Whispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary, a non-profit organization in Missouri, now has the capacity to care for up to 80 puppies at once.
Having had difficulty finding a home for her father’s aging Doberman, Valerie decided to start the refuge in 2017.
Mum Valerie Reid has transformed her Missouri home into the Whispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary – a hospice of old dogs. See SWNS story SWFH senior. This mum has turned her home into a dog hospice and looks after up to 80 senior pooches at once. Valerie Reid, 44, couldn’t bear the thought of old pooches spending their final days alone, so started her non-profit Whispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary. Dogs come in when they have spent a long time in a shelter, or their owners pass away or move into a retirement facility. Valerie, the charity’s President, said: “The dogs live with us openly and go between the two buildings. anywhere we go they go and are treated as part of the family.
I was unable to accept her since my husband and I had reached our city’s pet limit. ” ‘We tried everywhere for a rescue organization that might assist us, but none were willing to take her in because of her advanced age,’ she said.
In her current position, Valeria takes in all senior dogs whose owners have passed away or moved into a retirement home, and who have spent far too long in a shelter setting.
“The dogs are allowed to roam freely between the two buildings and live with us.” “Everywhere we go, they accompany us and are treated as if they are members of the family.”
“The most rewarding aspect is seeing the change that occurs when they realize that they are secure and loved.”
“Our mission is to assist individuals in preparing for the end of their lives since none of us can predict the future.”
The opportunity to send our elders to farewell in comfort and lovingly is a privilege. Yes, it is painful, but it is a privilege to be able to love and look for them.”
“I had hoped to assist people who were in a similar circumstance to my father and were unable to properly care for their beloved senior pets, but then I realized just how many dogs were in need of assistance. In many ways, it is a neglected component of the rescue community.”
Because of this, Valerie and her husband Josh sold their home in Kansas City and moved into their new house/sanctuary in Hermitage, Missouri.
A 3,000 square foot house with a 1,700 square foot outbuilding dedicated to the dogs is their residence.
“The sanctuary grew and grew, becoming larger and larger than I could have imagined. “It’s wonderful to have so many small hearts who care about us.”
Valerie’s only wish is for the dogs to “leave this planet knowing they were treasured,” as she puts it.
She now employs 17 full-time employees who provide care for all 80 dogs around the clock! Since its inception, they have been able to provide solace to over 790 pets as they transition into their next existence.
“Our ultimate desire is for them to depart this world knowing that they were loved and treasured.” We grasp one other’s hands and weep together most of the time. “They are part of our family, and we all adore them,” she said.
“We all need to make plans for the future, and this includes not just our wives and children, but also our cherished dogs.” Death is not a frightening concept; rather, it is a gift to grow old, and we must all confront death at some point.”