. Our graduation was held at the nursing home, and I think it is fair to say that she received the most applause when we stepped up to receive her diploma. Immediately Peggy Sue informed me that she wanted to pursue a "graduate degree." We are still visiting the nursing home every other week, and in May we will be evaluated three times by a representative of Therapy Dogs Incorporated. If we are successful, Peggy Sue will be a registered therapy dog with TDI and will receive her "uniform" - the TDI's bandana. I think she is going to do it. The residents cannot believe her age. So as a senior citizen herself, Peggy Sue is pursuing a new career, and is bringing pleasure to other senior citizens. I hope this will be of use to you. Maria Milburn Meet Bo! He is our senior bichon and here is his story: When my elderly parents could no longer care for me, I became an SPR foster child. My new parents didn't know it then, but seeing SPR featured on Animal Planet's A Pet Story would change all or our lives forever. Boy am I glad they watch Animal Planet! I was 10 years old when they adopted me two years ago, but even with only three legs, I act like a much younger bichon. I love to play, blitz, and run around the yard with my brother and sisters. When I came home, I had a little sister and we became best friends immediately! I blitz with her and try to beat her to the toys when we play fetch. Now that I have even more adopted SPR babies in my family and foster children who come and go, I think I am still the boss because I am the oldest. I have taught them to leave me alone when I am asleep, and I bark to keep them in line when they are getting too rowdy. I am the gentleman of the family! My Mom and Dad love the way I cuddle on the couch and keep Mom's feet warm in bed. I may be old, but I am healthy, I am a lover, and I hope to spend many more years as a special part of my new family! Since we adopted Bo, we have added Sir Bentley who was 8 or 9 and blind when we fostered then adopted him almost 2 years ago, Tiffany - our first foster who adopted my husband, Ken (and boy did she have to work hard to become a permanent part of our family!), and Cheddar to our family. Bo really does have his hands full keeping all of them in line. Bichon Waves and Cheddar Kisses, Cathy AKA The Continuing Story of Carla, Abby & Buddy, Now about my bichon babies--tell everyone out there not to let other people talk them out of adopting older dogs. Abby's now 15 and has spent the last four years of her life with me. She now has kidney disease (and at most, two years of life left) but don't tell her that! She's just has vocally demanding as ever and I wouldn't have it any other way. I think she's a part-Southern girl, too! My Mom died in June 2000 at age 88 after 15 years of various illnesses and I would've never made it through that loss without my "dear old puppy". I'm so glad I disagreed with all my friends who had said a year before "Don't adopt an 11-year-old dog! She'll just get sick and die on you soon and with your Mom already being sick you don't need anymore trouble!" Now I'm a very stubborn little person who had made up her mind to take in a dog who needed companionship so I retorted, "Well, whatever time she's has left, we'll have it together!" I've never been married, don't expect to ever have any children (except the furry kind) and I need companionship, too, so I feel that Abby saved me as much as I saved her. I stayed with Mom through her sickness and plan to see Abby through whatever lies ahead for her before she's ready for the Rainbow Bridge. Funny thing is, people started saying to me "You know, maybe you should get another, younger dog because Abby is now getting so old that she can't live much longer." I didn't plan to do that but last Thanksgiving someone contacted me about a little 3-year-old male who had a terrible cold, lots of fleas, and was about to become homeless. Turns out the "cold" was actually pneumonia. Some of my friends speculate that Buddy would've been dead by now if he hadn't come to live with me and Abby. She didn't want a "little brother" but now that he's well and putting on weight, he doesn't let Miss Alpha Dog boss him around quite so much. His true colors have been coming out along with that good health--he can be a growly-butt bichon at times. I can move Abby even when she's sleeping without a peep but he gets real grumpy when he's sleepy. The only remedy I've found for that so far is to sing to him first so he'll wake up, wag his tail, and then we can get started with the day. He and I are taking obedience classes together to try to turn him into the good dog I know is lurking below that super-thick coat (and head?) of his somewhere. It's gonna take some time, I know, but I don't give up easily. I've learned that dogs pick up behavior from watching one another, so I keep hoping he'll notice how Ab turns to mush when I sing the Supremes' "Baby Love" to her. And maybe we can put his youthful exuberance to work as my new dancing partner now that her arthritis usually keeps her all fours on the floor at once. I plan to have central air installed soon and hopefully the unit outside will quell another bad behavior of his--racing along the fence to chase every car that goes past. Is there any other way to "curb" that habit? I'll be sending more money later to help you help others to enjoy this wonderful breed and to save the little flufferbutts from a lifetime of baby-making. I'm sorry if I've blabbed on too long. I just love dogs, period, and get especially excited when it comes to bichons. I've had other breeds as pets when I was growing up, but I feel bichons are the sweetest and most gentle breed on the planet. Everyone should have at least one for a friend! Mine certainly bring a smile to my face. Thank you so much for staying on your mission. God is blessing you continually--even when the financial trials may seem to be too much. With love and admiration from Chillicothe, Ohio we are Carla, Abby and Buddy McGarvey (mcgarvcj@horizontel.com) Marley Dudley I am writing this to encourage other people to adopt senior dogs as they have alot of love to give also ! I adopted Marley and Dudley from Small Paws at 11 and 12 yrs of age. I totally fell in love with Marley and I didn't care how old he was. He knows when I need extra care as he'll come over to me and put his head on my shoulder and endlessly lick my face. He has changed my life cause he healed my heart as I lost my bichon JoJo a year ago who was my soul dog. I was wondering how it would work out with my JJ 1 1/2 yrs old. Marley will play with my JJ and bark like crazy. Dudley sometimes chimes in too. I think it actually has made them younger for it. So please give older dogs a chance, they too can love and play like the rest ! Stephanie NY JJ is our first SPR adoptee. I kept hounding Carol if she had found an older dog that needed a new home. The one that brought me to Small Paws needed to be an only child, so we didnt get him, but with perserverence and bugging the crap out of Carol, she told me of Jacques. They found Jacques abandoned at a vet's office in Ok City. He was old, has severe cataracts and was estimated to be about 12 years old. He was severely matted and when we got him, he was in his glorious nekkedness. This was the latter part of July of 2001. Momma and I spent 2 days in Ok City so he would adjust to us, get used to us before our long journey home. He is such a happy little camper. Always has a smile on his face, almost blind and lost a lot of his hearing because he had a severe yeast infection in his ears. Hes a great little watch dog. For such a little dog, he has one of the loudest barks that we have heard. Our first experience of it was when we were still in Ok City. We had gone out to get something to eat and came back to the motel room. Our key card wouldnt open the door so we had to get another key card. He was up on the bed looking out the window barking his fool head off. The guy who was staying next to us asked what kind of a dog we had and when he saw JJ he couldnt believe that bark came out of that body. He prances and when he lays down, he lies like the Sphinx. Very, Very regal. There is not enuf tea in china to take him away. I know he has only a few years left, but I know that our lives would be extremely empty without having known him. Our second adoptee from SPR was Elyse (aka Rosie). JJ was supposed to have been mine but.... momma has a way about her. I really think its the older codgers having to stick together. I called Carol because I remember Robin writing in one of her newsletters about her arkansas trip (definite hillbilly land) but because the arkansas rescue there was a 10-year-old who was in a kill shelter in Kansas or Missouri. Horrible rescue pic lol and there was no picture on Petfinders when Carol told me about her but i knew that she was mine. Our vet estimates her to be about 12 