Woman turns her home into hospice for old shelter dogs so they don’t die alone

Even the dogs that may not have much time left should have a loving home. Even though younger puppies frequently take precedence over older dogs, older dogs should have a permanent home to live out their days.

However, one woman has dedicated her life to providing these elderly shelter dogs with a loving final home, converting her house into a sanctuary that is currently home to 80 senior animals.

The 44-year-old Valerie Reid of Hermitage, Missouri, was motivated to care for elderly dogs after a life event made her aware of the challenges that animals encounter as they age.

As her father battled cancer, SWNS reported that she found it difficult to find a place for her dad’s elderly Doberman. She discovered that no other rescue would take her and that she was already over the city’s pet limit, so she was unable to adopt the dog.

Because of her age, no rescue would take her home, Valerie said, “We looked everywhere for any rescue that would help.”

At last, she managed to find the Doberman a foster home on a farm that took special care of elderly dogs. The dog had a happy ending and lived in peace for an additional year and a half in their care; Valerie found inspiration from the experience that opened her eyes.

She told SWNS, “It got me thinking about what happens to senior dogs who were once beloved pets.” “I became aware of how many dogs there were in need of assistance… It is a genuinely overlooked area in the rescue industry.

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Thus, in 2017, Whispering Willows elderly Dog Sanctuary—a non-profit sanctuary for elderly dogs—was established by Valerie and her spouse, Josh. They purchased a 3,000 square foot house near Hermitage, which provided ample space for dozens of canines to pass away peacefully and comfortably.

Dogs older than 12 are accepted. She said to Ozarks First, “Sometimes special needs, sometimes hospice.” “On sometimes, all they come to us for is a place to lay their head and die.”

She clarified that a large number of the dogs had histories of cruelty and neglect, citing the discovery of Peanut, a dog, chained up amid a scorching heat wave.

She said to KY3, “When they come in, they’re very broken-hearted, emotionally or physically.”

Valerie, however, states that her intention is to provide them with a sense of normalcy and trust, as well as a secure permanent residence in which to live out their last days.

“They stay once they arrive. They’re not required to go. Since this is their permanent home, they won’t experience any more stress or loss.

“They know they’re safe when they arrive.”

Over the years, the rescue has expanded significantly; according to SWNS, the hospice currently houses 80 dogs at a time and employs 17 full-time staff members to care for the dogs.

“The sanctuary really grew and expanded beyond my wildest expectations. I adore having so many tiny hearts that reciprocate our love.

According to Valerie, over the years, they have taken care of 790 pets. Because of their advanced age, the dogs frequently die—roughly five of them perish each week, while the same number are adopted.

Valerie takes delight in providing these creatures with a nice environment to pass away, even if her profession can be depressing at times.

“Our goal is to assist individuals in getting ready for their final moments; none of us can predict the future,” she stated to SWNS. We get to bid our seniors farewell in style and with affection. While loving and caring for children is an honor, it hurts nonetheless.

Michael Douglas’s Son Is a Carbon Copy of His Dad, and Fans Can’t Believe It

Michael Douglas and his sons recently attended a big event in style, and fans couldn’t get over how much they all look alike.

Michael Douglas showed up with strong family support at the 2024 Princess Grace Awards. His sons, Cameron, who is 45, and Dylan, who is 24, joined him at the event.

Source: Getty Images

Michael Douglas and his sons recently attended a big event together, charming everyone with how much they look alike.

The trio appeared on the red carpet at The Pierre Hotel in New York City on October 23 for the 40th anniversary of the Princess Grace Awards. Michael stood proudly in the middle with his arms around his sons, making for a heartwarming family scene.

Michael wore a classic black suit with a bow tie. On his left, Dylan matched his father’s style with a navy-blue suit and a black bow tie. Cameron, on his right, added a personal touch with a black suit, a stylish striped tie, and bold black-framed glasses.

Later, Michael shared a photo of them on Instagram, showing his appreciation for the award he received. He wrote, “Night out with my two sons @dylan__douglas @cameronmorrelldouglas! Thank you Prince Albert II and @princessgraceus for honoring me with the Prince Rainier III Award last night in NYC.”

Source: Getty Images

Fans quickly reacted to his post, with many noticing how similar the three of them look. “Sharp-dressed men 👏,” one person commented. Others highlighted the strong resemblance, calling them “Daddy’s copy” and “carbon copies.”

Source: Getty Images

Many fans pointed out that Michael and Cameron look especially alike. One fan noted, “The one in the glasses looks a lot like Michael.” Others mentioned how Cameron reminded them of Michael in his famous film Falling Down.

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While many saw a strong resemblance between Michael and Cameron, others thought Dylan looked more like his mother, Catherine Zeta-Jones. “Cameron looks like Michael, and Dylan looks like his mom,” one fan commented. Another said, “Dylan is a mix of you and Catherine.”

Michael has a son, Cameron, with his ex-wife Diandra Luker and two children—Dylan and a daughter, Carys, 21—with his wife, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones.

At 80, Michael feels he’s become a better dad as he’s gotten older, though sometimes he’s mistaken for his kids’ grandfather. He once shared a funny story about attending his kid’s college event where someone mistook him for their grandparent. “This is not grandfather’s day, this is parents’ day,” they said, and he had to reply, “I am a parent!”

Michael says his second chance at family life with Catherine has made him more patient and involved. After 25 years of marriage, he feels that raising Dylan and Carys has been “a good ride.” Although he stays active, he admits he’s had to cut back on some activities. “It’s nice having someone look after you and say, ‘You okay, Dad?’”

Michael also deeply appreciates his family life with Catherine, calling these years some of his happiest. He feels grateful for his family and proud of his kids. Dylan has finished college, while Carys is close to completing her studies.

Michael has openly spoken about how his busy career took him away from his eldest son, Cameron, during his early years. This distance affected Cameron deeply, leading to struggles with addiction and even prison time. Michael once admitted in a letter to a judge that his demanding job left little room for family, and he regretted missing out on Cameron’s life.

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Cameron later admitted that he “hated the wreckage” drugs brought to his life, though he felt unable to stop. Watching his son’s struggles, Michael and his ex-wife, Diandra, felt helpless. “I thought I was going to lose him,” Michael recalled.

However, after his release in 2016, Cameron rebuilt his life. Now, he’s a devoted father to his child with his partner, yoga instructor Viviane Thiebes, and he’s reconnected with his acting career. Cameron now feels grateful for the support his family has shown him through it all.

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