Meet Molly, a 12-year-old yellow lab and Chelsea, a 9-year-old Australian Shepherd mix. Not long ago, this beautiful bonded pair of seniors was surrendered to a local shelter. At 9- and 12-years-old, they had spent 9 years together, never apart. But at the shelter, they were lead to separate cages, and for the first time in almost a decade, they were without each others’ company. Waiting in cold concrete cages, they were scared and utterly lost.

They sat far longer than a shelter that has to eutahnize for space normally allows – they were given 30 days to find a new home. But no one adopted them, and their time was up. Young at Heart was contacted to help them. We had no space, no open foster homes, and were already boarding too many at a cost that eats into our medical fund. But then the shelter told us something heartbreaking – another rescue was willing to take the younger one, Chelsea, but refused to take the older one – they would leave Molly there to die. Furious at the mentality of it, we were not willing to let that happen, nor were we willing to separate them ever again. And so Molly and Chelsea joined Young at Heart! And, their story was so heartbreaking that one of our long-time volunteers stepped up to foster for the very first time. If you’ve ever even considered two dogs, know this – bonded pairs are so easy! These two girls adjusted to their foster home instantly, simply overjoyed with being together and in a home again. They fit into the pack seamlessly, and their foster family loved them to pieces.

We are incredibly delighted to let you all know that Chelsea and Molly are home for good! Their foster family made it official and joined the ranks of our beloved “foster failures”! These beautiful girls went from death row to heaven on earth! Thanks to the support of people like you who know that senior pets deserve a happy ending, Molly & Chelsea, and hundreds of other senior pets with similar stories have found theirs.

Thanks to Eve and family for giving these two a soft place to land when they needed it most, and the love of your family for the twilight of their lives! Congrats to all of you!

Dawn Kemper, Executive Director, Young at Heart

What if senior dogs and cats had a comfortable place to wait in the space of time between where their old lives ended and their new lives await? What if a there was a shelter designed just for old bones with heated floors, orthopedic beds, and lots of warm sunlight? What if there was a place where senior dogs and cats could meet those people looking to adopt an older pet, both the younger computer-savvy adopters and the older, traditional in-person adopters? A place with walking trails, a swimming pond, and secure porches for fresh air and relaxation? A place that is only a shelter by definition, but by measure is a home away from home? This place exists on paper, and we hope that sooner rather than later, this place will exist on our 8 acres in Woodstock.

There has also been a noticeable change in Belle now that Hershey is with us. She is eating better this past week and shocked me Tuesday when she greeted me at the door with her donkey and was ready to play. Belle has not touched her donkey (or any toy) since her brother Max died in July so I was thrilled beyond words to see this. And she no longer gets hysterical when we come home at night. She may give him a hard time at times but I think she really loves having Hershey here as much as we do. He has been good for all of us.

We can’t thank you enough for all you do and for saving Hershey for us.” ~Deb M

Your donations make Young at Heart’s work possible. Please make a donation today so that we can continue to make a difference for senior pets in need of rescue! Thank you for your support!

Hope was timid and a bit unsure after all the change in her life, but sweet and loving. We began water therapy with her, thanks to the generosity of the staff at Splash Dog, in an effort to help her gain strength. She really began to blossom, and we were all in love. Hope would make Trio proud.

A few weeks after we rescued Hope, we received an application from a wonderful lady, Arliss, interested in adopting her. Though we often get inquiries from all over the country in regards to certain seniors for adoption, we hardly ever see people follow through. Well, Hope’s soon-to-be-mom got in her car from North Carolina the very next morning after her application was approved, and drove through the night to meet Hope the very next day!! It was love at first sight, and it was official – Hope was going to spend half her time in North Carolina, and half her time in Florida. Hope was going home!

We receive regular updates about Hope from her mom (and sometimes Hope sneaks onto the computer to send us updates as well – she’s very talented with that one front paw!), and we wanted to share the latest photos of her. She’s absolutely stunning. The photo in the upper left hand corner is a few weeks after her surgery, the rest are from her new life with her mom. Hope looks absolutely fantastic, and we are so proud of the impact she is making in people’s lives where she lives. Her mom writes:

“I live in an Over 55 community and Hope has become the darling of the entire community. The true seniors (okay, I am one, but don’t feel like it) will stop and say “You know, I didn’t feel like going for my walk today and then I looked outside and I saw Hope and I thought: well, if she can do it with only three legs, then I better get out there with my two and get my walk in.” So she has become an inspiration.

She is a joy, Dawn. A total joy. She has so much love to give and gives it so freely and puts up with me even on days when I might not put up with myself. But she is healthy and happy, curious and devoted and I wanted you to know, and wanted to share how she is doing.

Another hit out of the ball park for Young at Heart. Thank you all.

Much love,

Arliss (and Hope)”

We love happy endings. Thanks to Arliss for giving Hope such a great home and for sharing her with all of us who love her, and thanks to Trio for making sure that Hope found us. ♥

When we rescued Dorothy from CACC, the poor girl was a wreck! She had a large mass on her abdomen that we had removed, horrible teeth, and a broken leg that had healed incorrectly eons ago. When we met her, she was drenched in her own urine from laying on the concrete she had to potty on, but was so wiggly and happy to be out of her cage, we just couldn’t put her back. And so she came to Young at Heart, knowing she was a long shot to find a home for, but we knew we could give her the love and care she needed in her senior years regardless.

Since May, Dorothy’s arthritis has progressed, but she is on a holistic and traditional regimen to keep her comfortable. It doesn’t keep her from bunny hopping with excitement when she sees her daddy though! And though it was obvious that Dorothy had very little contact with other animals before coming to Young at Heart, Dorothy’s dad was so patient and willing to work with her, that just last month she was finally integrated completely into his pack (dogs and cats!). Dorothy wakes her dad every morning with kisses, and loves snuggling into bed after he lifts her up into it. Dorothy is home.

So, we joyously welcome Dorothy into Young at Heart’s permanent pack for the rest of her days. She will stay in the loving care of her foster dad, while Young at Heart pays for all of her medical expenses. We are so happy to have Dorothy as part of our permanent family. We ♥ you Dorothy!!