now. We will have had her for 2 years in late August. Rosie definitely does not act her age. Rules the roost, slightly alpha in a sweet way, bounces around the house like she owns it (believe me these dogs do own it, they are giving us the privilege of renting it from them - Rent fee - treats, nibbles and dinner nightly, think we got a good deal dont you). Gets very excited when we come home, etc. Pooh Bear is our first foster 101 flunkee. Pooh was a little over 10 when we got him to foster, horrible teeth, not neutered and found out that he has cancer. It has been a little over a year since we had it removed and he still is going strong. He has his good days and his bad days. You want to strangle him from yipping soo much but when he turned up missing, i was heart broken and when he was found, i was balling my eyes out. These are our older Bichons. Even though I know we wont have them as long as some people would have their younger dogs, but they give you just as much love, if not more. Now my wannabes: There is BooBoo. She was 11 this April. She is a black and gray Lhaso-Poo. Miss Queen Bee. She knows that she is top banana. She was my father's dog. My father collected stuffed animals and he had a favorite "Ollie" which is a gray elephant. The week that he died, Boo searched and searched the house for him (Daddy). One of the neighbors had put up Ollie in the laundry hamper. Out of nowhere, Boo came prancing down the hallway with Ollie in her mouth. She laid down with him and wouldnt let anybody take him away from her. After she found Ollie, she was a lot more content and happy (it was because it still had Daddy's scent). Ollie gets put up now and then to fix the stuffing and when she sees him, she just starts dancing and is so happy. But dont let any of the others here take him. Thats one stuffie she doesnt share. Bonkers is my little Shih Tzu that I rescued from a back yard breeder when she was 6 weeks old. She will be 11 in September. Bonkers does everything with me, rides in the car, dances and sings. She has a bad habit, if i dont tell her good-bye, she starts howling. Definite Separation Anxiety. she follows me everywhere, sleeps under the chair when Rosie and Snoopy are on the chair with me. Will sit up on her hind legs for ever it seems like wanting treats lol. Showy was my mother's collie. She was 14 years old which is rather old for a large dog. Showy was the last of our bloodline. She crossed over the Rainbow Bridge the first of the year. I know that daddy was waiting for her. I know that a lot of people are sooo very afraid of adopting an older dog or a senior dog. They are probably afraid because they wouldnt want to see him suffer as he got old, wouldnt want to realize that they only had a few years with them, thinking they cant do the things with them that they can do with a younger dog. Im telling you from experience, I have 5 dogs that are classified as "geriatrics" They sleep a little bit more, cant hear or see as well as the others but still have the playfulness of any puppy. If anybody is leary of an older dog, ask them to talk to me. I wouldnt have any other kind of a dog, these senior citizens need our love too and they give it back 10-fold. margie My husband and I adopted a bichon from SPR who was over 11 years old in July 2001. His name was Dimitri and one of the SPR volunteers Melissa Reiker flew with him on her lap all the way from Florida to us in Albuquerque, NM. This beautiful, sweet and wonderful bichon was also blind and had some ailments due to his age. His liver enzymes were very high, he had a slight heart murmur, and other ailments, but he was beautiful, sweet and delicious. We took him to an eye specialist and he tried surgery, but it did not work, he got medications for the Cushings Desease, he also had Insulinoma, something wrong with the pancreas, but we decided for him to have a happy family life for whatever time God would let him live. He kept me busy 24 hours a day and I loved it, just to look at his eyes looking at me, melted my heart, he let me hug him tight and I sang songs to him and talked to him and he listened. He had uncontrollable glucose problem, very low and no matter what the vet did, it would not budge, he would go into a semi-coma due to the low glucose, I neglected all my personal needs to make sure Dimitri was taken care of and to keep him happy and for him to know that we loved him very much. In December 2002, right after Christmas, he went to sleep fine, but got up the next morning throwing up and would not eat. I took him to the emergency hospital, Dimitri was being treated for the cushings and insulinoma by one of the vets there who was very specialized in this field, he was put on intravenous and I had to leave him there. The doctor found out he had a vestibular attack, an inner ear problem where they loose balance, it does not have any treatment, it usually reverses itself, but in our Dimitri's case, it did not want to reverse, and after 8 days, he started having seizures, one after another, and he ran a fever of 105, he went into a seizure-coma and nothing could be done. After crying my heart out for over an hour, I had no choice but have him put to sleep, He went to be with God with my voice in his ears, I promised him I'll see him someday and hug and sing songs to him again. I have a beautiful memorial in his memory at BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY website, under ANGELS REST MEMORIALS, under the month of January 2003, under the name of Dimitri (the names are listed alphabetically)-.Try to see it so you can see how beautiful he was. Well, I have to go now, I wish you the best with your other doggies. Love, Rose Sehr, Rio Rancho, New Mexico Little Joey When we got this little boy and his papers, I couldn't believe what I read. He had been to Europe with his owner twice yet was surrendered to a shelter because "we can't afford to take care of him". P-L-E-A-S-E! Another staggering point was his age noted as 19 years old, making him now old enough to drink and vote at the age of 21. Though this information seems a bit far fetched, it's all we have to go on, concerning Joey. One thing is for sure, he's very old. I'm designating November 13th as his birthday, the same as, Jay, my son who should be home from Iraq in September. What a great little gentleman Joey is and a grumpy old man too. Every part of him must ache so he seems to get little or no pleasure from being held. He does love to be petted if he's not being held. He loves his warm bath and the warm water running all over him for several minutes. Glucosamine and a senior multi-vitamin has helped him regain some of his stamina, enabling him to trot outside to explore the yard and 'defend' whatever he thinks is his and he thinks everything is his. At lunch he is separated from the other dogs to have his meal and then his quite nap alone for two or three hours. He can still hear me when I call to him loudly and despite his aggressive cataracts, can still see a little. He's my kind of dog....the little old ones that have been dumped after years of devotion. (How do these people sleep at night?) They always respond to kind and gentle love and affection and seem to realize that they will remain with us for the rest of their lives. We have five other dogs with similar old age afflictions. We've already lost our tiny little Pom girl, Sophie, but she was happy to the end and all was her 'normal' here until I found her the morning of August 16th, 2002. Our Toy Poodle, dumped at the shelter by her owner. Little Paul-Paul...strange name for a tiny strange dog. What a love who went blind almost overnight and really had trouble handeling it, as we all would. He managed to make some adjustments. After taking him to an opthamologist one Friday in February, he died in my arms on the way to the vet the following Tuesday. We've lost our tiny Yorkie in May. Graham Cracker, a puppy mill stud for seven years, only knowing a 2' X 2' cage for the first seven year of his life. This made him older than his years and he was only with us for 2 1/2 years. Slowly his health faded until we talked early one morning about how he was going to have the sweetest, most wonderful "nap" and we would see each other again soon. I gave him a tranquilizer and within 15 seconds, he was "asleep", his little body was failing so fast. To this little boy, Mommy was his l-i-f-e. He had to know where Mommy was at all times and would loudly protest is he didn't know. He would tolerate Daddy, only until Mommy returned. I miss all my little Shadows. Maybe most will understand how I can do this...some won't. If I have my way, sometimes I don't, no life will pass from this Earth alone. I want to be the last thing I see as they leave. I want them to KNOW that they are loved as they come to know Sweet Peace from their tired bodies. We do realize this could all snowball and we could lose several any day now, but