Floyd comes to JJH from a local humane society that took him in as a stray after he was found staggering around and emaciated. Sadly Floyd's owner never chose to claim him and it was obvious this poor old soul was utterly abandoned. The humane society staff immediately fell in love with this poor broken old guy and named him Floyd. Once Floyd's stray period was up they reached out to JJH for placement. Poor Floyd had suffered so much, barely able to move about, so weak, thin, and confused. The first few days with us it took all his strength just to finish his food. Then one day Floyd simply started coming out of his shell. He stumbled out of the quiet office where he had been staying and trotted over to a nearby bed under a counter. And that was justthe beginning. Floyd was no longer a stiff zombie staggering around. Yes his body was still strcken with severe arthritis and his mind struggled with dementia but his body was no longer painful with every step. It now had energy to move about and explore; make new friends. Floyd has been a great addition to the sanctuary and everyone has loved seeing his comical personality come out. Floyd may move a bit slow but he knows what he wants and isn't afraid to ask for it. Floyd is finding his way at the sanctuary and it has been our pleasure to help him find happiness and comfort in his senior journey.

Gizmo is estimated to be 12 years old and a small terrier mix. He came to us from Richland Area Rescue where he was with an emergency foster due to the passing of his owner. Good Samaritans contacted Jane’s Journey Home to see if we would have room for him. Once we learned that Gizmo was doing well with other dogs but had some medical concerns, we chose to take him in with us. Gizmo had a large mass located in his rectum that was causing a lot of pain and distress for him so the team made sure to have him seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible to help determine his true medical needs. They were able to have the mass removed and Gizmo so far has progressed well with little concerns. He is a tiny guy under 10lbs that enjoys snuggling with anyone who will take him and is often in your lap before you can sit down. He loves attention from anyone and will do somersaults on the couch in exchange for full body pets. Gizmo is another one of our seniors that came to us with severe dental disease and in need of multiple extractions to make his mouth pain free and healthy again. He also has a heart murmur that is very likely caused by the years of untreated dental disease getting into his bloodstream. An echocardiogram gave us the information that we needed and an all clear from the vet to proceed with anesthesia and his overdue dental work. Gizmo loves our bigger dogs and can often be found curled up alongside one of them. He will spend the rest of his days in comfort and safety with us.

Murphy is a 13 year old terrier mix with a solid, outgoing personality. Murphy’s owner went into hospice care and there was nowhere for him to go. So Murphy was passed around every couple of weeks from house to house until he landed safely at the caring home of a shelter facilitator. This kind woman recognized Murphy’s need for a stable environment and reached out to JJH to take him in. It is obvious that Murphy was very loved and cared for by his owner. He received regular veterinary care and was taught basic commands. Murphy does have epilepsy and a sensitive stomach. His seizure disorder is well regulated with a twice daily medication and has been for a number of years. His GI system is now well regulated with a simple prescription diet. We know that as he ages his seizures may worsen or become more frequent but today he is stable and happy. Murphy loves food and can be a bit of a shark when it comes around to treat time but he always behaves when you tell him to wait even though waiting for food seems like the hardest task in the world to him. He has a bit of energy still in his elderly years and often tries to get the other dogs to play with him. Not all of them are interested in that “puppy play” but Murphy doesn’t seem to mind because there is always a nice volunteer nearby that is happy to oblige him. UPDATE 12/17/24 Murphy is feeling the frustration of a food trial Because of his digestive issues Murphy needed a bland diet so we put him on one. That helped but not enough so we switched him to a low residual fat diet. Digestive problems well managed, HURRAY! But of course then his skin flared up so badly he was pink all over and terribly itchy! Sooooo we went even blander with hypoallergenic. It was great for our spunky little Murph for a while but one day he just said he was fed up! Even different brands couldn't fool him. He wanted flavor! We can't blame him. Afterall, who wants to eat the BRAT diet for the rest of their lives??? Today we are on to a different hypoallergenic prescription with select proteins. Salmon doesn't seem to be his favorite either but hopefully we will find a solution soon that not only helps his body stay healthy but his appetite too. Murphy's struggles are real and we see it in his eyes. Sometimes it has felt like the deck is stacked against our little food hound as diagnosis after diagnosis and continued irregular bloodwork. Through it all, epilepsy, cushings disease, liver disease, pancreatitis, a possible auto immune disease, food allergies, and now thyroid disease, Murphy has been a trooper and getting the fullest amount of enjoyment out of each and every day. He is a true inspiration to us all. UPDATE 12/26/14 Senior sanctuaries are few and far between but one of our favorites across the country recently said it best when they wrote, "Hospice doesn’t stop, not for the holidays, not for anything. Love doesn’t pause, not here at the sanctuary." Working in animal welfare is a 24/7, 365 days a year commitment. We celebrate the holidays and smile with family and friends because we know that the gift of companionship is precious and we never know how many Christmases or Thanksgivings we will have together. This Christmas Eve, amidst the twinkling lights and anticipation of a magical morning, we were here at the sanctuary with Murphy. And on Christmas morning, while the world was celebrating joy, we gave the gift of freedom to his cherished soul. After a night in likely addisonian crisis we made the heart wrenching choice to say goodbye. Despite our best efforts Murphy's little body told us he no longer had any fight left in him from his conflicting diseases. Epilipsy, Pancreatitis, Cushings, Thyroid Disease, Autoimmune, Allergies; these were all things we struggled to diagnose and manage with Murphy for a year and a half. Murphy was an exuberant food hound during his time at the sanctuary. He came to the sanctuary after being passed around from person to person, no one ever truly wanting the little terrier. He challenged our medical team with conflicting conditions that made managing his care a constant, careful, process. But Murphy thrived at the sanctuary. His larger-than-life personality and insatiable drive for food kept everyone on their toes and laughter bouncing off the walls of the sanctuary. Murphy also had an instinct only God could understand of his fellow senior canines. As we approached our goodbyes with so many residents at the sanctuary, Murphy was by their sides constantly providing comfort during their final hours, sometimes laying on top of them to provide reassurance that only a peer could. We know Murphy will be dearly missed by all of us as. It is often the most challenging companions that touch our hearts the deepest. The sudden loss of one of our seniors is never easy for any of us here at the sanctuary but knowing that he was surrounded by love and compassion daily by all of you brings us peace. In his final moments we help him tight. He felt no fear, no hunger, only love. Murphy taught us patience and creativity and the drive to never give up when things become complicated. His love made all our efforts worth the time over and over again. If there are angels, Murphy is surely one of them. His journey is a testament to the resilience of our canine companions and the enormous love their souls are capable of. Rest easy dear Murph. Peace be with you at last.

