Hope

Hospice

Hope was 15 years old when the family she had known her whole life surrendered her to animal control. She arrived with a broken body, a heart murmur, kidney disease, and eyes that could barely see. What she needed most was not a cure. It was someone who would simply stay. She found that.

The Day

Yesterday was the day...a day that broke my heart again.

We received a request to take a 15 year old dog that had just been surrendered by her owners. Her name is Hope.

We had no space and no foster homes available, so in a moment of emotion, I said I would take her home.

Hope after she was surrendered at 15 years old to animal control

The day she arrived, her medical paperwork showed she had severe kidney disease, a grade 4 out of 5 heart murmur, and that she is incontinent. Both of her eyes were bulging which brought serious concerns about possible Glaucoma.

Her first day at home with me she paced and paced, not knowing where she was or why? She was surrounded by unfamiliar sounds, not those of the family that left her behind. The notes said she was crated most of the day and at night.

Seeing that in my mind, brought tears to my eyes.

How was I going to manage another hospice dog when I already care for 5? And they're not potty trained.

On top of that, caring for a hospice cat brings even more challenges than people realize.

Fast forward a couple days, and the eye specialist confirmed that she had serious aging, being completely blind in one eye and with very faint long distance vision in the other.

But no glaucoma and no pain. 🙏

To feel her finally relax in my arms at the vet's office brought tears of joy, knowing that she was already starting to feel safe.