the seniors offer us such a special kind of love. I think it's because each had been deserted by the one they love but they're trusting enough to let us love them as well, knowing they will never be left behind again. Deborah Reddy Franklin I adopted Franklin over a year ago from SPR at the age of 9 - 10 years…. He is blind - for the most part deaf - apparently never learned to play - he has NEVER once given me a kiss - and would prefer that I never hold or kiss on him (at least that is what he wants me to think…ha ha). AND I COULD NOT LOVE HIM MORE ! I am for sure going to put together something - a tribute to FRANKIE and send out to you guys ! I preach daily on the JOY of adopting senior dogs ! C.A. Brown Cory on left. Alex on right. I rescued Alex and Cory at 12 and 10 years old. Cory was very sick and died after 9 mo, but Alex is still going stong at 13.5. Somewhat like your situation, Alex and Cory were given up to a pound because the family "didn't have time" for them. I would still like to smack their faces!!!! And they were from a very wealthy community. Alex was pretty depressed when his baby Cory died but then I took in some fosters and he seemed to perk up so I kept the last one a 13 mo old boy named Spanky. Spanky is now 20 months and Alex definitely has a new baby to groom, and Spanky has a daddy to chew on and play with. Anyways, give me some idea of what you are looking for and I'll try to put something together. Patty Harrington patty.harrington@roche.com We're not sure if Zeke (Ezekiel) was a senior when we adopted him in November of 2000. At the time we adopted him through Small Paws, we - and they - believed him to be four years old. When my husband was in a terrible auto accident in August 2001, the friend who kept the dogs for us for 5 weeks discovered that Zeke was deaf. Zeke became ill in Demember of 2001, and, at that time, the vet estimated that he was at least 8-9 years old. He also has cataracts, and in June of 2002 was diagnosed with diabetes. So, we don't know how old our dear Zeke is - nor do we especially care. He is so lovable, both to us and to his "brother", Obie. Obie will be 4 next month and is a non-stop bundle of energy. It is nice when he initiates play with Zeke, but it is even more special when Zeke is the one to initiate the play!!! Zeke is very dependent upon Obie to be his eyes and ears. He has been very attached to me ever since we adopted him - he even cried the first morning I left to go to work. Recently he has become very attached to my husband, although Obie still thinks he should have Daddy's undivided attention. This is much too long and rambling, but it comes to say that, if Zeke is a senior, or even if he is not, we have no regrets about adopting an older dog with special needs. His loving, gentle, and affectionate ways make him a very special boy! Janet It's been exactly one month that my Miss Akoya Pearl passed away. I had her for two wonderful years. She was a matted urine soaked dehydrated soul that I knew had NO chance of being adopted. After a few months with me, she developed into a beautiful black and white shih tzu. About six month later I wanted a sister for her and became involved with the Sanctuary for Senior Dogs in Cleveland. That was the best decision I have ever made. These poor neglected and abandoned little ones have no idea what they did wrong and are left to be PTS just for being a senior. I have opened my house to the savvy seniors and special needs and some are permeant residents. They will know only love and devotion for the rest of their lives. We have to remember it's the quality of love and not the quantity. There was an owner turn-in at the WI humane society. This poor guy was left d/t chronic eye and ear infections. SHAME< SHAME. I can't understand what people think!!!! Having a loyal companion for 14 yrs, just to give him up. Forever Shih tzu contacted me and we are going to give him a forever home just like he deserves. I want to thank you personally for opening your heart and home to our seniors, they will only repay you with such devotion and unconditional love. Kim, My girls-Lola-the luscious Lhasa, Lulu a 14yr Pom, Arwin a 14yr old Shih Tzu girl, Katie, a 11yr old toy poodle mix(being adopted this week) and Brie a 12yr poodle_lahsa mix(also being adopted this week) I, myself, rescued a Lhasa from Small Paws 2 years ago. While Danny was thought to be only 6, the rewards of rescuing him are countless. He is one of my 5 loves (yes I have 5 furkids) but he will always hold a very special place in my heart. This past Christmas, I received an email from a local rescue organization, letting me know that there was a "older" bassett/Lab mix at a local county shelter who was in need of a foster home. She was basically on death row. Knowing that I had a house full, I work full time, have 2 children-12 and 9 , and the 4 furkids, something told me to rescue this sweet girl. Just by reading about her, I fell in love with her. The Saturday before Christmas, I met up with the owner of the Rescue Org. who had just rescued "Roezee" from the shelter. I walked up to "Wende's"car and what did I see..... I saw this very precious black lab face, with a basset hound body. Poor thing was so overweight she could barely even move. Her left paw was deformed, so walking was a chore. I put her in my car, nestled between the 2 kids. When we got home, I could tell that this poor girl was deeply depressed. She didn't wag her tail, had no facial expression, just stared into space and slept. I sat with her the rest of the day, just talking to her and letting her know that she was safe and I would do anything and every thing I could to make her a happy dog. We named her Roezee. After 2 days, Roezee and I had this special bond and I knew at that point I had failed Fostering 101. She was mine to keep. There was no way I could give her up to a forever home. Her forever home was with me. As the days, weeks, and months have gone by, My sweet Roezee, is a senior dog bubbling with happiness. She has shed about 6 lbs, she can move like a grey hound when she wants, and she is the Queen of this house. She sleeps on the sofa during the day, with the TV on, ( Her favorite is Jenny Jones) Out of the 5 furkids that I have, down deep in my heart, there is a special bond with Roezee and Danny. Just knowing that they bring such happiness to me. While puppies are so much fun and work, if ever given the opportunity to adopt a senior, you bet I will. Cost of purchasing a puppy $300.00 Cost of new unchewed furniture $1000.00 Cost of obedience training $150.00 Cost of rescuing a Senior Furkid..............................PRICELESS Danna Henri Danny Roezee Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away We adopted a 7 year old Bichon, Cody, from Small Paws, 18 month's ago. He was in a puppy mill all his life, so had the typical withdrawn behavior. However, he is learning to be a dog and has been a joy to us! He now smiles and blitz's and cuddles. He loves my husband and daughter and me, too. He is our first dog, ever, and such a blessing. To us, he is like a puppy (sometimes we call him "the puppy"), because he daily learns new things and tricks. He now sleeps on our bed at night and snuggles at our feet. We are really glad we adopted an older dog, and feel he has a special life with us. Francine Linde I adopted a 15 year old Yorkshire Terrier from the pound here in Arizona in March 2003. I named her Jordan, after Michael Jordan because her tongue stuck out due to lost teeth. She did not have a toofer in her mouth, but that did not stop this baby! She ate kibble and chewed on bones! She had such a heart of gold and a bark that would make anyone melt. I do not know how she ended up at the pound. But, I pulled her right out of there. I only had the chance to love her for 7 short weeks. She was my absolute baby. I miss her everyday. It was her adoption and unfortunate death that led me to meet a lady named Suzanne, who lives a few miles from me in AZ. She had recently adopted an old lady Bichon, name Pearl. We met just after Jordan passed away, actually 3 days later. We met up at the local shelter to adopt out a 10 year old Yorkie mix. Now, she has started a senior dog rescue in this area which I am helping her with to a small degree. It is called Red Mountain Senior Dog Rescue. We are working to give older doggies the opportunity to make it after being placed on the "e" list at the shelters here in AZ. Thanks for your time, I am attaching a photo of my girl, Jordan. I miss her everyday. Sincerely, Jenefer Miller Arizona http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999 &gid=618191&uid=132691 A TRIBUTE TO THE SENIOR DOG, IN MEMORY OF ALEX Alex was not destined to spend a great amount of time with us. However, he came to us for a specific purpose. Once that purpose was fulfilled, he decided that it was time to go to the Rainbow Bridge. The final phase of