Hospice Care

Intake November 2025

Marty Party is now looking for his final landing spot in life. Over a month ago we rescued this broken down soul from the euthanasia list. His desperate soft cries were heard as one of our volunteers walked through the countless isles of abandoned dogs. He was near death with his body condition and we were unsure what was going on. His bloodwork was completely normal, so his body weight was baffling. At first glance we thought it was starvation, but his inability to gain was troublesome. Come to find out his body wasn’t breaking down proteins properly, causing him not to absorb his nutrients. We have since corrected this issue with a hydrolyzed diet and he has gained 8lbs so far. Marty would like nothing more than to ring in the New Year with someone to love him until the end of his time!

All in all, Marty is a fantastic senior dog. His favorite pastime is snoozing on the couch. He wants nothing more than to curl up with a soft blanket and catch some zzz’s. He enjoys the company of his canine friends, but should only be placed with others who wouldn’t knock him over or be too rough. He’s a gentle giant and greets everyone with a gentle, calm demeanor, and a slowly paced wagging tail.

Some may ask why would I adopt a dog who’s at the end of their life??? It’s certainly not for everyone. We know Marty must have been loved at some point in his life, he was neutered and housebroken when found. He has obviously lived with some extreme neglect though. His crumpled ears show years of untreated infections. His xrays prove he had been shot with many bullets. His poor body condition at arrival revealed a GI issue that was left untreated for a very long time. Despite all this, he continues to show us no matter what life gives you, moving forward with love in your heart is the answer

Intake August 2025

Ferris had a sad story. Though it was clear he was once loved, he ended up lost and wandering the streets a stray. Though he had a microchip and the shelter did due diligence to try to find him his home, they were given the run around. Ferris was left dejected, sad, and heartbroken. To be blunt, he had a lot of issues and was a bit of a wreck, but we just had to give him a chance. The second we took him out the door, he was booking it! We named him Ferris Bueller after seeing his carefree attitude and charismatic smile.

Bueller’s list of issues was extensive- he had Cushing’s, dental disease, arthritis, elbow dysplasia, extremely elevated liver enzymes, skin issues, a white blood count that elevated with no known source, and an eye ulcer. We tried tackling his issues one at a time and he became comfortable in his foster home. However, there was no overall improvement. We deemed him hospice so he could live comfortably, surrounded by love.

Truthfully, Bueller was the coolest little dude you’d ever meet. He wasn’t bothered by most things and had a great demeanor. He was as well mannered as you’d want a house pet to be, which is why it’s so sad he was abandoned in the way he was. He only barked to go outside to potty or if he wanted a snack (or some scraps from your plate!). In the end, he was plagged with eye issues and his mobility had taken a dive. We were caught at a crossroads with no clear outcome and we opted to prioritize his ultimate comfort rather than letting him go downhill and live in pain.

Ferris Bueller was loved by everyone who met him and we will miss him terribly.

Intake January 2025

We took in Franklin after he was found living outside in 0° weather under a trailer. He was in rough shape when we got him- labored breathing, cold, dirty, and completely dejected. Although he seemed to have had some improvement a few weeks after taking him in, it appeared his heart is in pretty bad shape. It was enlarged, possibly just from the heartworm disease or failure. Poor guy has just been neglected for too long. After a lot of debate, we opted to do heartworm treatment for him. He was a champ throughout his treatment, vetting and cardiology visits.

Franklin had been doing fairly well post heartworm treatment until just recently. His foster family had noticed some blood swipes throughout the home, but weren’t able to figure out where it was coming from. It was determined that it was from his mouth- he had a bleeding oral mass. Due to Frank’s weak heart, high blood pressure and damaged lungs he was not a candidate for any anesthetic procedures. We kindly let Frank go after much consideration of what was best for him. We felt he was in pain and suspected a cancerous process.

Franklin LOVED his food & snacks. He was so grateful to have the basics in life such as treats, regular meals and a warm place to sleep. We always enjoyed his company- he was a very sweet ol guy, quite accepting of everything around him. He made us laugh, since all he really cared about is the next treat. He would stare you down just in case you may be willing to give him one at any minute.

