Forever Fosters: Sponsor a Senior Dog

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Forever Fosters: Sponsor a Senior Dog

Can't adopt or foster a senior dog? You can still help. All of the dogs featured below are Forever Fosters at The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs. They are not currently available for adoption for a variety of reasons; some have constant medical needs; some are in the final stages of illness; some have special emotional needs; J.J. and Francesca serve the Sanctuary as therapy dogs and official spokesdogs.

You can sponsor one of our Forever Fosters (or an adoptable dog waiting for a forever home) through our Forever Fosters:Sponsor a Sanctuary Senior program. Your contribution provides food and ongoing medical care for our Sanctuary Seniors. Without sponsors like you, the Sanctuary could not continue its mission of protecting and caring for old dogs that cannot be adopted. In return for your support, you will receive a photo of the dog you have chosen to sponsor. You will also receive periodic updates from your dog sometimes signed with an authentic paw print. If possible, we will arrange for a visit with the dog you sponsor if you are local to Cleveland. Please be sure to tell us which dog you would like to sponsor. In 2012, we are launching an e-newsletter just for sponsors of our forever fosters.

You may send a check and indicate which dog you would like to sponsor, or you may contact the Sanctuary for a sponsorship form; you can also set up your sponsorship through the links to PayPal at the bottom or the left side of this page. The dog you sponsor will be grateful for your help.

SANCTUARY FOREVER FOSTERS

Cali, a 10-year-old Yellow Lab, came to us with Happi (adopted) and Dolly (below), rescued from One More Chance Sanctuary in Springfield, Ohio, in late February by the Clark County Humane Society and the ASPCA. Cali, like the others, was one of 361 dogs living in deplorable conditions at the hands of a "rescue" gone horribly wrong. After spending a month in the excellent care of the Clark County Humane Society, Cali came to the Sanctuary to find a permanent home that will offer her unconditional love and care and show her what it is like to be part of the family. Cali, however, is much more emotionally fragile than either Happi or Dolly. The years of living in isolation in a hog barn have left her withdrawn and sad. She responds to gentle touch and affection, but she is still slow to go outside or to move around much on her own. Cali is currently in a Sanctuary foster home, learning to trust. She is regaining her health after an intestinal blockage caused by material she apparently ate some time ago. She was also recently spayed and is ready for a quiet, loving, patient home. If you are interested in adopting Cali, please contact the Sanctuary. The rewards of loving a dog who has been through what Cali has are great indeed. She will give back tenfold.

Update: Cali has become a permanent Sanctuary resident. She will stay in her foster home, the only real home she has ever known, for life. Her adjustment to life in a home was difficult and continues to this day. It would not be fair to Cali to ask her to start over again after all that she has been through, Your support will help with Cali's medical needs, which include daily medication, supplements, and acupuncture for advanced spinal arthritis.

Coconut, a tiny long-haired Chihuahua weighing just over 2 pounds, came to the Sanctuary from a rural shelter where he was turned in by a family who no longer wanted him. Since he was very emaciated, we feared the worst, but his medical check up was good; his blood work was all normal. But poor little Coconut has only one tooth, and his lower jaw bone is missing. He eats well, however, as long as his food is made into a slurry. We are hoping that he will gain some weight and find that perfect home where he will have unconditional love and care for the rest of his life. If you would like more information on Coconut, please contact the Sanctuary. You can meet Coconut and all of his friends at Adoption Sunday the last Sunday of the month.

Update: Coconut was recently diagnosed with an inoperable tumor. He has been moved to our hospice program where he will live with his loving foster caregiver and receive palliative care for his remaining time. You can sponsor coconut by visiting our sponsorship page. Just be sure to mention Coconut in your subscription.

Evie, a 10-year-old Longhaired Chihuahua mix, came to the Sanctuary after she was abandoned in an area shelter. Evie was bone-thin, very ill, and frightened. She is beginning to respond to lots of love; good food; and regular veterinary care. Evie has a ways to go before she is healthy enough to be spayed and begin looking for her forever home, but she is enjoying all the comforts of a Sanctuary-approved foster home for as long as it takes for her to regain her health and her strength.