his purpose with us was in dying. I discovered rescue five or six years ago. In one of my many internet searches, I found Small Paws Rescue. I cannot say enough good things about the people who make this wonderful organization such a success. I was drawn to this group. The more I learned about SPR, the more I was drawn back. I learned that Robin does this work for God. How better to serve Him than to save one of his most precious creations, one who many people believe insignificant. Dogs have always been a passion in my life, from my earliest memories. While researching different rescue groups and looking at the thousands of pictures of dogs in need of homes, I could never understand how people can simply leave them behind. Their reasons just didn't make sense to me, i.e., "We moved and couldn't take them," "I bought new carpeting," "He's too old." I just don't get it. You would take your children, why not the dog? My dogs are just as much a part of my family as the human members. I decided that if I, with cognitive reasoning abilities, couldn't understand, how could the dogs understand, especially the seniors who had given their entire lives to a family they thought loved them. I started paying special attention to the seniors in need of homes. Since we have a 4 year old grandson, I concentrated on the ones good with small children. One day, I saw Alex's picture on the PetFinders web page. Although the picture wasn't the best, his sweet little eyes seemed to reach into my soul and say, "Love me." And I did. I talked to Pat about adopting Alex. I told him everything I knew about him, that he was 15 years young, that he had been with the same family his entire life, that he had been loved, that they moved to another country and released him to Small Paws. I understood that the laws governing animals entering other countries can be extremely difficult on the animals. They can even be quarantined for up to a year in some countries. In retrospect, I have to thank them for allowing Alex to spend his last days with us instead of dying in quarantine in a place he didn't know. We decided that Alex would come home with us. Thus began our journey with Alex. I completed the online application. From there, the process went very quickly. Small Paws spoke with our vet. I spoke on the phone with Robin, Donna and Heather who had fostered Alex, and Lynda, the transportation coordinator. Before we knew it, we had been approved to adopt Alex and plans were completed to have him flown to us. Alex came home on Sunday 19 October 2003. We drove to the St. Louis airport, about 2 hours northwest of our home in southern Illinois. As we approached the airport, a plane was coming in for a landing. Pat said, "That's Alex, it's a Delta." And so it was. We found the Delta cargo bay. We watched as they removed Alex from the transport. He barked at the workers. (smile) We were only there 20-30 minutes. We got Alex, completed the paperwork, and were on our way home. Once we were safely in our van, I had to get him out of his crate. We couldn't get the door open, so we removed the top. He was so beautiful and sweet. Pat drove and I sat in the back with Alex. The trip home was uneventful. He lay contentedly in his crate most of the way. Occasionally, he would stand up behind Pat to feel the wind in his face. He loved the wind in his face. We stopped half way home to let Alex potty. He didn't make a sound on the way home. Even though Alex loved both of us, it was Pat that he attached himself to from day one. He followed Pat through the house, even to the basement where the laundry is located. I thought this was rather humorous since most dogs prefer me to Pat. Alex knew what he was doing. Of course, there was a period of adjustment. This period didn't last very long. Our two girls (Sydney an Australian Cattle Dog and Cheyenne a Yorkie mix) adjusted quickly to having Alex here. And Alex adjusted to them as well as to our schedule of working during the day. Soon we became a cohesive family. Alex, along with the girls, would greet us at the door when we returned from work. He was always delighted to see us. What a feeling of satisfaction that brought. Alex had a sense of humor. He used to tease me. He would wait for me to go to the bathroom, take my pants down and sit on the toilet. Then he would come to the bathroom door, do the play bow….and take off. He knew I couldn't chase him. Alex loved his pillows. We left one on the couch for him to use during the day. And when we received his SPR blanket from the blanketeers, we put it over his couch pillow. He also loved laying on Pat's pillows on our bed. He made himself right at home there the very first day. We found a local pet store and bought all natural dog food. But what Alex "really" wanted to eat was people food. I had been forewarned that he liked to eat from your plate. I didn't really see that as a problem, because I frequently feed my furkids from my plate. Well, that warning was an understatement. When it came to my plate, he was an "in your face kinda' guy." Never to be outdone by the girls, he always made certain he got "his" share. And he would talk to me while starring into my face with those big black eyes. I miss those eyes. I'm pretty certain that Alex had some arthritis in his back legs, at least in the left one. When he walked, the legs worked independently, but when he was in a hurry, they worked in tandem. I watched him to make certain he wasn't in any pain. He never acted like he was. I noticed that before he jumped up on the couch or the bed, he would put his front paws on the furniture, hesitate, collect himself, and then jump. I decided that I would assist him onto the furniture. I was even going to ask my dad to make him a 2 step stair to help him climb up where he could be more comfortable. He got accustomed to me helping him very quickly. If I wasn't there immediately when he put his front paws up, he would look over his shoulder at me as if to say, "Well? Aren't you going to help me?" And of course, I did (while I was chuckling at him). Unfortunately, he didn't give me enough time to get his stairs made. Alex didn't give us much warning that he was leaving us. He was never sick. Maybe he grieved for the loss of his original family. Maybe he grieved because we couldn't be with him during the day. Pat believes we failed him because we had to work. And maybe we did. I don't know. I think Alex tried to die a full week before Christmas. On Thursday, December 18, 2003 when I came home from work, I couldn't find him. I looked everywhere I could think of. I was frantic. He didn't come to me when I called him. Finally I found him. He was in the very back of his crate. He hadn't used his crate in weeks. I ripped off the top of the crate and took him in my arms. He was shivering. I put his tee shirt on, wrapped him in a blanket and held him close. Soon he stopped shivering, but he remained lethargic. I must have asked him not to leave us. I was scared that he would. For more than a week, he just didn't spring back to his usual self. He remained lethargic, but didn't act ill. We took him with us everywhere we could. I just didn't want to leave him. Deep down, I knew he was dying. I was afraid to take him to the vet, afraid they would suggest we send him to the bridge. Had he been in pain, I would have. I swore to God that I would not take away one breath that God intended for Alex to have. I know that was selfish on my part. I just wasn't ready for him to leave. Alex loved us so much, he waited until Christmas passed to leave. The Sunday after Christmas, December 28, 2003 is the day he left us. In the middle of the night between Saturday and Sunday, Alex fell off the bed. It was a horrible sound, and I thought he had died at that moment. But no, he was on his feet. I picked him up and put him back on the bed. Pat and I went to church Sunday morning. I didn't want to leave him, but I did. Our good friends were having their adopted daughter baptized that morning. I felt I had to go. But later that afternoon, I refused to leave Alex to go to the reception. I knew he was dying, his breathing was extremely labored. He was my priority. I would stay with him until the end. I continued to try and get him to eat, but he wouldn't. When I tried to give him water, he wouldn't drink either. I knew it was only a matter of time. I tried to hold him, but he didn't seem to want to be held. So I laid him on the waterbed he loved so much. As I petted his head, I told him it was okay to go if it was time. I brought the chair from the computer table into the bedroom to sit next to Alex. I put on a happy face and started chattering to him. I thought maybe the sound of my voice would be comforting. I turned the television to Animal Planet and we watched one of the ASPCA rescue programs. Soon he moved to the end of the bed, nearer the TV. I stayed where I was, but kept talking. I looked up at