What do we do when we get to the age that we are no longer able to care for our furry companions? Such was the dilemma for an elderly woman recently.
The woman, whose family was not able to take over caring for her furry companions, was concerned that if she were to be hospitalized, her senior dogs might not get the care they needed. She turned to Donna Leshne, founder of Dew Paws Rescue.
“If I had to think about it, I don’t think I would be fibbing if I said we get two or three requests to rehome senior pets a week, either from facility sites or from our community members,†Leshne said.
Leshne was able to find a foster for the woman’s two seniors. Pal is a silky terrier and is 14 years old. That’s 98 in dog years. Pal’s friend, Patches, is a Havanese mix and is 16 years old (112 in dog years). Both are male and have been in foster care for over a week now.
According to the foster, Robin Speas of ·è¿ÍÖ±²¥ Fe, when both dogs arrived at her home, they were anxious and appeared to be missing their owner. “They settled in pretty quick once they felt safe,†Speas said. “It was me that took some time to figure out their needs and routine.â€
When welcoming any new animal into a home, whether for fostering or adopting, a person needs to familiarize themselves with the 3-3-3 rule. This guideline is designed to help a rescue dog into its new home and help it settle in. By following the 3-3-3 rule, fosters and new pet owners can give their rescue dog the time and support it needs to adjust to its new home and family.
“One of the most important things to help fosters and new owners understand is that it takes time for a dog, or dogs, to acclimate to new surroundings,†Leshne said. Three days to decompress, three weeks to learn your routine and three months to really feel they are a part of your pack. Calm, consistent, predictable — that is what translates into “love†for a dog.
Because the two are unable to climb stairs, and Speas has an elderly cat who is having issues being limited to the upstairs of the home, Leshne is now seeking a foster, with the intent to adopt these two senior dogs. Leshne is hoping to find them a home where they can live their final years together.
“At first, I thought, ‘oh, yeah, if we have to, we can separate them.’ But now that I have seen them together, the rescue would like to advocate for them to find a home together.â€
Pal has vision and hearing problems, and since they have been together, Pal has relied on Patches to help him get around. Apart from Pal’s issues, both dogs are healthy and not on any medication. They have been well cared for by their elderly human companion.
If you are interested in meeting this duo, please contact Donna Leshne at 505-412-9096 or go to infodewpaws@gmail.com for more information.
Tracks
·è¿ÍÖ±²¥ Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society: Sprout would be a great fit for any family. This easygoing dog gets along great with other dogs and people, including kids. She is house-trained, leash-trained and happily sleeps in her own bed.
High-energy, fun-loving Celeste is the perfect match for someone who loves outdoor adventures and long walks. She would do well with a yard or open space where she can run to her heart’s content.
The shelter’s adoption hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Call 505-983-4309, ext. 1610, or visit .
Española Humane: Charming pup Theo just graduated from the eight-week Paws in the Pen training program at the Penitentiary of New Mexico, so he’s learned a long list of commands and is leash- and crate-trained. Theo is mellow but fun; he loves kids and other dogs.
Siesta was orphaned in a mattress outside. Unfortunately, her leg was stuck in a mattress spring, and she was found hanging upside down like a bat, her tiny leg badly broken. After several weeks in a cast and two months in foster care with her brother, Sueño, Siesta now runs around fully healed. The shelter hopes to adopt the siblings together. Both kittens are litterbox-trained and do well with other cats as well as dogs.
The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call 505-753-8662 or visit .
Felines & Friends: Three-month-old kittens Orville, Wilbur, Thaden and Patty were rescued with their young mom Jeanna. This little family was raised in a foster home and spent the last month at the Turquoise Teapot & Cat Café. They are now getting ready for adoption, ideally in pairs.
Brother Wilbur is a playful brown and white tabby with a brown button nose. He loves dashing through the tunnel and tussling with his look-alike brothers. Patty is a petite gray Tabby, the baby sister of the bunch. She alternates between napping in the sun and bursts of playful kitten energy.
Visit to learn more and apply to adopt from Felines & Friends NM.
Dew Paws Rescue: Cyrus is a young male Russian blue who was rescued from the street. He is microchipped, but information on the chip is no longer viable. Cyrus tested positive for feline immunodeficiency virus and would do best as an only cat or in a home that has other FIV-positive cats.
Cyrus is a friendly cat and is medically vetted and up to date on all his vaccines. If you are interested in adopting or fostering Cyrus, call 505-412-9096 or go to infodewpaws@gmail.com for more information.
The Horse Shelter: Tula is a 13-year-old brown and white pinto. Tula is progressing with her groundwork and working with some volunteers. She tends to be energetic and reactive and will likely always need a more advanced handler, but she now calmly leads, lunges, ties, loads on the trailer and stands for a farrier.
Tula has become significantly quieter and more thoughtful when paired with a handler who is calm and confident. If you are interested in adopting Tula, go to for more information or call 505-577-2193.