We will always remember you, Franklin

Intake September 2024

In September 2024, we rescued this iconic little guy from the shelter. He was found in pretty dire condition, matted, crawling with fleas, severe dental disease, but despite all that he has a winning demeanor. We named him Mr. Muffins and he joined his foster mom’s rag-tag group of fools where he quickly became the star!

Mr. Muffins ended up getting nearly all his teeth removed due to horrific dental disease and when we biopsied his anal sac mass, it came back as adenocarcinoma- cancer. We had his mass removed, but in February, it came back with a full force. You never would have known it because he was always in a good mood and seemed to have been feeling fine, but that was just the kind of dog he was. We deemed him hospice and his routine became full of supplements, homemade diets of fresh food, medicinal mushrooms, and a lot of love.

Mr. Muffins showed true resilience, despite his circumstances. He lived each date to the fullest, offering love, laughs, and devotion, only asking for snacks in return. Muffins was a one-of-a-kind superstar guy, with a comical personality that brought a smile to his foster mom’s face every day. Even when he acted out, there was no staying mad at Muffins- he was just that kind of dog! His foster mom just cherished him. She gave him everything she could, including homemade food, fancy beds, and, of course, goofy haircuts.

He passed in November 2025. It’s always hard to say goodbye to a cherished pet, but it’s even harder when they still bring a smile to your face despite everything. Mr. Muffins’ unwavering spirit was admirable and he was truly like an angel on earth. Shine up there in heaven like the star you are.

Intake March 2023

We had taken in Buddy  from a senior man who was taken away by ambulance never to see his dogs again.  We also took in his siblings, Jackson and Miss Mikki Minaj, who have both been adopted. In the time we have had him it has become very clear that Buddy has severe epilepsy. We have him on several meds to help minimize the frequency.  Buddy had to be the sweetest, most gentle Cocker Spaniel.

Over time we got control of his seizures, but his heart & liver started to fail. He also struggled with pancreatitis. He lived his final time with a foster family with the biggest hearts. They gave him everything he needed and offered him great comfort. He was so happy.

In late May 2025, Buddy got ill and we could no longer find a quality of life for him. He left this world with his doting foster family by his side. All we can say is THANK YOU for continually opening your hearts & home to dogs like Buddy. It takes special, selfless people to do what you do. We are blessed to have such kind hearted people within our rescue to be able to offer hospice dog love until the end of their time here.

RIP Buddy.. We all loved you ❤️🌈🕊️😥

Intake October 2024

We had quite the hike to rescue this lost old girl that we named Astrid. She was a supposed stray found north of Saginaw, left outside with the cold months coming on. She was emaciated and in pretty poor condition with skin infections. We can’t imagine this lady could make it too far, so where she came from we will probably never know.

We did work ups & medical exams, while there wasn’t an obvious death sentence she was extremely elderly with severe mobility issues. We knew her time wouldn’t be far down the road. She was quite arthritic & her cognitive was slow. Still, Astrid won us all over because she was a really kind old girl, calm, well behaved and sweet. She loved mealtime & sleeping and we wanted her to be happy and comfortable for the remainder of her life!

We were so happy to unite Astrid with a loving hospice home so she can spend her remaining days knowing she is loved!

Intake January 2023

Winnie lived most of her life outside until we stepped in. She was going blind & deaf, was extremely obese, and was in rough shape, being 15-years old when we rescued her. An 86 yr old man was her owner and did love her, but the neglect really shows. He could hardly care for himself let alone his dogs, Winnie & Jack. Jack was younger and we successfully found him a forever home but Winnie was a special case. Within her time with us, she showed improvements in some areas- such as losing weight and mobility- but struggled in others. It became clear that Winnie was a hospice case for us- we were just looking to give Winnie her best life for whatever time she has left.

And boy did we! Our volunteers did everything possible to enrich Winnie’s life and give her the most joy while we could. Her favorite things were the companionship of other dogs and, of course, FOOD! We provided her with other senior dogs who loved lounging around with her- Winnie would cuddle right up to them. We cooked her homemade meals to appropriately compliment her prescription diet and provided her a medley of supplements to help her keep chugging along. She also loved her daily walks outside and our volunteers were filled with so much joy when she got her spurts of energy and would run in her large, fenced in area.