him and he was on his side with his head hanging off the bed. I went to him. He convulsed and then he was gone. I took him in my arms and held him, sobbing. I didn't put him down for a long time. I couldn't. Pat came home from the reception and asked if he was ok. I shook my head no and said he was gone. We both broke out in sobs. I still couldn't let him go. Pat went to dig a grave. When he came back inside, I asked if he wanted to hold Alex and he did. Then I held him awhile longer. We buried him in a cardboard box I had brought from work to wrap a Christmas present. Little did I know when I brought it home it would be a present back to God. I gently laid Alex on the bed. I arranged one of his towels in the bottom of the box, placed him on his side and wrapped him in the towel. I left his face unwrapped, I couldn't bring myself to cover his face. He was buried in his Superdog tee shirt and his collar with both his rabies and his Pampered Pooch tags. In the future if someone else finds him, they will know how much he was loved. He is buried in the back yard inside the fence. None of our previous pets are buried inside the fence. Pat picked the spot to lay Alex to rest. If you are wondering what Alex's purpose with us was, he came for my husband, Pat. Pat doesn't like cats. And even though I like cats, I have to have my dogs. Therefore, I wouldn't bring cats home as long as he would let me have dogs. This was a compromise that worked for both of us. Since the beginning of our time together, I have always had my dogs. Pat tolerated them and was even good to them, but they were never as important to him as they were to me. Alex changed that for Pat. This conversation about Alex shortly after we buried him will explain. Pat, "Alex was a gift from God." Me, "I know." Pat, "He came here for me." Me, "How so?" Pat, "He came here to open my heart to how special one little dog can be. You've always known." Me, "Then he was your gift from God." There are no guarantees in life, not for us nor for our canine companions. The older we are, the less time we have. So it is with our dogs. The seniors are special. They have given their lives and devotion to their human companions. Sometimes their humans pass on before them. Sometimes their humans give up on them. For whatever reason the seniors end up in rescue, they deserve the utmost love and respect from those of us lucky enough to become their guardians. They give us so much. They look into our souls and know us better than we know ourselves. Alex was our first senior adoptee, but he won't be the last. There is an urgent need to place the seniors in loving homes. They give us so much more than we give them. We had hoped we would have more time with Alex. We wanted more time with Alex. We needed more time with Alex. What we got was enough time for Alex to leave an indelible pawprint on our hearts. We will always love and miss him. We'll meet you at the Bridge, Alex! Love, Pat, Ruth, Alex, Sydney and Cheyenne Cook Subj: Blessed Is He... Our Senior Experience Date: 2/6/2004 11:10:16 AM Central Standard Time From: cks3359@comcast.net To: pup3@aol.com Dear Robin, I was so pleased to read Michelle's note from earlier this week encouraging everyone to consider adopting a little "senior." I'd like to share our own little senior experience in support of this effort and am hoping that you'll share it with our group. A little over five years ago our seven-year-old Schnoodle, Sam, was diagnosed with an advanced case of hermangiosarcoma and had only weeks to live. Our hearts were breaking and everything was, more or less, put on hold to be with him; we certainly had no thoughts of adding another dog to our household. Then my step-grandfather passed away and we "inherited" his little 16-year-old Chihuahua, Lady, whom he had personally rescued some years prior when someone had asked him to "just drop her off some place" on his way home. I have to be honest that I went into this situation with preconceived notions (maybe some of the same ones some of you may have)...while we knew it was the right thing to do, I was almost sure that, at 16, this old, scared, almost toothless, little soul who'd already had a fairly severe puppy stroke a few years earlier, probably wouldn't live long...we would just kind of "get along" in the meantime. Lady, however, apparently didn't know she was old and had much different ideas about how things would be. She quickly claimed us as hers and "blossomed" (my Mom's term) into a spunky and very outgoing little soul, so much so that we nicknamed her Bugsy. She became our little senior Heart Healer...when our hearts were breaking for Sam, she was the one who made us smile and laugh when nothing else did. I will be eternally grateful to and for her for that. From there, this dynamic little spirit never let up and kept us in stitches (her playful "attacks" initiated by somersaults into our legs legs followed by wild kicking and play fighting, her cocky little strut, her tiny paw pokes for attention, her crooked and toothless little grin...I could go on and on.). She remained in good health for four-and-a-half years, but then struggled periodically with Inflammatory Bowel Disease for the last several months. Old age finally seemed to catch up with her a couple of weeks ago, and when she took a decided turn for the worst last week, Jim and I held and kissed her and told her how much we loved her as she went to the Bridge. I found this quote by Sydney Jeanne Seward (from the Senior Dog Project) that I'd like to share with our group, "Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog." Truer words were never written. Bugsy was a wonderful bonus and blessing in our lives. We love and miss her but are grateful for all of the funny, wonderful memories we have. In her memory and honor, I'd like to join Michelle and encourage other Small Pawsers to consider adopting an older dog...your lives, too, will be blessed in ways you won't believe. Thanks for letting me share this. Sincerely, Cindy Subj: Humphrey's Story Date: 2/9/2004 10:31:57 AM Central Standard Time From: Cheri.Sisco@acxiom.com To: pup3@aol.com Robin, I hope you don't mind, but I want to add Humphrey's story to the page of Seniors. Here it is: Humphrey came to me as an owner surrender in March of 2003. This case was a little different in that his family was doing what they felt was best for him. He was 10 years old and they were the only family he had ever known, but there was a younger dog in the picture who bullied Humphrey around making him grouchier than normal. Since the younger dog wasn't going anywhere, they decided it would be best for him to find a loving home where he could be the king and live his retirement in peace. I picked up Humphrey and promised them I would let them know when he was adopted. I knew we were in for the long haul since he was a senior and weighed in at a whopping 39 lbs!!! Humphrey was with us three months when I was told somebody wanted to adopt him. I talked to the perspective parent and knew it would be a perfect situation for Humphrey. An adult-only home with no kids. He would definitely be the king! His new mother drove to Arkansas from Iowa to get him and was absolutely thrilled. I kept in contact with her after he left just to make sure everything was going o.k. I got an email about six weeks later saying she didn't know what she was going to do, but Humphrey was keeping her from getting any sleep at night. He would just sit by her bed and cry. I knew what she was talking about as I had experienced this also, but had chalked it up to being in a new place. She finally reluctantly made the decision to let Humphrey come back to Small Paws. I emailed Bonnie and said I wanted to foster him again because he knew us and was happy with us. When he came back it was as if he had never left! I think I should have known right then and there that he had found his forever home. I put his photo and bio back out on the Petfinders page and it was there for about a month when I finally decided I was feeding him and grooming him, I might as well own him!! I was on my way to officially failing fostering 101! I told Bonnie and Robin I just couldn't bear to send that precious face away again if I wasn't 100% sure it would work out. I called Humphrey's original family and told them Humphrey had once again been adopted. The mother held her breath and asked where he was going. I told her he was staying with me, and she was so thrilled and said their prayers had been answered! They were hoping that was what would happen, so see, God always does have a master plan! Please consider adopting a senior. The love they give far and away makes up for their advanced age. I'm including Humphrey and Fozzy's Christmas picture. Spooky Subj: Senior Dogs Page Date: 2/12/2004 7:09:33 PM Central Standard Time From: LTC Dawg@aol.com Hi Robin: Here is Spooky's story: In early 2000, we decided that we