Update: Evie has moved to her new foster home where she will be adopted as soon as she is healthy enough to be spayed. She has taken her place in a family of one loving woman and two cats. Evie interacts with the cats in her new home, letting them know who is boss even though they are easily twice her size. Her new care giver reports that Evie has made remarkable progress in every way; she is healthier than she has ever been, and she is mentally alert and interested in her surroundings. She is a devoted lap dog who has found the perfect home. Because Evie's is delicate, her spay has been postponed again. But she will stay with her foster caregiver forever if she cannot be safely spayed.

Neeko, 14-year-old Border Collie/Cattle Dog mix, is a real sweetheart of a dog who was surrendered to an area shelter because of his owner's failing health. He has mild liver disease, which is asymptomatic and being treated with milk thistle; he also has a touch of arthritis, but that does not keep him from playing with his pack mate in his foster home. Neeko has lots of energy and bonds quickly with people and other dogs. Neeko has recently been diagnosed with atypical Cushings disease, so he will remain in his foster home for life. Your support helps with the cost of Neeko's medicine, supplements, and veterinary care. Please contact the Sanctuary for more information.

JJ, an 8-year-old Yellow Lab mix, is a sweetheart of a dog. Found wandering by a good Samaritan, JJ was taken to an area shelter where staff quickly discovered that JJ is entirely blind. But she does not let that stop her. She is learning to respond to voice commands and seems to be a quick study. As you can see by the picture above, she enjoys a good belly rub and sprawls on her back to make sure you can hit all the right spots. Friendly with other dogs, JJ is easy going and loves to play. She is healthy, spayed, and ready to call your home hers and will quickly become your best friend.

Update: JJ has passed her therapy dog test and is now our second therapy dog. Congratulations, JJ and Jolene. And thank you to Gold Star Dog Training in Medina, Ohio, specializing in handicapped pets, who worked closely with JJ. Thanks also to Linda Farace of Crazy Dog Studio for the excellent shots of JJ and Jolene. She will remain with the Sanctuary and share her irrepressible joy with others. Your support helps with the cost of JJ's veterinary care.

Dolly, a 10-year-old mixed breed, came to us with Happi and Cali, rescued from One More Chance Sanctuary in Springfield, Ohio, in late February by the Clark County Humane Society and the ASPCA. Dolly, like the others, was one of 361 dogs living in deplorable conditions at the hands of a "rescue" gone horribly wrong. After spending a month in the excellent care of the Clark County Humane Society, Dolly came to the Sanctuary to find a permanent home that will offer her unconditional love and care and show her what it is like to be part of the family. Weighing just under 30 pounds and healthy, she is missing half of her right ear from her experiences at One More Chance. But her living conditions seem not to have had the impact on her that they did on some of the others. The picture on the left was taken as she was being transported to Cleveland from Clark County Humane. The one on the right was taken at the Sanctuary's April Adoption Sunday where she was very friendly and curious. We have realized that Dolly is deaf and has severe arthritis in her spine. But she is happy and well-loved in her foster home where she will stay for life. Your support helps with the cost of Dolly's arthritis medicine, supplements, and veterinary care. Please contact the Sanctuary for more information.

Rolo, an 8-10 y/o Miniature Pinscher, is a happy fellow now that he has found safety in a Sanctuary foster home. Found as a stray by animal control,. Rolo was frightened and alone. He is loving and well-adjusted. He has developed a heart murmur, and he occasionally experiences some back problems that respond to medication. Rolo's heart disease has progressed, so he will remain in his sanctuary foster home for life. Your support helps us with his ongoing medication and veterinary care. To sponsor Rolo, please contact the Sanctuary, or click on the PayPal links on this page.