Java is a quiet, gentle 15+ soul who has already endured more heartache than any dog should. This magnificent Husky lost the one person who meant everything to him, his elderly owner, who showered him with love and care for many years. Java's story is one we hear about all too often. As his owner's health declined, unfortunately so did the care of dear Java. His living quarters became dirty and he wasn't fed a proper diet for some time causing a skin infection and severe hair loss. Luckily for Java and his owner, they had caring family and a support network to help step in before the situation became dire. They stepped in to get Java the medical care he needed and made sure that he was fed more nutritious food every day. Too many times this is not the case. And what a blessing this was for both Java and his owner. Java had a job to do and that was to be by his beloved owner's side, providing comfort and stability for as long as possible. After Java's owner passed he needed a new purpose and that’s how he found his way to us at Jane's Journey Home for Dogs. Java is not just grieving; he’s in pain from weak arthritic hips. He is confused and unsure what to do with himself after all this time. Yet, even in his lonliness and grief he still wags his tail when he hears his name and stiffly gets up to greet us as if to say, “I’m still here. I still have hope.” Despite all of the recent changes Java has been through he is relaxed and his heart is wide open. He craves connection and love. And that’s what we’re here to give him. Java receives an injectable medication to ease the pain in his 16 year old hips and we've added a daily pain reliever to make him more comfortable. We’re working hard to ease his grief and provide him the comfort he deserves and a new purpose in this chapter of his life. Java's strength in the face of loss and pain is inspiring. Even though his world has been turned upside-down, his spirit shines so brightly. He reminds us every day that love is powerful enough to heal even the deepest wounds. UPDATE 12/10/24 Java came to the sanctuary in October after the death of his elderly owner. His sad story is one we hear about all too often. As his owner's health declined, unfortunately so did the care of dear Java along with his health. After losing the one person who meant everything to him Java was also struck with a deep depression. And yet our stoic husky never complained. Java's extended family was unable to provide a calm environment for him and so they reached out to us. Java adjusted slowly to life at the sanctuary. His previous family generously donated a large pen so that he could have an extra large personal space while learning to make friends with the other grey faces that call JJH home. He thoroughly enjoyed trotting during his many walks with volunteers throughout the day and especially liked spending relaxing time lounging in the yard soaking up the sun or a cool breeze. We celebrated the first night he chose to lay on an orthopedic bed and again when we found a food that he would eat more often than not. As we got to know our big husky it became apparent that he did not want to fully integrate into the pack. Years of solitude were not the only cause. Java showed signs of increased abdominal discomfort. Adjustments were made to Java's daily medications, which helped for a short time. Ultimately, we decided to stop Java's integration process and give him a more quiet and private space in our Executive Director's office. Here Java could rest comfortably away from the other dogs and still feel the companionship of people throughout the day. In spite of these changes Java's appetite continued to decline. Last Thursday we sent Java for an abdominal ultrasound. There is no easy way to describe the devastating results of this test. Java's body was riddled with terminal cancer. The right lobe of his liver, gall bladder, pancreas, part of his stomach, and any fat touching his liver was inflamed and irregular. The walls of Java's colin was also irregular and thickened. This poor boy's entire right side of his body was infected with cancer and it was now obvious he had been suffering from it for quite some time, possibly years. We immediately placed Java on hospice medications to help keep him as comfortable as possible. There is nothing more that we can do for our stoic husky. Java has lived a very long and happy life. He has been deeply loved by many. We have made the difficult decision to say goodbye to Java. Java will return to his former home and spend his remaining couple of days this week in the home he knows best surrounded by the people that have known him the longest. Bringing him full circle is the most compassionate and dignified thing we can think of for Java's final time on earth. We believe that going home will bring Java some extra comfort in the days that he has left and provide him with the dignity.

