While it takes love, patience and compassion to help your newly adopted shelter or rescue dog learn all their manners, there is a special niche that truly takes the most loving and compassionate of hearts; hospice dogs.
Every animal who lives their final days in a shelter instead of in a warm home is denied the gentle, loving dignity they so deeply deserve. Despite the painful goodbye, there’s nothing more rewarding than adopting a hospice dog.
Meet Ice – this handsome 11-12 year old hunk was surrendered to the Town of Babylon Animal Shelter by the family who promised to love him forever. His world was shattered when his family decided they no longer wanted him; leaving this beautiful senior soul in need of a miracle.
One of the worst things that can ever happen is to lose your family, yet every year thousands of dogs are abandoned by their owners and find themselves sad and confused in a kennel; they wonder what they ever did to deserve being locked up behind bars. When a dog was once a treasured family pet, their devastation upon abandonment is nothing short of heartbreaking. Ice now finds himself waiting for something that may never happen simply because people view him as too old.
Ice is a very sweet, calm boy who unfortunately, likely has cancer. He was surrendered with a huge tumor on his testicles making neutering him impossible. He is also currently being treated for some skin issues and is underweight.
It’s heartbreaking to think about all the senior animals who had once been cherished family pets before they found themselves frightened and alone in a shelter. No dog wants to end up homeless, after all, sitting behind bars in a shelter kennel is hardly anyone’s idea of a good time. Tragically, the dogs who wait the longest are often the ones with the least amount of time to waste. This beautiful soul needs a hero immediately, let’s not allow him to spend his last days in the shelter. He deserves so much better than this!
Ice loves people, walks well on leash, is well behaved inside, knows all his commands, and even performs a spin move when he wants a treat. He is dog reactive, but only when up close, and would need to be the only pet in a home. The shelter is recommending households with children ages 10 and up.
Adopting or fostering a hospice dog is to feel your heart swell ten-fold and then potentially shatter a hundred-fold, often too soon – but know that this kind of love and care brings peace to a traumatized animal like Ice, and something someone with a very special heart can do to make a difference.
Precious Ice is more than worth any heartbreak that comes your way. Giving him the happy, peaceful life he deserves will outweigh the sadness you endure. All Ice asks for are the simple things in life, to be loved, a soft bed to lay his head, kick off his leash, relax his paws, and snuggle into a warm cozy bed while watching your favorite TV show or just a quiet moment gazing at the stars.
Ice needs his special human NOW! Won’t you please open your heart to foster or adopt this adorable boy and give him the love and dignity he truly deserves in his golden years.
Consider doing something outside of your comfort zone, something that strips your heart to the bone. Don’t focus on the length of time, but rather on the quality. Hospice foster or adopt Ice, we promise it will change your life!
Babylon Animal Shelter
80 New Highway
Amityville, New York 11701
(631) 643-9270
Be sure to head over to Adoption Central right here on Paws Give Me Purpose, share Ice and all the other Featured Dog Friday pups still in search of their forever homes.