wanted to add a second dog to our household. We wanted another little, white, fluffy dog, but we didn't want to do anything to encourage puppy mills or indiscriminate breeders. We also didn't care if our new dog was a puppy or not, and thought we could do some real good by adopting a homeless pet from a local shelter or rescue group. We kept checking on the www.petfinder.com web site. We found a senior Bichon named Spooky, who was available for adoption through Animal Rescue, Inc., in Maryland Line, Maryland, just north of the Baltimore suburb where we live. We called and made an appointment to meet Spooky. They weren't sure of his age, but they thought he was somewhere between eight and ten years old. The story they told us was that his owner had been an elderly gentleman who had been ill and had hired someone to care for him. Apparently, this caregiver was unable to handle both the man and the dog, so Spooky was turned in to this no-kill, rescue shelter. When they brought Spooky into the room to meet us, he was such a sad sight. He had a beautiful face, but he needed grooming and bathing. His fur was all grown out, and he was so dirty that he was more gray and yellow than white. He had several really bad hot spots. His tail was drooping so badly that it was dragging along the floor behind him. It was so limp I thought it was broken. He came right over to me, but he tried to bite me when I went to pet him. He would not let me touch him, and he really freaked out when my husband tried to pet him. He was obviously terrified of men. They told us that Spooky got along fine with the other animals at the shelter. We had Muffin in the car and they hit it off right away. Muffin and Spooky have been buddies ever since. They have never barked or growled or snapped at one another, and they love each other. I felt so sorry for Spooky but I fell in love with him at first sight, and I just had a feeling in my heart that he was destined to be mine and that I could develop a rapport and love and trust with him. Spooky had been at the shelter for months and months and no one had adopted him because of his age and his biting. I was so sad that I almost cried when I heard that. We filled out the adoption application and put down a deposit to hold Spooky for us. We went back to the shelter to pick up Spooky. They had bathed him for us, so he was all clean and white when we saw him again. He loved riding in the car, so that was encouraging. The first thing we did was take him to our vet for a checkup. He was freaking out in the vet's office. He was completely out-of-control. He lunged at me and bit me on the hand when I tried to help out. I was not just a nip, but a huge bite that I almost needed to get stitches for. The vet thought I was crazy to adopt Spooky, and he asked me point blank why I wanted to adopt this dog? I told him I was sure that I could handle Spooky and turn him into a loving pet, and I wanted to give it a try. We took Spooky home and he seemed to calm down a bit when he got there. After a few hours, he jumped up on the sofa and curled up next to me while we watched television that evening. When we went to bed, he followed us into the bedroom and he jumped right up onto the bed that first night. He's slept in the bed ever since. Animal Rescue had also warned us that Spooky was a peanut butter fiend. The staff used to keep Spooky in their office during the day, and they used to make peanut butter sandwiches for lunch all the time. They started noticing that if they were eating peanut butter sandwiches, and if they walked away from a desk and left a peanut butter sandwich there, it would be gone when they returned. They finally figured out that Spooky was stealing their peanut butter sandwiches and gulping them right down. To this day, Spooky loves his peanut butter, as well as peanut butter flavored dog treats! Aside from not allowing people to touch him (and we will always have to be very careful with him around strangers -- especially children), he also has never been interested in playing with toys or chewing on bones or blitzing around like a normal Bichon. We can't help but think that he must have been abused -- probably by a man, since he is much more afraid of men than women. I was right about myself and Spooky. I did get him to trust me and love me and stop biting me. He is now a very loved, cherished and spoiled rotten family pet. His tail is up all the time. His tail wasn't broken after all. It was his little heart and spirit that were broken when we first met him. He is no longer scared and no longer lonely. He loves to travel, and we've stayed in hotels with him all along the East Coast -- everywhere from Massachusetts to Florida. We put him into my uncle's swimming pool in Florida last year, and Spooky swam and swam all over the pool and didn't want to get out of the water. He is a really good swimmer and loves water. Spooky is one of the lights of my life. He has a mommy and daddy that love him unconditionally, as he loves and trusts us now. He is a very happy and good little boy. He has been such a comfort to me over the past several years -- especially after the shock of 9-11 and after the loss of my mother last year. He is a real mama's boy and he is my little shadow. He follows me wherever I go, he sleeps next to me almost every night, and he just wants to be with me all the time. I work mostly from home, and he is usually curled up next to me whenever I am working. Senior dogs, especially senior rescues, have so much life left in them and so much love to give and receive. They need our love even more than younger rescues, because so few people are willing to adopt a senior. They are so appreciative and they can enrich our lives even more than we can enrich theirs. They deserve to spend their senior years, and whatever time they may have left on this earth, being loved and cared for. Think of how you would feel if you were old or sick and you were abandoned through no reason of your own. Think of how sad and frightened an unloved that you'd feel if you were discarded like that. Then think of a poor, sweet, little dog, that can't verbalize its feelings the way that a human can. Think of the confusion and frustration and worthlessness that they must be feeling. It breaks my heard to even contemplate this. I would have no hesitation whatsoever in adopting another senior dog in the future. When my Spooky looks at me with such love and trust in his little eyes, I know he is thanking me for adopting him and giving him such a wonderful home and such a great life and for taking such good care of him and loving him so much. There are no words that can describe how I feel about him and how much he has changed and enriched my life. I love him so deeply and unconditionally. It's a tribute to Spooky that I ended up getting involved as a volunteer and donor to Small Paws Rescue. I had so many questions about Bichons that I started going on the Bichon Message Board on America Online. That is where I met Robin and the folks from Small Paws Rescue. Spooky made me a true believer in rescues, as well as in the Bichon breed. Since then, I have rescued three dogs (all were owner turn-ins) on behalf of Small Paws Rescue. And I have become a regular donor to Small Paws Rescue, as well. I give as much as I possibly can, and I often make extra contributions to help out the organization in emergency situations. I will probably only adopt rescues from now on, I am hooked on Bichons and I would not hesitate to adopt another senior. Lisa Haber Small Paws Rescue Volunteer Baltimore, Maryland Mr. Hobbles~ Before Mr. Hobbles -After The beginning of a new life As the So. California team leader I frequently am the one who visits our kill shelters here in LA County to check out possible bichon and bichon mixes. While I have seen many fluffs in horrible condition, looking like a dirty mop laying in a corner, nothing compared with the shape Mr. Hobbles was in when I saw him that day in the corner of a dirty cell in a South Central Los Angeles shelter. His card was marked as an owner turn in, meaning someone had dumped him there to die, alone and forgotten. Owner turn-ins are my soft spot and it tears my heart out to see them. This little guy was estimated at 10 years old and he was on his last day. I asked the worker to see him and when they opened the cage to get him, he didn't budge. They thought he was dead. They uncerimoneously scooped him up and practically tossed his tiny body at me. As I held him and brushed the matting away from his eyes he slowly opened them and looked at me dazed and confused. Tears came to my eyes and I told the guy I was taking him. Once I got him out in the fresh air set him down and he just about collapsed. He was so hunched over it looked like he had a severe case of osteoporosis! He stumbled a few steps as if intoxicated and stopped and looked at me in bewilderment. After taking him to