Sadly, it was in July of 2024 that Winnie left us. Hospice fostering is so difficult when you have to say goodbye. But nothing brings you more comfort than knowing that you turned around the life of a dog in need at the end of their life and provided them with comfort, love, and a home.

We will never forget you, Winnie.

Intake October 2024

Found as a stray on the streets of Flint, it’s pretty apparent this old gal has been neglected & abused for awhile. In normal fashion for our rescue she comes with a hefty list of medical issues, such as mammary tumors, heartworm disease, arthritis, urine staining, etc. She will pancake to the ground when she is pet & scream if she feels threatened, these are common signs of physical abuse. Even though so many things are wrong she still deserves love & care until the end of her time.

In addressing her medical issues it became apparent she was a hospice case. Along came this wonderful mother/daughter duo to save the day. It was love at first sight. Even though they were supposed to be hospice fostering, they decided to call Susan their own. They vowed in whatever time she has left, she will know what it feels like to be greatly loved.

This right here is proof that no matter how defeated you may feel, there is always someone who can show you love!

Intake August 2024

Miss Cupcake was found as a stray with a massive tumor on her abdomen. Her biopsy proved it to be mammary cancer, but we still decided to try & make whatever time she has left joyful. Our lovely friends at the local shelter fought hard to remove the big tumor to give her some sort of quality & comfort. We are thankful to them!

We are so grateful to have found her a hospice home where she can relax comfortably for whatever time she has left!

Intake July 2021

Cherry was dumped, unkept, half-bald, stinky, and ending up waiting for her demise. Her foster mother provided her with basic medical care, a specialized diet, and love which transformed her into one of the most beautiful labs you’ve ever seen! Unfortunately, shortly after we rescued her, we discovered that she has three cancerous masses in her lungs. Cherry’s foster mom looked her in the eyes and promised her “I’ll be your mom until the very end”.

Cherry wanted nothing more than to be loved. She was incredibly affectionate, loving, and had a beautiful soul. We were blessed to have her with us when we did.

Intake December 2021

Bob Ross was a pretty miraculous guy. Despite being abandoned, deaf, blind, and in liver failure, Bob Ross always kept his spark! He had a lot of sass, especially during his Freedom Ride from the shelter to his Hospice Foster home. Amazingly, he figured out the layout of his new home quickly and acclimated to the house routines with ease. Bob Ross was a family man with a house full of doggy siblings and a loving mother who adored him.

Bob Ross was resilient, sweet, and full of pertinacity. He will be missed dearly but we are so grateful for the full life he was able to live.

Intake October 2023

Coraline was rescued in early October when she was found wandering alone on the streets of Detroit. Upon arrival she was a shell of a dog, almost zombie-like. We thought things would improve for her once she knew she was safe, but it was very apparent in time that severe damage was done. She was extremely dejected, and never seem to turn a corner. On top of that, she had many health problems, including mammory tumors, dental disease, a heart condition, mobility & neurological ailments, and her vision and hearing was failing as well. Coraline’s lack of trust in people was very apparent and she was very hard to handle. We tried our best to erase probably a lifetime of abuse, but it wasn’t possible. Coraline lived the last few months of her life with comfortable beds, good food, pain meds and a caregiver who loved her despite how hard it was to love her.

We will continue to save dogs like Coraline, even though it’s devastating. Every dog, even the broken ones deserve to feel kindness in their lives.

RIP Coraline, your life mattered

Intake March 2021

Gracie & Elizabeth were two charming ladies that left a huge impact on us all. Once very loved by their senior owner, they were discarded by family after she could no longer remember them due to dementia. These golden girls were the sweetest things and definitely didn’t deserve this in the end stages of their lives.

Unfortunately, as it comes with age, they both had health issues. Elizabeth had kidney disease & was deaf. Gracie had a cancerous mass in her nose that was inoperable. The two also suffered pneumonia at a point and we had to nurse them back to health. These issues never stopped them from bringing their caregivers joy and sunshine every day! Elizabeth was charismatic, spunky, and full of joy. Gracie brought so much joy to our lives with her demanding, enthusiastic personality.