Dixie is a 15+ pomeranian mix with dementia. Think Floyd but with more hair! Dixie has lived the majority of her life with a loving owner. However due to her progressing dementia, decreased vision, and stiffness caused by arthritis Dixie was struggling in her long time home. Her owners made many adjustments but ultimately were no longer able to give Dixie the safest space and the attention she deserved. She is adjusting well to the sanctuary and already loves spending time in the yard or on walks with volunteers throughout the day. Nov. 12. Today we say farewell to our precious Dixie. One of the sweetest canine souls we have ever encountered. To say that this goodbye will be difficult for many of us is an understatement. Dixie came to the sanctuary in April. It was obvious from the start that she had severe cognitive issues and startled easily due to poor sight. She was also plagued by dental disease and had difficulty maintaining her weight. As always, our dedicated team of staff and volunteers approached her care with steadfast patience. We wanted to make sure that the decisions we made for Dixie not only allowed her to continue to live a purposeful senior life but that she could still find enjoyment in daily activities. And she has for many months. Dixie's likely brain tumor has slowly progressed and we have come to terms with the fact that the petite fluffy dog we treasure is no longer there. Her basic instincts are the only things that drive her now; simply to eat and pace. She does not respond to the things she loves in life anymore. We always say that it is better to say goodbye before a catastrophic event than to wait even one moment after. Our mission to provide seniors a dignified life filled with unconditional love and the same in death is why we are here. Dixie has been an angel circling among us this year. She has helped us grow in patience and acceptance. She has forced us to take deep breaths for ourselves and sit quietly in peaceful reflection. Senior dogs like Dixie have a way of opening our hearts and making us better human beings. It is with the deepest of love that we help Dixie on through her journey. She will forever be in our hearts.❤️

Ruby experienced one of the most emotionally difficult situations any living thing could go through. Her owner passed away and it was unknown how many days Ruby was in the house before she was discovered. We can hardly bear to imagine the trauma, loneliness, and uncertainty she must have experienced. She arrived at the sanctuary weighing just 42 pounds, her skin stretched tightly over her skeleton with a softball sized mass on her hip. But we were optimistic. Ruby had a fiercely loving soul that begged to give kisses and play. She loved splashing in her water dish. As we got to know Ruby this past month we saw her blossom and gain much of her strength back. She wanted every dog in the sanctuary to be her playmate. At 13 years old her drive to be herself was so strong and we basked in her lovely energy and found more time ourselves to play. But Ruby was not long for this world. We initially thought that she might have a urinary tract infection and our plan was to treat it and then move on to a dental and the removal of her mass. But an ultrasound revealed the worst kind of news. Ruby had a tumor taking up over 2/3 of her bladder. It was likely the same type of cancer her hip mass was made of which meant that it was rapidly spreading throughout her body. Ruby deserved a chance at peace and security again. And that is what we gave her. We couldn't give her time but we could give her all the water bowls she wanted to splash in and companions that would never leave her alone again. For a month we had this beautiful dog full of life with us and we are so very lucky that we had that opportunity. Last week we looked into Ruby's eyes and knew something had changed. She became increasingly agitated throughout the week and in spite of providing her with additional comfort care medicines and a secluded space to decompress in when she needed it, her restlessness grew stronger and we knew there was nothing more we could do for Ruby. We did not have much time to prepare but Ruby always preferred to do things on her own terms and so we trusted what she was telling us; that things weren't right. We said goodbye to Ruby on a Thursday. Volunteers took her for long walks and sat with her for long periods on her favorite chairs or in the play yard. She ate all the treats she could and enjoyed a final car ride with loving hands hanging on to her the entire time. She was not scared and licked our faces seeming to say, "Thank you for the fun day, now it is time to move on."

