Home for Aging Pets

Re “Kennel Pampers Pooches That Are Past Their Prime,” Sept. 5.

Thank you for your heartfelt article about the Humane Animal Rescue Team, a Fillmore group that specializes in elderly dogs.

We had the good fortune to meet founder Suzanne Kane at a Young at Heart adoption a few years ago. We adopted Smokey, a dignified senior German shepherd. He slept a lot, the two years he lived with us, and gratefully accepted the loving attention we gave him. He was so “experienced,” he was no trouble at all. He also wasn’t expensive to care for, requiring only good food and an anti-inflammatory pill each day. When he became weak and stopped eating, our vet agreed it was time he crossed the rainbow bridge.

Smokey had been such a blessing to our family, we immediately took in Simon, an even older shepherd mix who was with us about 18 months.

Yes, it’s sad when they die. But we knew their time with us was to be short, and their grateful affection was more than enough compensation.

If you have love to share, please contact HART for a wonderful opportunity to make a doggone difference! Call 677-5541.

JAN HINES

and SUZANNE BEDFORD

Ventura County