The two were incredibly bonded, nearly inseparable. Unfortunately, in August 2021, we lost Gracie as her cancer had progressed to a point where she was no longer able to have a quality of life. Elizabeth found comfort and love in her foster family until we had to say goodbye in late December 2021.

We never could have been able to provide these girls with such wonderful lives without the support of our community, as we had raised hundreds of dollars to ensure they could live the rest of their days in comfort and happiness. They are reunited now over the rainbow bridge!

Intake October 2019

Richard was an extremely special dog. He came to us from a bad situation in October 2019, at three years old he had only ever been kept in an outside kennel. He was disabled with many medical conditions, including hip dysplasia, flat feet, an enlarged heart, and more. It was his heart that finally gave out and Richard passed peacefully at only 6 years old.

Anyone who ever knew Richard knew what a zest for life this extraordinarily happy dog had. He had the biggest heart of gold. Richard loved everyone & everything, nothing ever seemed to break his spirit. He touched many peoples lives in many ways. We will never forget what you have taught us Richard… Despite what happens to you in life or what challenges you must face, keep you’re head held high & appreciate everyday! We love you sweet boy & will never forget all your goofiness & charm. Fly high Richard!

Intake July 2022

We rescued sweet Marge from Detroit. She was in absolute horrific condition, basically dying before our eyes. It was painful to see her in such state of despair. Marge had a rough road. She had severe pneumonia, pyometra, and a heart condition. After conquering that, Marge’s severe dental disease needed to be addressed with a dental surgery, however her mandible was fractured and a few days after her gum tissue went necrotic.

Ultimately, multiple surgeries could not correct the neglect she endured. Her little body just could not fight any longer. We are sorry someone neglected you so badly Marge. We truly loved you when no one else did.

Rescuing dogs that have been so severely mistreated is hard on so many levels. We will never forget the day we came to her rescue & will continue to fight for her happiness.

Intake January 2024

Fuzz had a lot stacked against him at this point. He was found on the streets of Detroit in deplorable condition & going to be euthanized at a local shelter. We knew what we getting into pulling him from the shelter, but we just wanted to give him a fighting chance! Fuzz had a cancerous oral mass and was heartworm positive.

Unfortunately, there were too many cards stacked against him.

Over his time with us, Fuzz had greatly enjoyed all his new toys, gourmet meals and time he felt loved. We cannot imagine what an awful life this poor little guy endured, but remained by his side until the end. We will have to move forward to get through the pain of our loss with remembering, he didn’t die alone in a shelter just being another number, people who care are grieving his death and he had a chance to feel love & comfort for once in his young life. He didn’t pass with fear, starvation, or loneliness.

Sometimes all you can do will all the sadness you experience as an animal rescuer is remember what you provided, not what you could not.

Intake June 2024

Sunny may have been our youngest hospice dog at only 2 years old.

Poor Sunshine suffered his whole life with a condition known as PLE. At the time of his intake, all we knew was that he had severe GI upset that resulted in vomiting, diarrhea, and an aversion to food. We have successfully saved multiple dogs with these conditions and were determined to discover and solve Sunny’s problems. We exhausted every resource we could, documenting thoroughly his feeding patterns, bowel movements, trying different diets from hydrolyzed to homecooked whole-foods. We sought out doctors, did tests, ultrasounds and a GI biopsy to get to the root of his problem. When we came up with the complicated diagnosis of PLE, we found a specialist doing a study on the disease. Ultimately, it was a case that could not be solved.

Sunny had joy in his life- he loved his toys, especially squeaky ones. He savored his time outdoors in the summer, smelling every flower, rolling around in freshly cut grass, and feeling the wind blow through his fur. He found great comfort in his caretakers, who loved him deeply and did everything to express that every day so he knew.

Letting go was so difficult, but Sunny’s quality of life was deminished because of his horrible condition, PLE. It is not fair that the joy he had was only in spurts. It is not fair he had more bad days than good. But we find comfort in the fact that he was so deeply loved by all around him and that he was given that fighting chance.

We will never forget you, Sunny.