the vet and getting him some IV fluids to rapidly rehydrate him and having him checked thoroughly they told me he was severely malnourished - nothing I didn't already know. I got him professionally groomed and it was obvious he felt like a new man! He looked a million times better although he still was unsteady on his feet and was quite hunched over. I began a rigorous rehab program of nutritious food and supplements and after a couple of weeks he seemed to start aging in reverse! His personality started blossoming and he became quite a character, barking his orders for more attention, food, etc.! I also discovered that his trust and loving nature were seemingly unaffected by his cruel abandonment. After several weeks of special care and love, Hobbles was ready to be placed. I was worried about how we would find a home for this charming older gentleman given his age and the fact he was virtually blind in one eye, yet I knew if someone would just be willing to give him a chance he would prove what a loving and devoted companion he would be. Hobbles Forever Home! Hobbes has always been full of surprises. From the moment we first set eyes on him to this evening as I write his story, he has continually shown us different aspects of his personality and character. In many ways it's hard to imagine that we've only had Hobbes for two years now because it seems like he's been a part of our family forever. At the same time, my first memories of picking him up from his foster parents are still so vivid that it almost seems like yesterday. We had heard about Hobbes through the Small Paws Rescue group's website at a time when we were looking to adopt a second dog to serve as a companion to our hyperactive puppy, Kobe. At first we were a little wary about adopting an older dog, considering the boundless energy of our puppy, but we were told that Hobbes was in pretty good shape and actually enjoyed playing with other dogs. We thought we'd give him a try. We picked him up in the Bay Area and the first surprise he gave us was how small and wasted he really was, even after months of love and rehabilitation in his Southern California foster home. We had prepared ourselves for an older dog, but seeing Hobbes for the first time, both of us cried for a good portion of the drive home to Truckee, Calif., because of the condition he was in. Hobbes had been aptly named Mr. Hobbles by his rescuers, and bringing him home to our then snow-covered Truckee home, we had our doubts about whether he could adapt to the snow and the mountain climate we lived in. Hobbes' second surprise was how quickly he won us over to his side. When we got him out of the car and into our house we quickly discovered that we had adopted the ultimate lap dog. He wanted nothing more than to curl up near one of us and snooze for as long as we'd let him - something he still does to this day. Since that day, Hobbes has blossomed. Through a combination of better nutrition, hygiene and regular grooming, exercise, and a lot of love, Hobbes has become an amazing addition to our household. We have recently nicknamed him "Sarge" because of his bravado in keeping other dogs in line when they come to visit our house. Even a 95-pound lab and a 125-pound Malamute were no match for Hobbes' conviction that he is really in charge of our house and that he makes the rules. And though he is in his late teens (in people years), is deaf, blind in one eye, and has arthritis in his rear legs, he makes sure the other dogs pay the proper respect to their elders. Although he is a little too old and frail to romp with our younger dog, he did surprise us by showing an inclination to nurture others when we brought home a mother cat and her 8 newborn kittens which we were fostering for our local Humane Society. At first we wouldn't let Hobbes in the same room with the kittens, but he could smell them through the door and would whine and whine outside until finally we let him into the room one day. What followed was the most remarkable scene with Hobbes walking around sniffing, licking, and herding all of the kittens for as long as we would let him. Even when we finally left and closed the door again, he would stand by the door whining until we let him back in with the kittens. His latest surprise was in convincing me to allow him to sleep on our bed at night - something I'd vowed never to allow. But what can you do when he looks at you from the floor, his head cocked slightly sideways, and lets out a muffled whine? He now gives a very satisfied grunt when he lies down next to Meg on the comforter each night. And, surprisingly again, we've actually come to enjoy listening to his old-dog snoring. Before we adopted Hobbes, I would never have thought that an dog his age could contribute so much to our already busy lives, but as we've both grown older together, he's been a continual reminder to appreciate the most important things in life: your family, your health, finding a little spare time to stretch out in a sunbeam and take a nap, and of course, the love an old dog can give. Bob, Small Paws Volunteer, Sandy Pratt, and 10 year old Tommy. This is Tommy, a 10 year old bichon/poodle mix senior sweetheart. He was turned in by his original owners because they could not afford him anymore. I doubt he understood that. Anyhow he came to Albion NY where he stayed with a lovely pastor (Kathy) and her family since Sept. He then came to Buffalo where a friend and I had the opportunity to watch him for a couple of weeks. This was an excellent move as he then came to the attention of a great couple who are SPR members and he now has been adopted and is in his permanent home up north of Syracuse NY. Tommy was really lucky that he got turned into SPR and not some shelter. As you can see the transport was made on a terribly cold saturday - about 10 degrees and high winds. We are hoping that more people in this area see this and become interested in the SPR program and know that there are a few of us around here. Incidentally Tommy is living in the lap of luxury now with his own seamstress and a new sister named Pebbles. He even got to go to the wedding of Cara Seekings (another SPR member) His new dad's name is Bob and he just loves him. Cotton, a Very Special Sr. Bichon By Cynthia_29249@frontiernet.net Cotton came to us as a foster dog through another rescue group I was with March of 2002 on our 20th wedding anniversary. Picked up by animal control, his age was estimated at around 10 years. He was in pretty rough shape and needed to have his hair shaved as he was matted and dirty. Cataracts in both eyes....he was blind in one eye but could see shadows out of the other; and his hearing was impaired, too. The first couple of months were difficult -- not only for Cotton but for the whole family -- watching him get lost in corners, run into walls, stare into space, trot around the dining room table for several minutes at a time. He'd rarely settle down and would cringe whenever we reached out to touch him or pick him up. He'd struggle when held. When he went to adoption days, trying to find him a permanent home, he'd always come back. No one wanted an old, blind, deaf dog. The stress of those adoption days would set him back, and it was clear that they really were too stressful for him. When requests for treatment to his eye were ignored I called a Small Paws volunteer here in MN. Cotton became a Small Paws dog & I became a volunteer! After surgery to fix the ulcer & no more adoption days for him to endure, Cotton not only felt better, he became more secure. We continued to foster him and watch his true personality emerge. When outside, he would race around the yard as best he could, bouncing like a rabbit! In the house, he would get between our ankles and grab at our pants legs. He loved to have his ears rubbed and would roll over on his back to get a belly rub. We could pick him up and hold him for short periods of time. Finally, in July, our period of fostering him ended. He was adopted by a wonderful woman who had recently lost her dog to old age. When she came with her granddaughter to see Cotton, he just laid down nearby and would not interact with her. Later, in her home, Cotton behaved as he had when he first came into our home, and it broke her heart. He was stressed, and she couldn't put him through that, so he came back to us. When she brought him to me and he realized I was in front of him, he quickly pushed his head between my ankles, his rear end wiggling with excitement! With Robins blessing he became a permanent part of our family. Cotton continued to blossom. He loved to be held on his back like a baby and would settle down for a nap in the recliner. We called him lovingly, "Mr. Stinkybreath"! In January of 2003 Cotton had his right eye removed because of a luxating lens, this was the eye he could see shadows out of, unfortunately Cotton had difficulty dealing with the complete loss of