 Some people are miracles on earth. Our founder, Val Lynch, was one of those people. There was never a dog he wouldn’t go to the ends of the earth to save or a person he wouldn’t help. He was programmed only to know how to love unconditionally–something we should all inspire to be.
This past month has brought special memories, stories, and tributes for those who knew and loved him. We have held a space for him at our sanctuary since his passing and wanted to do more to honor his memory and life’s work. When we asked for stories about Val, people didn’t hesitate. They came in droves, wanting to celebrate the integral part of our beloved sanctuary. It was like no time had passed as we read about his remarkable feats to save every senior dog he could, and help those who cared for and adopted them. When Val walked into a room, you immediately felt seen, heard, and cared for. His nature was to hug, and his hugs were cherished. He remembered names and what was happening with each person and always wanted to know how he could help. He was the epitome of an empath, someone who knows what you’re going through without you even needing to express it. He felt your hurt with you, and tried to take it on himself. We think that’s why he wanted to save so many dogs. He felt their pain, and needed to make it right. There are good people in the world. Our staff, volunteers, and supporters are those people. They strive every day to continue building what Val wanted most–for every senior dog to find its moment of glory in the arms of a loving family. We all love these dogs, even the most neglected and stubborn. Val taught us that the most complicated cases are the ones worth fighting for. Those dogs have never known love, kindness, and security. They only know fear after being let down by people. Those dogs deserve a second chance too, but we need patience. Years of neglect can’t be reversed in a specific timeline. A broken heart must be mended on its own time. Val taught us to trust that, and one day, the dog will come to you willingly, ready to accept the love it deserved. As February comes to a close, we’re honored to have been part of the journey of getting to know Val through your eyes. Every story meant so much to us, but especially to Val's impact on the writer. Yes, people are good. They love dogs, care for them, and help them feel safe, but Val was more than that. Sometimes angels walk among us. Though he was called home too soon for our liking, we believe he is home now, surrounded by every SDS dog who has crossed the rainbow bridge. They never leave his side, and they never will.
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January is always challenging. The rush of adoptions to get dogs homes before the holidays is done. While we made the sanctuary festive with the help of staff and volunteers, the merriment is over. With the holiday season gone, a sense of melancholy remains. The days are short, with darkness setting in early and bone-chilling days on tap. Resolutions are made and quickly broken, leading to frustration and shame. It seems like the month will never end, and there’s nothing to look forward to.
In these moments when it’s cold, dark, and depressing, we look to our dogs to ensure they aren’t feeling the same. To our surprise and happiness, the seniors at the Senior Dog Sanctuary are just as happy as ever, and we find ourselves learning from them yet again. Sure, not all are fans of the cold weather, but that means a volunteer or staff member will wrap them tight in a blanket and cuddle them for warmth. Some of our dogs love the snow and pounce around like kindergarteners on snow days. King will surely enjoy a snow cone while Dempsey and Lennox perch on benches with their snouts covered in snow. Lexi will do her version of a snow angel, and Zeek will strut as if the cold has nothing on him. Meanwhile, dogs like Duke prefer to be carried in a volunteer’s jacket with his sweater on. We don’t blame him! As we look around at these precious seniors, we realize they are happy with the love they receive from us, and that is enough. They didn’t know Christmas or Hanukkah or New Year’s Day was any different than any other day. They got walks, received cuddles, were fed, and slept well. That’s what they know, and it matters. Perhaps we can take a moment to think more like these seniors we rescue and rehabilitate. They have received a second chance at life. For them, it’s remarkable and fills them with hope. Maybe one day, someone will love them unconditionally. Perhaps they’ll let them lie on the couch and snuggle. Maybe they’ll get to go on trips, visit pet stores, and get treats. So many fantastic “maybes” could be in their future. This January, when it’s below freezing for days on end, snowy and dark, maybe we can find a light. January isn’t forever. Winter isn’t either. Spring will come, flowers will bloom again, and we’ll breathe fresh air as the sun touches our faces. Our dogs will shed their sweaters and chase tennis balls on freshly cut grass. We’ll find reasons to smile, and life will continue. Maybe we’ll remind ourselves that hope doesn’t waver. It’s always there, helping our hearts to feel lighter. It’s enough for our seniors. Let it be enough for us, too.
Our volunteers come in droves. They walk, cuddle, care for, bring gifts, send pictures, attend events, donate, drive dogs to appointments, take dogs for sleepovers, have dog dates, foster, and the list continues on and on. Without them, we are lost. It’s that simple.
