"Dogs Deserve Better is a nonprofit organization dedicated to becoming a voice for dogs living chained and penned outside. We are a voice for these who have none, whose sadness speaks only through their eyes. As the days become years, these dogs sit, stay, defecate, and, if among the fortunate, eat within a 10-foot radius. Chained by the neck, they have nothing in the way of respect, love, exercise, social interaction with people and other dogs, and sometimes even basic nourishment. They live as prisoners, yet long to be pets. Would you for one second choose to live the life of these dogs? Chaining dogs to the nearest tree may have once been considered acceptable, but today we know that dogs are highly social creatures. It is not acceptable anymore, it is not OK, and we must work together to UNaccept it. Dogs must not live a life chained/penned as prisoners, yearning for a place in a family, craving acknowledgement, respect, and love. They DESERVE BETTER! And we have the obligation as caretakers to provide it for them. Within the past century, the development of mankind has exploded technologically, economically, and morally. And yet we are still accepting of basic indignities toward those described as our 'best friends.' We as a people are evolving toward a more spiritual life, and our treatment of these dogs must evolve as well."

The Senior Dogs Project encourages you to visit the Dogs Deserve Better website for information on how you might become involved in raising awareness of this topic in your community and helping this cause.

"Dogs' and cats' immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a modified live virus (MLV) vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it produces immunity, which is good for the life of the pet (i.e., canine distemper, parvo, feline distemper). If another MLV vaccine is given a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize the antigens of the second vaccine and there is little or no effect. The titer is not 'boosted' nor are more memory cells induced.

"Not only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines. Puppies receive antibodies through their mother's milk. This natural protection can last 8-14 weeks. Puppies and kittens should NOT be vaccinated at LESS than 8 weeks. Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and little protection (0-38%) will be produced. Vaccination at 6 weeks will, however, delay the timing of the first highly effective vaccine. Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart suppress rather than stimulate the immune system. A series of vaccinations is given starting at 8 weeks and given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16 weeks of age. Another vaccination given sometime after 6 months of age (usually at 1 year 4 months) will provide lifetime immunity."

Here's the ad we ran for George, when we learned he was in danger of being euthanized:

Leitchfield, KY -- Gentle, Quiet, Sad George -- Just about Out of Time!!

March 2003 -- Shepherd/Beagle mix George is a gentle, quiet dog who sits sadly in his kennel waiting for adoption. He has a VERY short time before he will be put to sleep. Only 5 - 7 years old, he has many loving years to give to a family. New puppies have come into the shelter in the last two days, leaving little extra room for George. It is certain he will be euthanized, if no one adopts him now. Grayson County Humane Society/SPCA. E-mail: GraysonSPCA@aol.com More info on the Petfinder site.

Adoption Report: We kept all fingers and paws crossed for George, and it must have worked, because we received the following E-mail message on April 2, 2003:

"I wanted to let you know that I am in the process of adopting George, the Shepherd/Beagle boy in Leitchfield, KY. When I saw his story on the homepage of the website, I couldn't resist contacting Tammy, who runs the Grayson County SPCA, about him. I can't thank Tammy enough for going the extra mile for George in terms of helping me plan his relocation. George will be relocating to his new home with me in Oklahoma, where my family is excited about welcoming him! We expect him to fly in (literally) this coming weekend. Thanks very much for putting his story on the website. Another success! Regards, Martha Moore"

"Mersadie and Merette, the two elderly standard poodles from Boise, Idaho, have been adopted. They went to live in their new forever home thanks to this Senior Dogs web site. Thank you so much for your all your help and making their last years wonderful. Teresa Lagoski, Standard Poodle Society."

From a message received in January 2003:

"Stevie can be removed from your site :). I adopted Stevie after finding him on your site back in November. I was looking for a senior dog that would be good with cats and another dog. He had been fostered out from the county shelter he was in. The foster group was Hill Haven Animal Sanctuary, run by a very sweet, kind woman named Leisha Swiger. After e-mailing Leisha back and forth about Stevie, we set a date and I drove to Morgantown, WV, from Baltimore, MD, to meet Stevie and adopt him. He seemed like he'd fit right in with my household of one other rescued dog and five cats.

"He's wonderful! Sweet as can be, very good with other animals. He loves meeting people and other dogs on our walks. The other rescued dog is a deaf Chihuahua named Asta. Stevie defers to Asta and lets her be in charge, but at the same time is protective of her and often checks her while she's sleeping to make sure she's okay. One of the cats follows him around and sleeps with him as well :). Stevie is indeed blind -- he can perhaps see light and dark, but other than that I don't think he can see anything else. His hearing is actually fine but if there is a lot of background noise, he gets scared and confused. I think that may be why the shelter staff thought he was hard of hearing. Two pics of him attached. Many thanks to Marion County Humane Soc for fostering him out and to Hill Haven for adopting him to me! Darlene Veverka"

Almost Home Dachshund Rescue has just inaugurated a special section of their website for senior Dachshunds in need of new homes. They're featuring The Senior Dogs Project's "Top 10 Reasons" to adopt an older dog. We are delighted!

The Dog Rescue Pages

Give Us a Home

Another of our helpful contacts in Great Britain, Ruth Mayer, has named and commented on the following organizations:

National Canine Defence League The site has a re-homing page, and although they do not advertise their scheme for re-homing elderly dogs, it does exist.

National Animal Welfare Trust This organization has a site called Animal Aid for the Elderly.

In Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, the Wood Green Animal Shelters are a good resource.