This precious little nugget is no shy guy. Neville has been through so much in such a short time, but he has found his way safely to the JJH sanctuary thanks to the incredible efforts of the caring team at PAWS Chicago. Although nothing is really known about Neville's past, his story with us starts with nothing short of a miracle in our book. This tiny peanut was found emaciated, with horrific dental disease, a painfully matted coat, heart murmur, and worse yet, a very large 4 inch splenic mass (and a smaller mass) impeding his ability to properly move. The shelter took Neville in and performed multiple surgeries to get Neville back to feeling his best. He is now safely at our sanctuary and exploring everywhere and everything with exuberance! Neville is a fragile boy, weighing in at only 5 pounds but he has the voice of a pterodactyl and the confidence of a T-Rex. It will be a bit of a recovery road for Neville but he has found his people that promise to love him forever. Neville passed away on September 16, 2024. His tiny body had been through so much and simply could no longer sustain itself. He was our little squawking lamb and will remain in our hearts forever.

Hazel is a lovely old gal of 15 years. She comes to us from Sauk County Humane Society after she was taken in when her owner decided to abandon her when they moved. We know how heartbroken and confused she must have felt after her owner left her. She certainly was anxious and didn't want to eat. She looked to anyone and everyone with her big brown pleasing eyes for reassurance. Luckily Hazel is here now and, after a few short days, is already starting to relax. She is so happy to see all of our loving volunteers and just wants to be part of the action. There are still many times when Hazel will curl up on a bed and we can tell that she is trying to make sense of all that she has been through. We reassure her that she has a loving new family and a big pack of senior pups to keep her company. She will never have to feel left out or abandoned ever again. Sadly Hazel's exam shortly after she arrived was not what we expected. Upon her examination, the team discovered a large, hard and horribly painful abdomen and severe dental damage. Further evaluation brought to light a painful bladder, hips problems and major discomfort. These multiple issues would explain her unwillingness to eat and her stress levels. With that being said, we chose to humanely euthanize Hazel to relieve her of her painful conditions as we knew that her care would be highly invasive and extensive for a dog at the ripe old age of 15. We are thankful to each and every one of you who spent time trying to make her feel at home, give her a sense of peace and make sure she felt loved by all of us. She will continue on her new journey surrounded by those who only knew her briefly but loved her unconditionally.

Our dear Capi, dubbed “The Queen of JJH” came to us in December of 2022 as one of our first residents. We were just beginning, and it turned out that we would need to grow around this sassy corgi. Capi (short for cappuccino) was surrendered to an animal shelter when her owner went into assisted living and could no longer care for her. You see, Capi was born with a birth defect all too common in in-bred corgis. All four of her limbs were deformed. But Capi didn’t know she was any different than the rest of the dogs. In her mind she was royalty! With the likelihood of finding a suitable home for a disabled senior dog slim to none, the shelter reached out to Jane’s hoping to give her the option of a better life in retirement, one that could meet all of her special needs. Capi came to us a little rounder and closer to the ground which made it difficult for her to move around. Her primary form of communication was to sit on a throne of dog beds and bark for attention. It was clear that Capi’s disability caused her both frustration and pain. The team immediately placed her on a weight loss plan and began addressing her pain and mobility issues. Despite all of her setbacks throughout her life, in her golden years, Capi showed us each day that her spirit was thriving, and she wanted to enjoy life to the fullest. With pounds of extra weight off and the pain of her joints well managed Capi discovered a new-found freedom in her mobility and her true independence began to shine. Whether it meant waddling into the yard to bask in the sunshine or roll in the snow or making her way up the two steps into the office to lay on the cool floor near staff Capi lived the good life and did what she wanted, when she wanted. Capi had no issues befriending every person who entered the sanctuary, and all felt honored to see her excitedly scuttle to them, not asking but demanding their attention, as a Queen does! She spent many days being our only lady and kept all the boys in line. Letting us know when they were being too rambunctious or helping to alert us of visitors approaching. She gained many followers and fans as our first poster dog and we always found joy when strangers would know exactly who she was and would make an effort to come for visits just to be “graced by Queen Capi’s presence.” It wasn’t until just after the new year that we noticed a significant change in Capi. She became slower, quieter, and seemed uninterested in mealtimes. She struggled to make it up the steps at times and eventually stopped altogether. Capi began reverting back to her old ways of barking from her bed for attention and spent more and more time resting on cold surfaces to ease her increasing discomfort. Degenerative Myelopathy on top of her existing arthritis and birth defect was a devastating blow to us all. Our medical team worked hard to battle these changes in Capi’s health but just when we thought we would have a good handle on it she would have a flare up of pancreatitis. Our volunteer team was incredible! Many would willingly help her into her stroller to get outside and walk painstakingly slow with her so that she could still enjoy sniffing the grounds, giving her the same time and patience as the rest of the residents who easily went for walks. We made adjustments to her medical care time and time again, started her with chiropractic care and even tried giving her a wheelchair and specially made harnesses and booties to help her retain as much mobility as possible for as long as possible. Despite all our dedication, Capi’s mobility kept decreasing until she was unable to use the majority of her hind end. Determined as always, she still tried to keep her brave face and appreciated those who continued their stroller walks with her and spending time sitting with her in the yard where she liked to be. When Capi would lose her appetite, volunteers offered plenty of alternatives to help her get nutrients and especially take her meds by cooking her venison steak (which she devoured) and was truly a lifesaver that gave her more time with us. Our staff and dedicated volunteers all worked diligently together to continue Capi’s care, knowing that her time was shortening. Their efforts to keep her comfortable did not go unnoticed and Capi had many more good days in 2024, but sadly, the good days became fewer and farther between and the tough conversations began. With constant flares of pancreatitis and degenerative myelopathy taking their toll we were out of options. Capi began to tell us that her journey with us was coming to an end. It was with the heaviest of hearts that we made the choice to say goodbye to Capi and prevent her from suffering through the pain and difficulties that were to come with the gift of humane euthanasia. Capi was surrounded by love from the first light of the day to the moment her eyes closed, and we whispered our sweet goodbyes. She enjoyed a donut in the shape of a burger, filled with chocolate and savored every bite as she was lovingly pet, kissed, and cuddled every moment. There was not a single dry eye as we let her journey conclude with us and begin elsewhere. Capi will be dearly missed as a cornerstone of Jane’s Journey Home for Dogs. But she is also the reason we will continue to take on seniors in her position, providing as much care as possible in hopes of giving them the joy, love, and dignity that they so deserve in their golden years.