When seniors come to our sanctuary, they are seeking a second chance. The goal is to find a family who will love them unconditionally for the rest of their lives. We strive to continue our founder, Val’s, mission of providing a safe space for senior dogs. We see the despair in their eyes when we meet, and we struggle to overcome it. Putting the spark back is part of the process but requires time and patience, and we can’t do it alone. This is where our volunteers step up and help us find these dogs their forever and make the sanctuary home in the meantime. When a cuddle shift unexpectedly opens up, it’s immediately filled by a pup-loving volunteer. We never worry the dogs won’t get the love and support they need while rehabilitating. Volunteers willingly offer their time to hang out for an hour or more with these seniors who have been let down repeatedly. The dogs come to know and love our wonderful helpers, understanding that this new place where they find themselves is indeed a beautiful haven. Whether you show up for cuddles, make gifts, take our dogs on walks, foster, or help with events, you are an asset to the Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland. We couldn’t provide such a loving space for dogs without your support. You give us hope that a dog will never come into our sanctuary knowing neglect again. Instead, they will know unconditional love from every angle. It’s never easy to gain a neglected dog’s trust, but our volunteers sit and wait. It starts with a sniff. Then, maybe it’s a gentle nudge for a short cuddle. Before we know it, our volunteers have dogs vying for affection and waiting patiently for a lap to plop into. Our dogs get the ultimate treatment because we have the very best people supporting us. Again, it’s that simple.
As we close out the month of Thanksgiving, we must pay tribute to our foster families who temporarily step up to home our seniors to give them a chance to experience home life. While life at the sanctuary is far better than most of these dogs have known, being in a home environment helps them acclimate to family life and better prepare our seniors for a forever home.
Seniors like Buddy Love, Charlie, Riley, Harvey, and so many more have benefitted from the love of a foster family. Buddy Love, who recently crossed the rainbow bridge, was a longtime foster of a beautiful family who cared for him and helped bring the sparkle back after he had been abused and mistreated for so long. Before he died, Buddy Love’s foster family adopted him, making him an official part of the family. He will forever be remembered as Buddy Love Solano. Charlie and Riley found a haven of foster love with the same wonderful family. Charlie, a senior who acted like a puppy, lived with the Scalza family for over three months, where they learned he loved zoomies, jumping in leaf piles, playing in the sprinkler, and following everyone around no matter where they went. He became his foster mom’s shadow, and his loyalty was so endearing. He recently found his forever person, and they are as happy as can be. The Scalza family also fostered Sweet Riley for over 6 months. This sweet senior was a pure love bug, full of kisses and tail wags in a full circle. She also loved to throw her toys up in the air and catch them. She experienced a couple of “almost” adoptions, but then an extraordinary man fell for her and wanted nothing more than to give her a forever home. She was adopted and lived happily with him for a little over a month before she was diagnosed with cancer. Unable to save her, Riley crossed the rainbow bridge in June. While the end was devastating, her life was so full of love from every corner. Harvey recently celebrated three years with us at the sanctuary. He was found on the streets of Puerto Rico and was utterly feral. One of our staff members, Jeff, fostered him and taught him so much through patience, devotion, and love. We are happy to announce that Harvey, or The Harvey, is now a control dog. He has come so far with the support of a fantastic foster. It takes a village to help our seniors rehabilitate and find homes, but we are blessed with people who are willing to open their hearts and homes to our dogs over and over again. No matter what the circumstances, your support keeps us going. Thank you to our foster families, current and past, who help keep our mission alive.
Sometimes, humanity fails, and we struggle to understand how anyone could neglect dogs. Scooter and Nick came to us, barely hanging onto life, and we were shaken by how horrific people can be to animals. It’s why we do this. Every single day, when we rescue a senior dog, we are reminded of Val, our founder’s mission: rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome.