Mackey, a 10-year-old mostly Black Lab, came to us in 2008 from a very overcrowded rural shelter where he was surrendered by a family who could no longer care for him. Mackey is healthy and happy with a very good appetite. In the middle picture, his eyes were on a plate of chicken our vet had just cooked for him. With lots of energy, Mackey is very playful and attentive. He seems to have been well-trained at one point and responds to basic commands. Friendly with people and female dogs, Mackey loves to be the center of attention and would do best in an active, adult household with lots of daily exercise and play. Mackey has some behavioral issues that stem from his past, however, that have made him unlikely to place, so after more than two years in his foster home, Mackey will remain there for life. If you would like to help with Mackey's care, please contact the Sanctuary.

Francesca, a 12-year-old Chihuahua, serves the Sanctuary as its resident therapy dog, visiting local assisted living facilities, schools, and churches. Francesca is particularly well-suited to therapy work as she loves everyone she meets and brings her own particular brand of happiness to those she visits. With a personality as big as her ears, she wins easily makes people forget their troubles even if only for a short while. Part of Francesca's care is generously provided by a grant from the Grey Muzzle Organization. If you would like to contribute to Francesca's care or donate to our Georgia memorial Therapy Dog fund, please contact the Sanctuary.

Jewel, an 11-year-old long-haired Chihuahua, came to the Sanctuary when she was unclaimed in animal control, apparently frightened by July 4th neighborhood fireworks. She is a timid dog and shows evidence of fear, but she does warm up to people if she is approached gently and with love. Jewel would clearly prefer to be the only dog, and she will repay your love and care tenfold. Because she has been through so much and because she is still very afraid of new people and new situations, Jewel will remain in her foster home for life.

Cassie, a 12-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound, was subjected to starvation and severe abuse before coming to the Sanctuary in 2002. She was quickly adopted by a loving woman who made it her mission to care for dogs no one else wanted. Sadly, the first adopter's situation changed over the years, and she was no longer able to care for Cassie adequately, so in 2010 she came back to the Sanctuary where she has found a wonderful foster family who loves her unconditionally. She shares her new home with another dog named Zoey whom Cassie has won over with her charming ways. Because Cassie is deaf and suffers some health problems associated with her advanced age, she will stay in her Sanctuary foster home for life. She recently had a large benign tumor successfully removed from her side. Your sponsorship of Cassie helps to cover her ongoing medical care.

Hazel is a very special girl who came to us with a sad story. She and 85 other dogs were removed from the home of a hoarder in Mansfield, Ohio, in June. The conditions were deplorable, and, sadly, only 22 of the dogs survived. Hazel, whom the shelter estimated at 14 years old, was pregnant and gave birth to four puppies at the shelter. Very shy and poorly socialized, Hazel was not likely to be adopted out, so she came to the Sanctuary where she has been slowly learning to trust people and to interact with them. Our vet Dr. Bob at Gateway Animal Clinic believes that Hazel's age was closer to 8 than the 14 suggested by the shelter. That is good news for Hazel. We hope she has a long time left to enjoy life as a loved family member rather than just a number. Because adjusting to new experiences is difficult for Hazel, she will remain in her foster home where she enjoys patrolling the yard with the other dogs and sharing love and treats with her foster caregiver.

Update: Hazel has been with the Sanctuary for three years now. She is 10 or 11 years old and happy as long as she has her very own chair. She shares a foster home with Rascal and Cali, both of whom have become her very best friends. Hazel loves chasing squirrels and stray cats out of her yard; she sings and dances for her dinner, and generally enjoys her new life. Your support helps meet Hazel's medical needs, which includes supplementation for some mild arthritis and daily medication for her allergies and thyroid condition.

Dina, an 11-year-old Chihuahua, was one frightened little girl when she came to the Sanctuary. We suspect that poor little Dina, who weighs only 4 pounds, was badly abused; she is hand shy and very defensive until she gets to know you and until you gain her trust. A vet exam also revealed a broken jaw that was never treated. Dina had a long-standing skin infection, which left her with a bald tail and thinning coat. The infection, however, has responded well to baths, treatment, and regular care. Because Dina has lasting emotional scars from her years of abuse and reacts to new situations with fear and aggression, she will remain in her foster home, where she feels secure, for life.