Ajax is an approximately 12-15 year old schnauzer/yorkie mix. Sadly, Ajax came to us as a neglect and abuse case from Sauk County Humane Society after being left out in negative double digits below zero weather tied to a patio. Once at the safety of the shelter their team noticed that his abuse ran deep. He was very timid and quick to defend himself from any form of touch. His coat was heavily matted with feces in it and the tangles were pulling painfully at his skin. He needed to be sedated to even clean him up and shave them off. His owner never chose to reclaim him. We took Ajax to be medically evaluated due to many concerns revolving around his mouth and skin. Ajax had a fractured and severely infected tooth which we believe was a major reason why he shied away from everyone. Upon examination at the vet this infection abscessed through the outside of Ajax’s muzzle. We immediately had to have these painful reminders of his previous life removed. Ajax was treated with nothing but patience and kindness from our caring staff and volunteers and after recovery we’re happy to say Ajax is a new dog! He is diagnosed with canine dementia and can have times when he seems lost or confused. But during times when he is more lucid he gravitates towards our teenage volunteers and loves to play tag with them. We are thankful for our volunteers who have taken their time getting to know him and building his trust to the point that any new visitors that come to the farm he happily sniffs and welcomes with the rest of the pack. Due to Ajax’s sensitivities and dementia we keep his environment as calm and unchanging as possible. Ajax has been known to hop and bound happily around the sanctuary in the mornings and anytime he goes on walks. He has overcome a difficult life but we are honored to be able to give him the safety and peace he deserves in his golden years. Our tribute to Ajax: Ajax, formerly known as Max, came to the sanctuary in early 2023 from the Sauk County Humane Society. The fourth resident of our newly established retirement home for dogs, Ajax was our first neglect case and biggest trust building challenge. The scars of his past took time to disappear, but we had to give him all the love and care he would let us. We gave him a new name to help wipe away the pain from his past but made sure it rhymed so that his brain with dementia didn’t have to learn anything too differently sounding. On his first day at the sanctuary a single young volunteer sat quietly with him for hours; asking nothing of the little schnauzer mix and just provided a calm presence in the room. With consistent patience and understanding the stress and uncertainty of his previous experiences melted away and Ajax learned to relax. He slowly began to trust again. Ajax started each morning with excited bunny hops for breakfast and lots of deep sleeping naps in the quieter corners of the room throughout the day. His hearing and vision were almost non-existent so real human contact and trust took months to build. It started with happy little games of tag that eventually turned into quick kisses before darting off. Ajax never liked to be held but he appreciated quiet companionship. Any affection this little dog instigated was counted as a snuggle by our volunteers. He spent his time regularly as the leader of the wandering “dementia duo” gang. And eventually Ajax began asking for ear rubs and would headbutt his friends with such force that seemed to imply he was making up for lost time. It made us smile every time someone took him for a walk and halfway through the “lightbulb” would go on and he remembered that he liked walks, always jumping into a sprint at the surprise of the person walking him. It was these things that helped Ajax find a special place into so many people’s hearts. Medical care was a challenge with Ajax so we worked creatively to keep him comfortable and happy in the least invasive ways possible. It was difficult at times, seeing his potbelly and absent-mindedness and not knowing what was causing them. Ajax lived life to the fullest each day he was at JJH. In the end his loss was a surprise as his morning routine was drastically changed one day and in a matter of hours his strength was gone. No supportive or emergency medications helped. We said farewell to our “little bunny” Ajax on May 31st. In this life he was a disheveled, independent little guy struggling to overcome a past of loneliness and abuse. But as he became part of the pack at JJH he found a family that accepted him for who he was and allowed him to find peace at last. Ajax was a challenge and because of that he has left us with a better understanding of the resilience of our canine friends and we are truly so grateful to have loved him.