Scooter was found this summer chained to a fence in the heat, emaciated and sick. He had limited movement of his hips and legs, suggesting he had been neglected most of his life. This 10-year-old pup was knocking on death’s door before BARCS was able to intervene. The anger we felt for this pup’s neglect was overtaken by the urgent need to rehabilitate him. We worked fast to get him to the Senior Dog Sanctuary, and its haven of love. Surrounded by our loving staff, incredible volunteers, and the generous donations of our supporters, Scooter slowly began eating a strict diet of specialty food with no treats to ensure his digestive system could function properly. Slow walks around our play yard with the volunteers showcased a tired but happy pup. The shine in his eyes was becoming brighter. Before long, he had gained some much-needed weight, and his diet became less strict. Treats were given, longer walks prevailed, and his love of toys evolved. We tried to find him a foster to see how he would adapt to home life, but instead, we received something even better: a forever home. His family met him, and it was instant love at first sight. It’s the kind of love that this senior yearned for, and we were elated he found his people. Gone was the emaciated, hopeless pup we rescued, and it was replaced with a healthy, toy-loving senior who now has four names. Meet Draco Marshawn Cooper-Jefferson! We’ve mentioned Nick's story before, but his and Scooter’s stories were so similar and within the same time frame that it felt almost meant to be that we were able to save them. Nick was rescued from a home by animal control after the neighbor reported him being chained in the yard without food or water and covered in fleas and sores. Again, the rage we felt on behalf of this innocent animal had to be tampered down because we had to put our energy into saving Nick. It wasn’t easy. Nick was almost in worse shape than Scooter, and the terror of losing him was sharp and at the forefront of our minds. We couldn’t let that happen. We had to figure out how to slowly help Nick see that his future was bright and filled with love. Slow, designated feedings began for him to gain weight. Within a week, he had jumped up five pounds, and his ribs still protruded horribly. We calmly kept forging ahead, knowing it would take time to get him to where he needed to be. Shutting down our worries was hard, but we had to stay positive. Nick’s love of the toy bin showed that he longed to lie among soft toys and feel a comfort he had never known. It broke our hearts but gave us incredible strength to know we had given him this relief and support. With the help of staff member Jeff, we placed a larger bin in our sanctuary for him, filled to the brim with plush toys. Nick curled up into it each day and slept soundly in Val’s sanctuary. It’s remarkable to report that Nick went home to a foster to adopt. The only reason for that was the family’s cats, who we weren’t sure how they would interact with each other. However, the cats are doing amazingly well with Nick, and his family loves him very much. We are sure he has found his forever and are overjoyed for him! It takes enormous love, time, effort, donations, and resilience to make our sanctuary a place where every senior dog has a second chance. Sometimes, we worry there won’t be enough to keep things going, but our supporters always come together to ensure our dogs know this life can be filled with the unconditional love our dogs so easily share. They teach us to love like them, and we’re grateful to learn. Your support saved Scooter and Nick, along with so many others. Thank you on behalf of all of them.
Rescuing dogs from cruel situations never gets easier. Seeing these dogs emaciated, sick, fur matted, and sores covering their bodies makes our blood boil. No dog should have to face those situations. We shouldn’t be able to count their ribs. We shouldn’t see them cower in fear as we approach, worried they will be hit. Too many dogs suffer like this, and it’s not okay. There is a constant worry that we’ll get a dog we can’t save, which weighs heavily on our hearts.
We met Nick, and the situation was horrific. Chained up in a yard in the blistering heat with sores covering his body, being attacked by fleas with no food in sight, a neighbor finally called animal control. The rage we felt bubbled up into our throats, closing it off, but anger wouldn’t help Nick. He needed kindness, love, and loyalty. He needed to know that the humans who failed him were a thing of the past. Our goal for Nick was simple: teach him that he is worthy of unconditional love. As expected, Nick was initially extremely tentative about everything. It was horrible to witness such hopelessness and despair. We noticed he wanted to crawl into the toys and lie among them. The soft toys were a haven after living in such horrific conditions. When we realized how comfortable lying amongst the toys made him, one of our outstanding staff members decided a more significant toy bin was in order. He brought a massive bin where Nick could crawl in and lie comfortably. Nick desperately needed rest to heal, and this was the perfect way to get him to do that. With love and support, Nick has gained five pounds already! He is a volunteer favorite, and we’re starting to see a bit of sparkle back in his eyes. He’ll survive life’s awful and come out shining for a family to love. Nick, you got this, sweet boy.
Mr. Wilson has sat patiently for over a year waiting for his chance. There have been a few “almosts,” and his head hangs in defeat with each return. He looks at us with eyes that say, “I tried, but I’m too strong.” The loss of his dog friend, Tyson, along with other fellow friends leaving to be adopted, tore him to bits. Watching him suffer the grief made losing our beloved Tyson even harder. We gave him time and waited for his spark to return, but losing so many buddies showed us the sanctuary wasn’t for him, and he desperately needed a family. Indeed, someone would adopt this sweet lovebug, right?
