How far would you go to make sure that your dog was comfortable and well cared for? I think most people who have a dog in their family feel as if they are as big a part of the family as any human. There are some people who take things to the next level and they have more than one dog in their household. As far as they are concerned, you can never have too much love and by having more dogs, you certainly have more love in your life.
One of the unfortunate things that we often hear about is that dogs are neglected or perhaps even abandoned when they have any type of special need or when they get older. Far too many old and disabled dogs find themselves at shelters and they don’t have much of a prospect one that occurs. On occasion, we hear about some loving individuals who want to provide a special home for those elderly and special needs dogs. That was certainly the case with two dog lovers who are so dedicated to the cause that they have spent $55,000 transforming their house into the perfect home for those animals.
Sadly, due to rising vet bills, the emotional strain, or just a lack of interest, there isn’t much interest out there for elderly or special-needs dogs. And as a result, many old and disabled pooches can find themselves abandoned at shelters all over the country.
However, in an effort to provide as much happiness to elderly and special-needs pooches as possible, two dedicated dog lovers have spent a whopping $55,000 transforming their house into a relaxing retirement haven for their furry family.
Chris and Mariesa Hughes from Clifton Park, New York wanted to make sure that the special needs dogs under their care had everything that they needed in life. They knew that they had a lot of love to give, so they wanted to give some of it back. They even founded the Mr. Mo Project, a nonprofit that is trying to ensure that elderly dogs are cared for properly. On their website, they say: “Senior dogs deserve the best for the rest of their lives. We believe that senior dogs deserve homes too!”
Hundreds of dogs have been saved by this couple. Rather than being put to sleep in a shelter, they get the medical treatment they need and are adopted into forever homes.
The work that they do has affected their home life in a very profound way. Currently, they provide a home to 20 special-needs and elderly dogs. They talk about the family of animals and share a picture on Instagram:
They wrote: “We just want to share our pack of all rescued dogs, and what they live with and overcome…all combined to make one big, happy family.
“From left to right, top to bottom:
Money – 12 years old, laryngeal paralysis
Fitzgibbons – 10 years old, hit by a car, hip dysplasia
Delilah- 10 years old, cruelty case, front leg amputation and jaw correction.
Pixie – 12 years old
Lacie – 10 years old
Vera – 15 years old, front limb contracture
Mabel – 16 years old, tracheotomy, no lower jaw
Mya Marie – 12 years old, diabetic, blind, liver cancer
Major – 12 years old, no lower jaw
Tejas – 12 years old, mast cell cancer, spindle cell cancer
Frank – 18 years old, blind, deaf, hind end weakness
Pesto – 18 years old, kidney disease, blind, daily Sub-Q fluids
Gizmo – 20 years old, blind
Tina – 21 years old, blind
Meatball – 12 years old, anxiety and OCD, heart disease
Quinn – 12 years old, mast cell cancer
Stig – 13 years old, recurring mast cell cancer
Sammy – 13 years old, TPLO surgery
Phil – 7 months old, hydrocephalus, AA Luxation
Mercury- 1 year old, hemivertibrea (rear leg paralysis)”
They even spent $55,000 to turn their home into a place that the dogs would be able to enjoy.
Part of the money was spent on a $30,000 hydrotherapy pool. The dogs are able to get some awesome exercise.
They also have access to a $5000 king size bed and can sleep along with their humans.
I think that it is beautiful what they are doing for the dogs under their care. If space ever comes available, count me in!