Sasha is 13 years old. She is blind, deaf, and has no teeth. Sasha is also one of the most well adjusted little dogs you will ever meet. She is fearless, calm, and smart. Like too many other dogs, Sasha's life could have ended up very differently. Tragically. Her story was one that is heard all too often and all to late. Her owner was not well and had not been for some time. As Sasha's elderly owner's health began to decline so did Sasha's care. It was no one's fault, Sasha was very loved, but her owner struggled to remember if Sasha had been fed or given water everyday. Luckily for Sasha, AND her owner, they were surrounded by loving neighbors. Sasha's neighbors not only pitched together to make sure Sasha was receiving the basic care she needed, they also took her on daily walks around the block with their dogs. But when Sasha's owner was hospitalized and could no longer live at home Sasha stayed in the house alone. The neighbors visited her multiple times a day but mostly she was alone, blind and deaf, in a big house. That was when they reached out to us. And here we are. Little Sasha was lucky to have been loved her whole life by someone. And she was part of a loving community that wouldn't let her fall through the cracks. And now Sasha will continue to feel that love through the volunteers and staff at JJH. Welcome home Sasha.

We took in the sweetest little poodle mix named Bennett. It was obvious from the start that Bennett had not been cared for in quite some time. He was quiet and timid and it was almost impossible to tell how much of his hunched back was from arthritis and pain or from simply the fear of the unknown. Bennett had been found wandering by a nearby hotel and taken to the local humane society. Based on his condition it was unlikely he had wandered far and more likely he had been dumped. Bennett's owner was identified and confessed that they had never really wanted the little dog. And so, he ended up in our loving arms. From the moment Bennett arrived he brought joy into the sanctuary. And it was clear that he knew he could relax and finally feel safe. He was part of JJH for only a few short days but in that time we worked hard to give him as many good memories as we could in order to push away all of the bad ones. We will never understand why people neglect their animals. Why, if they don't want them, they don't drum up the tiniest bit of effort to take them to a local animal shelter or find them a different home? Why they let them waste away for years until they cannot be saved? Why dumping any animal on the side of a road, let alone an elderly one, actually seems like a better idea than humanely euthanizing? Bennett's last days were filled with a lifetime of love, comfort, security. We did everything we could to take away his pain and then sent him on his journey with final memories of love.

Bosley is a 13 year old boston terrier and is our longest standing resident at the sanctuary. Chasing Daylight Animal Shelter in Tomah reached out to us when they learned that Bosley was in need of a safe place in which to retire. Bosley’s owner had moved to a nursing home and the person they had entrusted to care for him had scheduled Bosley to be euthanized. The caring staff at the nursing facility felt that this decision was premature and desperately searched for another option. Bosley came to us quite weak and thin with extremely dry skin and patches of hair flaking off. His digestive system was a mess! A thorough exam at the vet and senior bloodwork provided us with answers. Bosley was diagnosed with liver disease. With a supportive plan in place, Bosley was placed on daily liver supplements and a specialized diet. Within a matter of days his body started to absorb nutrients again and his energy level increased. Like many bostons, he also has a significant cataract in one eye that has rendered that eye mostly blind, but it does not cause him any pain or discomfort. He tends to run with his head cocked to the side to see, and occasionally bumps into the door. Bosley’s liver values stabilized and he quickly became the content and quiet kong stealer we know and love today. He begs for butt scratches and rewards everyone with his silly little happy dance whenever they hit just the right spot.

