Last week, Old Dog Haven—an incredible nonprofit organization in western Washington that rescues senior dogs who are losing their homes or are already in shelters—posted this “Urgent Need” message to its Facebook page:
“Jasmine is a 14-year-old, 45-pound Shepherd mix. She has lived outside for the past several years, and is now alone most of the time. Her family has moved 40 miles away and only comes back to the property occasionally. A neighbor gives her food and water. Deaf, and a little arthritic, Jasmine is friendly, was housebroken when she lived inside and used to enjoy the dog park. She has a feral cat friend so is probably okay with cats. She has no vet records but seems healthy enough for her age. A Final Refuge (inside) home is sought.”
Yes. You read that right. I think I read it three times, just to be sure, before I started cursing.
ODH cares for the senior dogs it rescues while working to find them their forever family, but what’s even more special is that the organization has built a network of “Final Refuge” foster families who take in the dogs who aren’t suitable for adoption because of advancing health issues. ODH pays for the dogs’ medical care while the volunteers provide them with a loving family and home for the rest of their lives. Currently, 185 dogs are in Final Refuge homes.
After three days of networking, ODH posted this photo last Saturday afternoon along with this message: “Jasmine has gone to her final refuge home today! Thank you to everyone! We didn’t know that he would take her today, but when her new dad saw her living conditions and her sweet nature he took her right home!”
The first image for Jasmine's new family's album. Photo: Old Dog Haven.
Thanks, Jasmine’s new Dad. And thanks, ODH. You can find out more about ODH at its site here and see photos of sweet adoptable seniors and final refuge dogs. ODH posts “Urgent need” notices on its site’s home page as well as on Facebook here.
p.s. Jasmine’s new family includes an older sister—a 16-year-old Lab! You go, Golden Girls!!!
Update: See sweet photos of Jasmine’s new happy life here and here!
Editor’s note: Inspired by Jasmine’s happy ending, which began on a Saturday, DDY will now set aside this day of the week to share animal causes in “Cause It’s Saturday” features.
Caring for Daley in his elderly years inspired me to start Daley's Dog Years. Here you'll find more than 700 posts related to health, wellness, and senior dog lifestyle. 
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It’s really great that there are people who are willing to care for these old dogs. It’s also a shame that people don’t normally adopt old dogs. The puppy craze is just too crazy.
Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks for stopping by, Lavi, and taking the time to comment! Two paws way up to “the puppy craze is just too crazy!”
-Chandra
That makes me sad and mad at the same time! We recently lost our two old girls. The last year of their lives we took turns sleeping with them. We helped them do everything until it was apparent we could do no more. Hopefully, there is a special place in hell for people that could be so cold and cruel!
By the way, I am visiting from the Saturday Blog Hop.
Hi Cheryl,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your two girls. It sounds like you gave them the very best – what more could any of us ask for than to feel secure and loved at the end of our lives? I once heard someone say about a family who abandoned their senior dog – “I hope their family does that same to them in their old age.” Indeed, sometimes you’d love people to have to get a taste of their own medicine, right?!
Thanks for stopping by!
-Chandra
It’s not every day you hear about a pair of large dogs making it to 14 and 16, and still seemingly in relative good health. Amazing that these two have done as well as they have in an abandoned property. I’d say they have 9 lives like the kitty they’ve made friends with!
Hi Carrie,
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment! Don’t you love that Jasmine is now the kid in the family?! I like to imagine Jasmine and her new older sister sitting around in the afternoon sipping tea and eating cookies and gossiping!
-Chandra
Oh, this makes me so mad! As the owner is a senior dog, I cannot understand how people can be so selfish and horrible. But luckily a good family stepped forward to take the gorgeous girl in. I love a happy ending story. Sadly there are hundreds of senior dogs that do not have such a happy ending.
Hi Angie,
When ODH posted Jasmine’s sad situation, I remember one person commented, “Sometimes I’m embarrassed to be a human.” I thought that summed it up pretty well.
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
-Chandra
I’m glad there was a happy ending to this tale. Great idea for your Saturday posts, too. So many times people get caught up in the horrific stories that they forget there’s a world full of good people doing wonderful things every day.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Vicky,
Oh, I couldn’t agree more! It’s so important to not turn away from the sad realities – otherwise they’ll never be change. But it’s also so important to celebrate the happy endings because they also help bring change!
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
-Chandra
This is a fantastic story and such a wonderful organization (we just “liked” them on FB;-) And God Bless Jasmine’s new family! WE are looking forward to following your Cause It’s Saturday posts!
Kelly & Crew
Big Mac, Molly & Moxie
Hi Kelly & Crew,
Thanks so much for the nice comment! Old Dog Haven is indeed amazing – I’m happy you’ll be following their work! ODH and the people who are willing to step up and give seniors the golden years they deserve really are heroes!
-Chandra
You knows it always makes my tail wag to hears another furry one in need has found a furever home. My big brother Charlie was a rescue and he is getting up their in his years too. He is thankful he got his new home with us and is not living alone in a cold garage anymore.
Hi Sasha,
Thanks so much for stopping by – I’m very happy to get your tail waggin’! Charlie sounds like a very cool big brother who is very lucky to have found you and your family! Tell Charlie for us – Seniors rule!
-Chandra
I was so relieved to read that Jasmine found a new home. Shame on her “family” for leaving her behind. What family moves and leaves a member outside to starve? Thank goodness for the neighbor who was willing to give her food and water, even if they couldn’t provide her with a home. Kudos and congrats to her her new dad!