Valerie Reid is an exceptional individual who converted her abode into a hospice for senior dogs to guarantee that they do not spend the last moments of their lives in isolation. She is the proprietor of Whispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary, which is situated in Missouri and is a non-profit organization committed to enhancing the welfare of senior dogs that have been deserted or separated from their owners.

Whispering Willows is a haven for elderly dogs in their last days. Unlike typical shelters, we don’t foster or put our pups up for adoption. Instead, they come and stay with our family, living out their final moments in a comfortable and caring environment. As Reid shares with Daily Paws, “We offer them a real home where they can just be themselves.”
Our sanctuary is open to all senior dogs, regardless of how they came to us. Some were abandoned or lost their owners, while others were taken away by the authorities, and some have owners who moved to nursing homes. No matter what brought them to us, we gladly welcome these sweet pooches into our home.

Despite their age, senior dogs have an unyielding enthusiasm for life. According to Reid, the founder of a sanctuary for older canines, what makes these dogs so special is their forgiving nature. She admires how they continue to love and forgive wholeheartedly, despite facing hardships such as abuse, neglect, or the loss of their owner. Reid was inspired to start this sanctuary after her father’s death from cancer. His Doberman pinscher had been his constant companion throughout his illness, but Reid was unable to care for the dog after her father’s passing.

Luckily, after a while, she was able to locate a foster family that offered immense love and care to her dog for an extra year and a half. This incident motivated Reid to assist in providing the same opportunity for other pets and their respective families.