sight, he had CCD {canine cognitive disfunction} and it became increasingly worse, life was difficult for him & we couldn't bear to see him deteriorate further. It's been almost a year since Cotton crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Having a dog with disabilities is not always easy; there are adjustments that need to be made. Changes in routine and furniture out of place can be stressful. I have no regrets bringing Cotton into our home & our lives. He was our first Bichon and Sr. dog with disabilties, he has not been our last! "Bailey" From: frednkim@comcast.net Subject: For the Small Paws Family Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2004 Dear Small Pawsers! I wanted to update everyone on our adoption of Bailey2! Tomorrow will be the 1-week anniversary with the newest member of our family who flew from Pennsylvania to us in Virginia and we couldn't be happier!! I wanted to write our story for everyone on how we came to adopt Bailey2, at 10 years "young" for everyone who may be considering adopting an older Bichon but may not be sure. Having grieved our last Bichon for over 3 years, we made the decision some time ago that when the time came, our next Bichon adoption would not be from a breeder but through a rescue. How delighted I was a few months ago to discover Small Paws over the internet! After spending time each night looking at all the pictures and reading all the stories, we had narrowed it down to a few. We filled out the adoption form, listed our interests and waited. How thrilled we were when within a week we had received a call from small paws to review and finalize our application! Very soon, I was contacted by the foster "moms" of the little guys we were interested in. After speaking with Beth on the telephone about Bailey and praying for guidance on this very important decision, my husband and I decided that Bailey was meant to be with us! And I must say that he's in better health than dogs I've seen at half his age! He is full of energy, LOVES his walks and even still chases squirrels up trees (with me trailing behind!) He has one of the sweetest personalities I've every known and is just wonderful with our 5-year old daughter, who loves him to death! We have several children on our street and he walks to the bus-stop every morning and every afternoon and lets the kids all take turns walking him! He doesn't mind at all them crowding around him to pet him and love on him - he just eats it up! I want to make a plee to anyone and everyone out there who's looking to adopt one of these older beautiful creatures. Noone truly knows how much time they have on this earth. Sure, you could say that your risks are lower that you'd have to deal with the inevitable sooner with a younger dog, but thats not always true and who knows what you'd be missing out on??? We pray that we are blessed with a healthy, happy Bailey for another 5, 6, 7 years.... but no matter, he has blessed us ALREADY and we'd have never known how much if we didn't take the chance. There are other wonderful reasons to adopt an older dog..... They are generally always housebroken already and WAY past the destructive, chewing on everything stage. Their little personalities are already intact and when they move in it's more like getting to know you instead of having to 'train' you. I must say, I can't imagine it any other way! I want to add that Fred and I were so impressed with Small Paws and the entire organization! We would definatley refer them to anyone and, when the time comes, would adopt through them again in a heartbeat! Thank you all for everything! I have attacted some pictures of Bailey with us this first week....enjoy!!! Kim Cifelli Simba, 10 yrs old. Dear Vicki, Adopting a senior dog was one of the best decisions we have made! My husband and I began our search for a companion for our 3 year old Bichon (Tommy) and found so many great dogs out there with different stories. As I explored what characteristics would fit best in our house, a senior dog kept coming to the top of the list, and Simba, our 10 year old came into our life. We were looking for a dog that had settled into a calmer phase of life to compliment our young one. Simba brought calmness to our house that I never even imagined. The entire house, including our 3 year old was much calmer and our evenings settled down nicely, whereas before, Tommy would pace and look to us for constant entertaining. I had heard one of the benefits of getting a senior dog, is that they merge into a new family easily, and the transition of bringing Simba in was unbelievable smooth. We have had him about 2 and ½ months and from day one, you would have thought we always had him. He learned his place in the "pack" quickly and easily and is just such a joy. The very first day we brought Simba home; Tommy met him and gave him his ball to play with. At the end of the first week, Simba found I had left the pantry open and he found some dog biscuits, he took one out, gave it to Tommy, then went back to get one for himself. Senior dogs have so many advantages, and Simba has proven all of them to be true. He was housebroken, appreciative of a new loving home and returned the love with hugs and adoring looks into our eyes. Simba instantly caught on to the rules of the house, and knew dog toys from other items quickly. He loves going through the toy-box and selecting a toy. He is just about the happiest little guy I have ever seen. When I selected the age group I wanted to adopt a new dog in, 100% of my friends and family said it was a bad decision. They said he's too old, will cost too much money because he will get sick, and will die soon. Many people, who have gone to adopt older dogs, have heard the same thing. Several people just shook their head in disapproval when the heard I had selected Simba, a 10 year old Bichon that I was having flown in. I didn't care, I saw his face, and my heart melted, and I just knew he was the dog for our family. I envisioned him sitting on the deck watching the other one run, when he got tired of running himself, and sure enough, that is just what he does. He runs and plays, then settles down to enjoy watching his kingdom from the deck. It's the best of both worlds, some play time and a time for the family to just relax together. Senior dogs also offer the family a feeling that they are doing something good for a dog in his/her retirement years. We are so happy that Simba's family cared enough to relocate him when they felt he no longer would be happy remaining in their home. We have been blessed with one of the most special dogs and a warm feeling every time we look at him. For those considering adopting a dog, I would recommend considering a senior dog. The downsides are far less that the upsides. We know that we won't have Simba as long as a younger dog, but then I just figured, we can adopt 5 senior dogs to one young one and I will have the joy of knowing many more dogs in my lifetime! Simba, being older, does need more frequent potty breaks than my younger guy but he is worth it. He sleeps through the night, but like the older people I know, likes to go to bed at 9 pm and up at 5 am. That is all I can list for Simba, as a downside! I sleep until 6, but he gets up at 5, and you know... at 5 when soft kisses cover my face, it is easy to get up. Simba's favorite thing after that is to run a little, then snuggle in his comforters that are placed just for him on all levels of the house! It comforts his little bones, and keeps our Texan transplant warm in our Illinois climate! There is nothing more precious than to see this cute little boy, cuddled in his blanket looking up with loving and adoring eyes! Thanks Vicki and to everyone at Small Paws that helped me locate this little guy and bring joy to my household! -Sarah, Alan, Tommy, and Simba Kanter Illinois Small Paws Home! ___________________________________________________________ Subj: Senior dogs Date: 1/12/2006 4:59:05 PM Central Standard Time From: JEANLTC4U@aol.com To: Pup3 God I am sobbing like a baby after reading these stories of senior dogs. Especially Alex! As the new Mom of a senior dog, Coco for only 3 weeks I found a lot in common and also a lot of encouragement. My new girl Coco is 9 years old and my 3rd. Bichon. After losing my Luther 15, in 2005 I felt that by adopting a senior I could give another deserving pup a few good years of love and care. When I saw her on your web site I realized I had experience with the severe allergies and the blindness and I could handle it! So when she came a week before Christmas in the cold and snow from Texas I felt as though I had a wonderful present for myself as she is a wonderful fluff. She arrived with a soft collar on so she wouldn't chew herself pup on the long 2 flights. I feel as though she is my fluff Luther reincarnated, something I never expected. I have been struggling with getting her to accept my 9 year