Senior Dog Rescue of Oregon
100% volunteer    100% foster homes    100% donor funded

A HOME FOR HOBBS

A Jenny & Allie Story

By Jenny Sullivan, Senior Dog Rescue of Oregon Foster Home Coordinator

The first time I saw Hobbs, she looked every day of her twelve years. I admit, I thought, "What will I do with this very old dog?" Because of Hobbs' advanced age, it was extra hard for this dog to lose her owner. I knew this so I was prepared to let Hobbs stay with me until her time came. I also identified with this situation because my dog Allie is a yellow lab and, like most dog lovers, I try to forget that our wonderful friends leave us sooner than we'd like.

When she came to live with me, Hobbs seemed depressed, choosing to sleep most of the day away. Many foster dogs do this. I fantasize that they dream of waking up back at home, not in an unfamiliar household.

Luckily, Hobbs perked up once she notice my dog Allie going out in the cul-de-sac for play dates with her friends: Gretel, a St. Bernard and D-O-G, a English bull dog. Hobbs' arthritis didn't seem to slow her down once she joined the cul-de-sac gang. I wondered if she'd had any dog friends before arriving at my house. Well, she sure had them now!

About a month later, I got a call from an Aumsville couple who had just lost an older dog. They were down to two dogs and after seeing Hobbs' on the SDRO petfinder site, thought she was a perfect fit. We talked and I agreed to bring Hobbs for a visit.

"Wow! This looks great!" I said to Hobbs when we pulled up to the beautifully manicured yard with a pond and a securely fenced yard for the dogs to run and play in.

Hobbs must have also thought he place looked inviting because she jumped right out of my car and lumbered over to her new owners, barking as if they were long lost friends.

I cried when I returned to check on Hobbs. She'd just finished her 2 week trail and it was so obvious that she loved her new family and they loved her.

I laugh when I recall how worried I was about Hobbs. Her favorite activity now is exploring the forest trails. When the camper comes out, she's eager to hit the road to adventure with her human and canine family.

Once again I find myself humbled by the people who open their hearts to senior dogs. Each and every one of them has a place in my heart, right next to every dog Allie and I ever fostered.

All stories are copyrighted by Jenny Sullivan. All rights reserved. Reprinted on SDRO website with permission of Jenny Sullivan.


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