No spam here. Just heartwarming happy tails and smiling senior dogs! Our monthly newsletters include stories of the dogs and their families who have been helped by your support, tips for senior dog care, and updates on the latest happenings at Grey Muzzle.
Laura T. Coffey
Laura T. Coffey is a self-avowed dog nut and the author of the bestselling non-fiction book My Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts.
Stacie Duncan
In loving memory of my dear Pigface -- the sweetest, gentlest soul I've ever known.
MAAP—Address the needs of your pet by Debra A. Vey Voda-Hamilton
The previous article introduced you to the concept of making a plan for the care of your pet. In that article you were encouraged to: Address your pet’s uniqueness. List their identifying characteristics including color, sex, age, and microchip number, if applicable. This information will be invaluable to those left to care for your family companions. The MAAP outline (Make a plan, Address needs, Appoint caregivers, Publish plan) you create should cover their eating habits and personality traits. By creating this document you enable the person caring for your pet to know its common behavior. It seamlessly allows someone to step into your shoes.
Appoint by Debra A. Vey Voda-Hamilton
In our initial discussion of navigating the journey your pets take if you cannot care for them we talked about creating a MAAP (Make a plan, Address needs, Appoint caregivers, Publish plan). This MAAP will help others care for your pets in the way you intended. People think the only time they need a plan for their pet’s care is when they die. I thought so too until I broke my ankle. I had no plan in place to help my family care for my pets and me. This experience spurred me to write the initial MAAP program. Pet owners need a MAAP plan to cover their animal’s care if they are sick or injured.
MAAP Plan—Publish by Debra A. Vey Voda-Hamilton
In the prior three articles we talked about the plans you need to make that will provide care for your pet, the people you appoint to carry out those plans, and plans to address the needs of your individual pet(s). These articles help pet owners learn how to navigate the journey their pets will take if they cannot care for them. We discussed creating a MAAP (Make a plan, Address needs, Appoint caregivers, Publish plan). This MAAP helps others care for your pets in the way you intended.
Best Senior Dog Food: Key Ingredients to Look For
As your dog gets older, you want to make sure that you are making choices that will make their life as enjoyable as possible, including choosing the right food. There are more dog food options available than ever before, including many that are for “senior” dogs. What makes a dog a senior citizen? It can vary based on breed or size, with larger dogs being considered senior at 6-9 years, and small dogs not reaching that milestone until their early teens.
Vicki and Karen
In memory of Winston who loved camping, the girl gang and the two best moms in the world, Cheryl and Kolleen.
Howard
Meet Howard from San Francisco’s Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. At 11 years old, Howard found himself abandoned by his family with only one reason given to the shelter, “too old.” Instead of a name, he was now a number - #654156.
Cassie
In loving memory of our sweet Hanna girl who gave us nothing but joy and amazing frisbee throwing skills for 14 years.
Faith
Nine-year-old Faith came to Saving Pets One at a Time (SPOT) at the request of a local humane society. She had been there for three weeks and was experiencing a lot of stress. Faith and two other female "breeders" were released by their owner at the urging of local Animal Control Officers. All three dogs were used to produce puppies and lived most of their lives in crates.
Liz Thompson
Pops, you always kept your eye in the ball. Thanks to you, your Mom and I are very good friends. We miss you.
Colt
A message from National Mill Dog Rescue founder, Theresa StraderAs I reflect back on 2016, there are certain dogs that stand out for one reason or another-- seniors whose bodies are ravaged from years of overproduction and confinement, the most timid dogs that are terrified of our touch, dogs that are sick or dogs that were in such horrible condition they were unrecognizable as dogs. These are the dogs that touch and break our hearts the most.
Rebecca
To our Hanna, who enjoyed many years of playing frisbee, walking in the woods, and eating peanut butter treats. Your humans will miss your goofy smile and secret cuddles the most.
Reba
Abandoned at nine years old, Reba found herself alone at a shelter in Arizona. Grey Muzzle grantee Arizona Beagle Rescue stepped up and took this sweet girl into their care. When Reba first arrived at the rescue, she was one of the most petrified pups her foster mom had ever met. She also had significant pain in her hip. X-rays and an exam by an orthopedic specialist showed she needed surgery. Thanks to a Grey Muzzle grant, little Reba got the care she needed to repair her hip and relieve her pain.
Katie Swanson
To our little angels, saying goodbye to you is like losing our children and best friends all in one. You have been companions in times of loneliness, a comfort in times of sadness, and an everyday joy that shaped our lives and touched our hearts...