Welcome to the final chapter in This One Wild Life’s series on adopting senior dogs. In Part 1, Georgia, a senior mixed-breed displaced by Hurricane Katrina, travels through the shelter system and survives a grueling Heartworm treatment. In Part 2, Georgia finds a year-long trial home but is returned due to severe separation anxiety. In Part 3, Georgia finally has a foster mother who works on her anxiety issues. In Part 4, Georgia finds a loving forever home with the King family. And now, for the rest of the story…
GEORGIA FINDS ETERNAL PEACE
After such uplifting and happy updates from the King family for months, Barb King wrote the following letter to Tim Clune (formerly of AnimaLovers.org) on May 18, 2010:
Dear Tim,
I am sad to tell you that we had to put our sweet friend Georgia down late yesterday afternoon. She had been having difficulties and stopped eating, so we put her in the hospital for 3 days on IV fluids and antibiotics and then took her home. She continued to decline even as we tried several medications. It became clear that she was not going to recover. …
Mike, Rachel, Jason and I all sat with her in the backyard for quite some time yesterday afternoon, just petting her and talking to her, and then Mike and I took her to the vet. Our Dr. Chico is a very compassionate and gentle man and she was made as comfortable as possible. She went easily and quickly with Mike and I sitting on the floor with her, talking to her and petting her the whole time.
We had her exactly 8 months to the day. God gave us a great gift in her – our son Jason was thrilled to have her and loved her immensely, as did the rest of us.
I would encourage you to still publish the story I wrote for [the 2010.07 AnimaLovers Companion (PDF)] if you want, so that people will see what a wonderful companion they can get if they will consider an older dog who really needs a home. Rest assured, Georgia was well loved and taken care of these last 8 months – she was a treasure to us all.
Those of us who were pulling for Georgia, while devastated by this news, are comforted only by the kindness finally extended to this beautiful girl. There is no doubt that Georgia left this world knowing she was truly loved.
Barb shared more on Georgia’s story during an interview with me. The video, originally more than an hour, is pared down to 6 minutes here. These 6 minutes, after years of working with rescues and fosters, have moved me in ways I never knew were still possible. I hope you’ll watch, if only to see the joy on Barb’s face as she talks about the sweet, sweet Georgia we all loved.
THE END – OR IS IT?
While this series now draws to a close, it appears that a new chapter is about to begin for the Kings. I received this bit of information a few days ago and can’t wait to learn more:
We went to an adoption clinic at Burnt Hills Veterinary Hospital this past Sunday and are planning to adopt a little dog named Scruffers when we get back from camping. He is only about 2 years old, but is special needs – has seizures and takes daily medication.
Of course he does! Because the Kings wouldn’t take on an easy dog. Anybody could do that – and the Kings aren’t just anybody.
Before I had Murphy, I had another golden named Pal. I adopted him when he was 10. I was 18 and had never had a dog before. He seemed very old and I didn't expect to have much time with him…maybe a year. I ended up having a little over 2. It was so hard to lose him, but at the same time, it felt kind of OK. Those 2 years were a bonus for him and for me. For him they were a chance at life as a dog who was spoiled and fawned over, for me they meant a companion through some of the biggest changes in my life. I love my Murphy (he is just over a year and I have had him since he was 8wks), but I often feel anxiety over the smallest changes in behavior and am generally a paranoid dog-owner. I never had that with Pal…just thankfulness that he was around that day. I think that is one of the great things about rescuing a dog… Every day that is good is a gift 🙂
Kira
You've got that right, Kira. Every day IS a gift. Even with young dogs, although we like to think chances are good, there is no guarantee that they will live a long life. We should never, ever take a single moment for granted. I think that rings true with everything in life.
Great posts!
Great story about senior dogs. I own two….and they have a special place in my heart.
Thank you so much for sharing this heart-warming story and journey of Georgia. What a sweet little soul.
My heart goes out to the King family, not only for their loss of Georgia, but also for their willingness to adopt an older dog. What wonderful people.
I adopted my Aspen at age 9. She was so thin I thought she had cancer and couldn't bear the thought of her dying in a shelter. She didn't have cancer, but something else – possibly pancreatitis. She was with me only 1 year, but I like to believe it was her best year. I was laid off about 7 months after I adopted her, so we got to spend our days together going on walks, hanging out on the couch and in the yard. She was the very best behaved dog you could have imagined, and I still miss her to this day (2 years later). Older dogs are some of the best dogs in the world. I am so glad you are bringing attention to adoption of senior dogs through Georgia's story and others.
It sounds like Aspen was as beneficial to your well being as you were to hers. Thanks for sharing your experience. Offering happiness to another living soul is so rewarding. I don't think there is ever a greater gift to give or receive.
Hi,
I found you through the Saturday Blog Hop. I love your blog and am now a follower! I am the owner of a Pomeranian named Koda. If you have time come check out my blog and become a follower – LuckyPups Blog
Thank you!
Thank you for this beautiful tale of Georgia. Special dogs need special families.
Stopping by on the blog hop – Inspiring blog… thank you for sharing the story about Georgia.
Thank you all for following Georgia's story and for commenting on the importance of offering older dogs a chance!
Great Story, Georgia was lucky to have you. You are very special that you opened your heart and home to Georgia.