Bear is a 13+ lhasa apso. His elderly owner sadly had to make the decision to rehome Bear after she took a fall and could no longer care for him. Bear is doing a great job adjusting to his new surroundings and quickly making friends with the other senior residents. We know that his whole life has been turned upside-down and it is our job to love and support him through these difficult changes. Bear is in need of a dental cleaning and has some pretty significant tarter buildup on his molars. Most of his front teeth are loose and we anticipate multiple extractions to make his mouth healthy again. He has a bit of arthritis but still gets around quite well and uses the ramps and stairs to get himself up onto the couches whenever he wants. When we initially interviewed Bear our intake staff's biggest concern was his severe dental disease. Yes, we knew he was unneutered however that would be a simple surgery assuming his bloodwork was normal. However Bear's first medical exam here at the sanctuary did not go as planned. Bear's testicles are asymmetrical and one is enlarged. He also has a small nodule next to his prostate. Along with other smaller symptoms of patchy hair in specific areas, a thin coat, and pronounced nipples; Bear had all the signs of testicular cancer. Bear's exam report card read more "ABNORMALS" than "NORMALS." Bear's extensive dental procedure will have to wait as he needs to be neutered as quickly as possible. Bloodwork indicates that the cancer has most likely not spread and we'd like to keep it that way! Neutering Bear will almost certainly cure him and remove all the cancer. This is just another reason why spay/neuter is so important. Yes, it is about reducing the population of unwanted animals but it is also about the health of your individual pet. There are a number of deadly medical conditions that can be completely avoided if you just spay/neuter your pet. ***BEAR UPDATE*** On Monday, Jan. 29th Bear went in to Aurora Veterinary Care for his long awaited dental. It was late morning when we received the call from them; much too early for his procedure to be done. It was grave news. The dental radiographs showed alarming changes to the integrity of Bear's jaw. Additional x-rays were taken and confirmed what they suspected. Bone cancer. Bear's jaw bone resembled swiss cheese and in some places was only held together by soft tissue. He was past the point of dental surgery offering him any sort of relief. Bear came home to the sanctuary and entered hospice care. He would never receive his dental cleaning but instead would receive all the love and quality pain management we could give him for however much time he would have left. Bear will spend his days snuggling under blankets on couches like he loves to do. For him nothing much has changed. We will continue to provide him with the medications and care that he needs to live the remainder of his life pain free and surrounded by those that love him.

Our staff came into work to an email titled "Emergency - Two seniors in need of rescue." We opened the email to see the darling faces of two very sad and confused elderly dogs. Maddie Mae and Buddy Boo were over 14 years old. They had been surrendered to the shelter they had originally been adopted from way back in 2010. They were frighted and weak and had difficulty standing. The shelter was beyond capacity and they didn't even have the space to keep these two together; the best that they could do was place them in separate kennels next to each other. We responded right away and arranged a time for our eval team to make the 4 hour round trip to meet Buddy and Maddie. Buddy Boo was brought into the yard first and our hearts immediately went out to him. He was struggling to walk in spite of being on a pain reliever, it looked like he has lost a significant amount of weight recently, his coat was filthy, and his nails were extremely overgrown; it was obvious he had spent a significant amount of time living outside. Maddie Mae was brought in shortly after to join Buddy and our hearts sank. She was extremely underweight and had virtually no muscle mass in her hind end. Her eyes were vacant and filled with defeat. Maddie Mae was likely not long for this world. But as they saw each other for the first time since arriving at the shelter we knew they felt relief. They weren't alone in a strange loud place after all. We knew instantly we had to bring these two precious souls to the sanctuary. Arrangements were made and the caring and grateful shelter staff made the trek to JJH the very next day. Buddy Boo and Maddie Mae enjoyed the car ride and seemed much more relaxed simply by being together on their way to freedom. Buddy and Maddie settled in mid-afternoon on Thursday, in the quiet of our office and slept for hours together in the same bed. In just a few days their entire world had been turned around multiple times and they were exhausted. Yesterday morning after a brief potty break and a hearty meal we found them often in the same place, snuggling together in the softness of their bed. It was vet day at the sanctuary and we were eager for our veterinarian, Dr. Miranda Braithwaite of SagePet Home Veterinary Care LLC to examine the bonded pair. But as we entered the quiet space with Dr. B our hearts sank for a second time. Maddie Mae had begun panting heavily, she was dehydrated, and her gums were pale. She had grown even weaker. A large mass was present in her abdomen. These were only the visual signs; we knew much more was going on and her body was rapidly failing her. Buddy Boo was also noted to have multiple advanced medical issues as well and it was only a short matter of time before his body would fail him like Maddie's was. With this type of prognosis and Maddie Mae's steep decline in just 24 hours from her arrival, the difficult decision was made to help Maddie complete her journey and bring her peace from her suffering through humane euthanasia. With how these two special seniors interacted we knew they were a bonded pair and it would be unkind to separate them ever again. We could not take one from the other and add to their grief just to shortly prolong one's life. We decided to help Buddy Boo finish his journey alongside Maddie Mae and let them both rest peacefully together. We know we had these two for only 24 hours and appreciate everyone who stopped to greet them while they were here. Both of them were incredibly sweet and enjoyed being able to sleep together in the warm office in quiet and comfort. We remind ourselves at these times how important our mission is. That while our time with them was short, Buddy Boo and Maddie Mae did not have to spend another day in separate kennels in a noisy scary place alone but rather in soft beds, with gentle pets, lots of chicken jerky treats, and most importantly together. We will never know their whole story and how they got to be in such poor condition. But we do know that in their last moments they had full bellies and felt safe and loved here at Jane's Journey Home for Dogs.