Update: Dina has been with the Sanctuary for about 4 years now. She has adjusted to life in her foster home, but she still shows her great displeasure around strangers. Dina is being treated for a heart condition. Your support helps with her daily medication and her frequent veterinarian visits.

Katie, a 17-year-old Pug mix, came to the Sanctuary frightened and ill. Struggling with anemia, inflammatory bowel, arthritis, and an infected tooth, Katie kept her spirits up and relaxed in her foster home even while she was very ill and must have been very uncomfortable. Since she has been with us, she has had exploratory surgery to rule out cancer and had her infected tooth and the tumor that surrounded it removed. She has also been spayed. Katie is now healthier, but her inflammatory bowel and her spinal arthritis require careful monitoring and lifelong medication. She enjoys a quiet foster home with lots of cuddle time, short walks, and frequent trips outside to relieve herself. Your support provides for Katie's ongoing medication, her high quality diet, and frequent medical check ups.

Rascal, a 16-year-old miniature Poodle, found himself alone in a rural Ohio shelter when his special person died and the family would not keep him. He is a friendly but needy fellow who enjoys the company of other small dogs. He loves to wander around a secure yard in the sunshine and then come in the house for a bite to eat and a nice nap. He also likes to roll in the mud and stick his head in mud puddles. Just the thing for a white dog to love! Rascal is a bit hard of hearing and has now lost most of his vision. His teeth were cleaned and several very bad ones were pulled. He has Cushing's Disease and dementia, but he enjoys meal time and jaunts in the yard, especially when there is a mud puddle close by! Your sponsorship helps the Sanctuary with Rascal's medication and frequent vet visits.

Clyde, an 12-year-old Lab mix, was found wandering the streets of Cleveland. Even though Clyde was pitifully thin and completely blind, he was confident, loving, and full of good humor from the first day we met him. Letting his nose be his guide, he is always ready to snatch an unattended piece of cheese or bread from a table or counter, and he is always ready for a walk or an adventure. He is friendly with most people, but he can be frightened and a bit defensive if people do not make their presence known to him before trying to interact with him. He bonds quickly and permanently, having made many new friends in his time with the Sanctuary. Because he reacted poorly in two adoptive homes, Clyde returned to his foster home where he feels secure and where he will stay, enjoying the company of his foster family and their dogs for life. Clyde has recently developed dementia which is being treated with medication. Your support helps to provide ongoing medical care for Clyde.

Your monthly sponsorship helps us care for those senior dogs who cannot be adopted because of medical or emotional conditions. We provide foster homes, medical care, food, and lots of love with the help of sponsors like you. Thank you for considering a senior dog. Our permanent Sanctuary dogs send out a four-paw thank you as well.

$5 a month provides heartworm protection for your dog

$10 a month contributes to feeding your dog

$15 a month contributes to the medical care for your dog

$20 a month contributes to the total care of your dog

$25 a month contributes to the total care of your dog.

$50 a month contributes to the total care of your dog.

If you are interested in other sponsorship amounts, please contact the Sanctuary.

Sanctuary dogs past and present enjoy the good life in their foster homes

thanks to our sponsors and supporters!

Left: Gucci with his friends Riley and Arwin (adopted from the Sanctuary) and Bocci.

Right: Meghan, Georgia, and Henry take time out for a nap.

Left: Angel, Guido, Meghan, and Rose line up for scratches and kisses.

Right: Brady plays couch potato under the watchful eye of young Toby Reis, Poodle/Terrier mix, one of Missy's puppies (Missy the Poodle came to the Sanctuary in 2003 from West Virginia as an 11 y/o Poodle in need, but she was, we discovered after she arrived, a mere 4 years old and VERY pregnant).

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