There are numerous reasons why dog owners may desire to eliminate their elderly pets. Some are comprehensible, while others are simply absurd. However, the destiny of dogs after they have been separated from their proprietors is what concerns us the most. Their effectiveness declines as they age, and their memory, capacity to learn, awareness, and the faculties of vision and hearing may also diminish. Regrettably, not every new adopter can provide the necessary essentials for caring for a senior dog. Consequently, a multitude of senior dogs end up in shelters, deprived of the nurturing and affection from their beloved owners. What a disheartening reality! However, life is filled with wonders, and there are always kind-hearted individuals who are eager to offer their time and effort to rescue these unfortunate creatures. Today, we will introduce you to Valerie Reid, an exceptional woman who couldn’t bear the idea of elderly pets dying alone, so she transformed her residence into a hospice!
The sanctuary came into existence after Valerie encountered difficulty finding a home for her father’s aging Doberman.
In 2017, Valerie Reid’s father grew older and became unable to provide proper care for his lovable dog. As a result, Reid had to seek a new home for the small dog, which prompted her to wonder how many dogs are in need of a loving home due to their owners advancing in age.
“My spouse and I had reached our city’s limit for pets, and we were unable to take her. We searched extensively for any rescue organization that would offer assistance, but due to her age, none were willing to take her,” Reid recounted. “Eventually, a foster from one of the rescues caught wind of the predicament and expressed a desire to help.”
“I had wanted to assist those who were in a situation similar to my father’s, where they could no longer properly care for their cherished senior dogs, but then I became aware of just how many dogs out there needed assistance,” she added. “It truly is an overlooked aspect of the rescue community.”
Valerie established her hospice for dogs in Hermitage, Missouri, with her husband Josh.
Valerie and her 42-year-old spouse, Josh Reid, uprooted their lives and relocated from Kansas City, Missouri, to their current residence in Hermitage in order to turn her vision into a reality. They reside in a 3,000-square-foot house with a 1,700-square-foot building specifically for the dogs. Valerie reached out to the local veterinarian for support with the expenses of caring for the dogs.
In due course, Whispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary officially opened its doors on July 19, 2017. The sanctuary now provides care for up to 80 dogs at any given time. It welcomes all elderly dogs whose owners have either passed away or moved into a retirement facility. It also serves as a safe haven for those who have spent an excessive amount of time in a shelter.
“The sanctuary grew and expanded far beyond what I had initially envisioned,” Reid said. “I adore having so many little hearts that reciprocate our love.”
Gradually, the non-profit Whispering Willows Dog Sanctuary in Missouri has flourished and is currently run by 17 dedicated staff members who work around the clock to care for the dogs. “The dogs live with us openly and freely roam between the two buildings. Wherever we go, they go, and they are treated as part of our family.