Sweetie is a darling 5lb poodle that we've recently welcomed into the JJH sanctuary. Asking a senior dog, especially one with significant medical issues, to leave all that is familiar and adjust to a new environment and new life is extremely difficult. For many elderly dogs it simply isn't in their best interest. But Sweetie has been through much in her life and has come out the other end confident and content. It is our duty to give her the chance to live out her days in comfort and care while she has a strong will to live and enjoy life. Sweetie was a puppy mill dog for the first 6 years of her life. Her loving owner adopted her along with her sister from a shelter. At that time Sweetie had already lost all of her teeth. But her perky personality shone through, and she became the apple of her owner's eye for many years. This little dog was resilient and chose to love people instead of fear them. Sadly, Sweetie lost her sister after a few short years. And like so many dogs, Sweetie developed multiple medical issues as she aged. Her owner gave Sweetie the best of veterinary care, but the time came for Sweetie's aging owner to make the difficult decision to move to a nursing home themselves. We are all forced to face our own aging and health limitations, our own mortality at some point. Planning for ourselves can be extremely hard but the worry for our beloved pets and what will become of them can be overwhelming. Sometimes it is in our companion's best interest to only know the love and security they have grown to know for so many years. Humane euthanasia with their loving owner beside them giving them kisses and comfort until the end can be the kindest decision we can make for our elderly pets. But for others, and for Sweetie, a safe, peaceful place like Jane's Journey Home for Dogs can provide them with support through the difficult changes later in life and allow these loyal companions the dignity they deserve and the ability to continue to love. Sweetie has thyroid disease, arthritis, and is mostly blind and deaf. Her body is old and fragile. But she loves meeting new people and exploring her surroundings at her own pace. She has made friends quickly with the other canine residents at JJH. Circumstances forced her to lose the life that she had become accustomed to but thanks to the kindness and foresight of her owner, Sweetie now has a safe place to rest her head at JJH for the remainder of her days. Sadly we had to say goodbye to our tiny little Sweetie. Life has it turns and twists. Sometimes the pathways that we envision don't always go as planned. Her health took a sudden turn during the afternoon and it was very apparent that she was suffering. Sweetie had a wonderful morning. She ate a hardy breakfast and spent time socializing with the other canine residents and snuggling on the couch with our volunteers. But by late morning Sweetie became lethargic and refused to eat. Her breathing became labored and her temperature dropped. Our veterinarian was immediately contacted. Our team worked hard to make Sweetie as comfortable as possible but it was obvious her tiny little body would not be able to recover, and the decision was made to humanely euthanize Sweetie. Regardless of what we plan when we take in these dear elderly dogs, we don't always know what their bodies can handle. Sweetie had a wonderful, outgoing spirit, and we had hoped that by managing her many medical issues including thyroid disease, blindness, deafness, skin allergies, acid reflux, and arthritis her body would grow strength and she could enjoy retirement here with us. This just wasn't the case. Sweetie may have only had a short time with us but she was pampered and loved unconditionally by our dedicated volunteers and staff every moment. She was given gentle touches and treated with dignity all the way through her journey. She was treated like the loyal little companion she was. Sweetie left this world in loving arms with words of love and comfort being whispered to her every moment. She touched the hearts of everyone here at JJH and for that we are forever grateful.

Tripp is a 15 year old male dachshund. He came to us as one of our few owner surrenders due to his owner having multiple health concerns and moving into a facility that does not allow pets. Tripp lived in a loving home his entire life but sadly had no previous vet care to speak of. The medical staff we enlisted to help discovered extremely severe dental disease and open rotting sores in the roof of Tripp’s mouth that was clogged with debris and infection. He would often sneeze blood and mucus throughout the day. Due to this it was imperative that we get him medical care right away. Tripp went through a dental procedure in late June 2022 to remove all over his damaged teeth, repair the fistulas in his nasal cavities and give him some relief that we believe had been plaguing him for the better half of his life. After recovering we have seen a great improvement in Tripp’s energy and quality of life. He enjoys following around the other residents or volunteers and burrowing deep in blankets around the sanctuary. He is a chatty one who definitely lets you know if he needs attention by light whining and tail wagging until he is noticed. Tripp loves to curl up with any of the other seniors who will have him and sleep the day away. Canine companionship is new to Tripp and he is persistent in making new friends. Tripp does have a heart murmur and is in mid stages of canine dementia so he may get lost and wander sometimes but he always comes back to stand by feet or give a tail wag.