Last month, we had to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Lyle. It was truly difficult because he had been a member of the family for more than 13 years. Our dog came to us via a shelter in Philadelphia. It wasn’t a “no-kill” shelter which means, of course, that it did kill if dogs stayed too long. But on a sunny Saturday in September of 1999, a little black lab mutt with a crooked jaw licked and jumped his way into our hearts and escaped a very different end. We like to think that he lived every day with the exuberance of a dog who somehow knew how lucky we all were to find each other.
That’s why it brings me much joy to introduce our second organization in the 12 Days of Charitable Giving: Muttville.
Muttville is an organization for dogs with a very special twist: it focuses on older dogs. Statistically, older dogs are less likely to be rescued and more likely to be euthanized. Muttville’s mission is to change the way the world thinks about and treats older dogs and to create better lives for them through rescue, foster, adoption, and hospice.
Muttville helps rescue dogs and place them in new homes. Not all of Muttville’s dogs come from shelters. As they share on their site:
A few years ago, for example, Sherri received a phone call about a man who had gone into the hospital with late stage AIDS. He had two old dogs, Artie and Sparky. Nobody could take them. One of his last requests was that the dogs were cared for, but he hadn’t made any plans for them. Sherri took them. Sparky was very old and fragile. Artie was much younger and spunkier. She kept them together until Sparky died and then found a wonderful, loving home for Artie, where he lives now.
The site goes on to say:
There are so many stories like this, stories of dogs that have been in loving homes and have lost their guardians, or dogs who have been neglected most of their lives and are now given a death sentence at a shelter. They deserve to know love before they go – even for a little while. This is our chance to show them kindness.
I think we all agree that the world can use a little more kindness – and our furry friends and family are no exception.
How can you help? If you live in California, you can adopt an older dog from Muttville (check out the adorable dogs waiting to go home here). You can also offer to foster a dog getting ready for a new home or volunteer to help out. No matter where you are, you can buy cute Muttville merchandise and you can make a donation (either cash or something on the wish list).
A search at irs.gov (which I highly recommend any time you are considering making a donation to a charity) reveals that Muttville is on the IRS list of charitable organizations. To find out more about the work of the organization, check out their website.