A large German shorthaired pointer who never takes a photo without a smirk is one of the quirks that make Mr. Wilson so incredibly loveable. Despite his ten years, he still has some spunk, especially when he finds a comrade in arms. If the sun’s out, you’ll find him snoozing the afternoon away under its rays. He’s never seen a fireplace he didn’t love lying near, and he’s highly protective of those he holds dear. That’s where our staff member, Jeff Warthen, comes into play. Jeff is our SDS dog whisperer. His alpha personality, paired with the patience of a saint, makes him so successful with any canine. Our SDS seniors love him, even in the most challenging cases. He also keeps our sanctuary thriving, as no repair is too hard for him to tackle. Without Jeff, we would be lost. It’s that simple. A dog named The Harvey, his official title, has been living with Jeff for quite some time now. He was rescued from the streets of Puerto Rico, and Jeff worked tirelessly with him to ease his anxiety. Sadly, Jeff watched Mr. Wilson’s potential adoptions end unsuccessfully and felt he had a similar connection to him as he does to The Harvey. Mr. Wilson doesn’t seem to know his strength, and on walks, he can be reactive to dogs, sometimes to the point of pulling down his owner. His protective nature also causes some alarm as he puts himself between his beloved and charges at potential dangers. It’s all he knows. The Harvey and Mr. Wilson knew only anxiety until Jeff showed them how a beloved human could turn the tide. When we lost Tyson, Mr. Wilson’s best friend, we weren’t sure if Mr. Wilson would recover. He laid around for weeks, depressed, searching for his friend. While we mourned Tyson’s loss and ached for Mr. Wilson’s heartbreak, it was Jeff who reminded us Mr. Wilson just needed time. Grief ebbs and flows in us all, and we needed to help Mr. Wilson find a spark to continue without his friend. Jeff’s steadfast patience proved to be correct, like always. Mr. Wilson discovered his spark slowly but surely when he went home with Jeff. The Harvey loved his new friend, and Jeff’s other dog, Yodel, said, “The more, the merrier.” Over a month in, Jeff has acquired another beloved senior, and Mr. Wilson couldn’t be more thrilled. Sometimes, the answer to our prayers is literally within arm’s reach. For Mr. Wilson, Jeff was that answer.
We found a Penny, and she’s had good luck ever since!
Penelope, or Penny, is a tiny chihuahua a family found in the woods near their property in January. Emaciated, unable to stand, and eyes filled with ulcers, this 15-year-old pup had little hope for survival. A foster family cared for her but thought she may be too sick and have to be humanely euthanized. However, Penny had different plans for her future. In foster care, she began eating well and gaining some much-needed weight. While she still could not stand and her eyes were riddled with ulcers, SDS saw her, fell in love, and decided we needed to care for her. Penny came to the sanctuary on February 5th; everyone instantly loved her. Being loved had her thriving despite all of her medical issues, including heart problems. One of our staff members fosters her now and found Penny’s love for brisket. Who doesn’t love some delicious brisket? We’re thrilled to report that Penny looks like a completely new dog since we got her. Not only has she gained weight, but her eyes are no longer full of ulcers. She’s also on medications to help her heart condition and improve joint pain. She’s extremely alert to everything around her and loves a cuddle. While this sweet girl may never walk again, she stood on her own for the first time the other day! Our sanctuary provides love and care for any senior dog. It doesn’t matter if the rainbow bridge is near; we will take them in and ensure their last weeks, months, or years are joyful. When adoption isn’t possible, life at our sanctuary or with our fosters always is. Penny is truly loved. Whenever her time comes to cross the rainbow bridge, she will do so with a full heart, and that’s what really matters.  In honor of Military Appreciation Month, we felt it was time to speak about the daily sacrifices our service men and women make to serve our country and protect our freedoms. They willingly put their lives on the line, spend months or years away from their loved ones, and deal with the mental effects of war long after it’s over. Missing the day-to-day tasks of catching their kid’s baseball game or snuggling with the family on the couch weighs heavy on their minds. Being absent from significant events like the birth of a child or a graduation ceremony brings a guilt they cannot undo. It’s all of these sacrifices and more for the men and women of our armed forces. Despite it all, they stand to serve their country proudly, and we are eternally grateful for them all.
In the order of sacrifices, our military personnel rotate through jobs every few years, causing them to uproot their lives and families and travel to distant places and foreign cultures. It’s hard on the parents and kids, and sometimes, it means a furry family member is left behind. That’s what happened to our Zeus. Zeus was a part of a loving family his entire life. He was blessed with the love of his people, other dogs, cats, and children. He loves to love as much as he loves to play fetch. He was a once-in-a-lifetime dog for his family until the orders came. Military orders are government documents stating where you will be stationed next. While most military personnel know where they will land due to months of job searching, nothing is official until the paperwork comes through in the form of orders. Zeus’s family found themselves with their orders in hand to a place where Zeus could not go. It’s debilitating to lose a dog. Watching them drift off and sensing them crossing the rainbow bridge, looking for them around the house in their usual spots, or almost calling them to come freezes your heart for a few seconds and takes your breath away. Having to give up a dog you genuinely love due to life’s unexpected turns is precisely like that. Perhaps that’s why Zeus was surrendered by an intoxicated, weeping soldier who was too distraught to speak. We had to step in for Zeus and military families everywhere when we heard this story. These sacrifices are too much, and if we can give any source of comfort to the family or dog, we must. Zeus is such an awesome dog. He’s still got plenty of life to live and proves that daily with his non-stop fetching sessions. If you have a ball, he is your new bestie. He’s healthy and happy at the sanctuary but needs his people again. His second chance at a family is coming. We can feel it. Take time to thank a soldier this month for serving their country and for the sacrifices they make every day. The gesture may seem small, but it’s larger than life to a soldier who may have just returned from war and hasn’t seen their family in over a year, missed the birth of their child, or had to surrender their dog due to relocation. If we can bring some comfort to their hearts, that’s enough. To Zeus’s family, we’ll take good care of him and find him another best friend, but you’ll always be the first. Thank you for trusting us with your beloved pup.
