The Story Of Doris- Saving Seniors

Three months after being abandoned, Doris is healthy, happy and living the life every old dog deserves. 

The story of Doris begins in the very worst way possible for an old dog. After many years of loyalty as someone’s family pet, this senior girl was relinquished to a high kill shelter by the very people who had raised her. Amid a cacophony of barking and yelping, Doris, confused, depressed and in need of some basic medical care lay on the cement floor, barely able to get up. 

Reduced to a number, A5035722 went from the home she'd lived in for 14 years to cage D520.

As a rescue group whose mission is to get sweet family dogs out of shelters and into good homes, these are the stories that are the most difficult to comprehend. For those of us who think of a dog as part of the family, the thought of abandoning a senior is unfathomable. We don’t always know what causes people to make such choices, but we do know what we can do about it. When Thrive’s founding board member Georgia Spogli saw her on the shelter's website, she drove there and saved her. “I have always had such a thing for the seniors” said Georgia. “If we have the resources to help them, it’s imperative that we do so.”

As with virtually every old dog we've saved, Doris adapted quickly to a having a routine, being back in a home and taking on a matriarchal role at Thrive.

Last week we received an application for Doris from a family who was a perfect fit for the sweet senior girl who had won our hearts. Kathleen and Adam Gelcich welcomed Doris into their home on Sunday as part of Thrive's Forever Foster program. Doris will live out her golden years among two Golden Retrievers along with a 19 month-old human sister to love her forever.

Welcome to your golden years Miss Doris.

I adopted your dog today… the one you left at the pound; The one you had for ten years and no longer wanted around.
I adopted your dog today… did you know she’s lost weight? She’s scared and depressed and lost all of her faith.
I adopted your dog today… she had fleas and a cold; Guess you don’t care what shape she’s in — you abandoned her because she is old.
I adopted your dog today… were you having a baby or moving away? Did you suddenly develop allergies, was there no way she could stay?
I adopted your dog today… she doesn’t play or eat much; she’s sad inside, it’ll take time to trust.
I adopted your dog today… and here she will stay; She’s found her FOREVER HOME and a warm bed to lay.
I adopted your dog today… we'll give her all she will need — patience, love, and security, so she forgets your bad deed. ~Author Unknown

IF YOU'D LIKE TO DONATE TO OUR FOREVER FOSTER PROGRAM CLICK->HERE<-