Have you heard of Jelly Bean Jones? She wasn’t a famous actor or a member of a blues band. She was a small, 10-year-old, fluffy, black dog that we had the honor to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome. Here’s her adoption story.
Jelly Bean found her haven at the Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland in August 2023. She was surrendered to us by her previous owner, who was moving and could no longer care for her. Although quite nervous at first, it didn’t take Jelly Bean, or JB as we liked to call her, long to settle into life at the sanctuary among her comrades. She was a volunteer favorite who loved sniffing on walks and posing for the camera. She’d offer you her belly for a rub if you were one of her favorite humans. JB could be picky like that. In November 2023, a woman came to the sanctuary to meet JB, which was love at first sight. We snapped their adoption picture and happily waved them off, ecstatic for them both. Forty-eight hours later, JB was returned to us after her new family experienced a tragic event. Heartbroken for the family and JB, we were left speechless that she had already been to a groomer in that short time. JB was shown so much love in her new home in just two days! It gave us hope that we would find another loving family for this pup. As the winter turned colder, Christmas was coming fast. We knew that the taste of home life was lingering in JB’s mind, and we did all we could to find her a new home. To our delight, a foster family came to us interested in a fostering-to-adopt option. We sent JB on her way to see if this would be the perfect fit. About a month later, the family was adjusting to life with JB and decided to adopt her. We were overjoyed we had successfully found another home for this sweet girl. JB was receiving another second chance. Unfortunately, once again, this adoption was short-lived. A week after adopting JB, the family was forced to return her due to a biting incident. We were distraught. There are such highs and lows with rescuing dogs. No matter the reason, it is a massive strike to our hearts when things don't work out. Dogs, especially seniors, often struggle to adjust to new situations, and we know adoptions fail sometimes. However, our hearts bled for this sweet pup whose third chance at a home had failed. This one was hard to swallow. Like always, we welcomed JB back into the sanctuary and continued our mission to rehome her. Val never gave up on any dog, and neither would we. It was then that one of our beautiful volunteers stepped up to the plate. Recovering from a knee surgery, the volunteer saw that JB had been returned and decided to come in and see her. When she sat on the floor, JB came right over to her, laid down, and gently rested her head on the new knee, just like the volunteer’s beloved cat used to when she knew something was injured. The volunteer saw this as a powerful message, and her heart fell hard for this pup. It was decided that JB would try a foster-to-adopt situation with the volunteer and her family, with every finger crossed that this was the perfect fit JB had been yearning for all along. It took only 12 days for this family to realize that JB was and always would be theirs. Adoption papers were signed, and the newly titled Jelly Bean Jones finally went home. Life with Jelly Bean consisted of belly rubs from Grandma, grooming sessions complete with bows, visits to Kinder Farm Park with the family, a collar adorned with jelly beans, and raincoats to keep her dry on rainy walks. She was loved beyond measure, and our hearts at SDS were bursting! Only one month later, Jelly Bean visited the vet to decide if her kidneys had responded to a new diet. Her family found that it was quite the opposite–Jelly Bean’s kidneys were failing fast. Having experienced kidney failure with previous pets, her family prepared for the worst but hoped for a little more time with their beautiful senior. It wasn’t meant to be. Two days after that vet visit, Jelly Bean Jones marched across the rainbow bridge with her tail wagging happily, knowing she had experienced the unconditional love she sought for so long. Jelly Bean’s happiness comforted her new family because they had saved her and given her the love she deserved. Sometimes, the short stories in life are the most impactful. Even though it had only been one month, for Jelly Bean and her family, it felt like a lifetime. Rest easy, sweet pup. |
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Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland8336 W B & A Road
Severn, Maryland 21144 Phone: 443-742-0270 EIN: 47-3708109 |
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