Celebrating 3 Years of Love, Loss, and New Beginnings

Three years ago, Moose Lodge Senior Pet Sanctuary opened its doors with a simple mission: Give senior dogs a true forever home, not just a place to stay a place to belong.

Since that day, we've been blessed to care for countless incredible souls — dogs who came to us after being surrendered, abandoned, or left behind, through no fault of their own. Some arrived scared. Some arrived sick. Some arrived tired. But every single one of them found the same thing waiting for them here: family. A Home, Not a Holding Place

At Moose Lodge, we aren’t just a sanctuary, and we aren’t just hospice care. We are a forever home for as long as our dogs need us.

We make a promise to each resident that no matter how short or how long their stay, they will be loved fiercely. They will know warm beds, full bellies, and arms that welcome them every single day. We laugh with them. We cry with them. We celebrate the little moments and the big ones — and sometimes, we hold them as they take their last breath, so they know they are not alone.

Remembering Smitty and Ollie

This year brought both incredible memories and heartbreaking goodbyes.

We recently said farewell to two of our very first residents, Smitty and Ollie.

Smitty, known fondly as "Buddy," was a proud pit bull mix with a booming bark and an even bigger heart. He guarded our home with a tough-guy act but melted into a puddle the second someone scratched behind his ears. As his health declined over the past six months, we knew the day would come when he'd tell us he was ready. Smitty passed surrounded by love, strength, and gratitude, reunited with his old friends across the Rainbow Bridge.

Ollie, our silly, photogenic troublemaker, came to us with a laundry list of challenges: deafness, dementia, terminal cancer, and incontinence. He wasn’t expected to live long, yet he gave us three unforgettable years filled with laughter and stubborn resilience. Ollie crossed the Rainbow Bridge on his birthday, a final poetic chapter to his incredible journey with us.

Saying goodbye never gets easier. But we find comfort in knowing that Ollie and Smitty left this world the way every dog deserves, deeply loved, fiercely protected, and forever remembered.

Looking Ahead: Growing Our Mission

As we enter our fourth year, our work is far from over.

Feeding, caring for, and providing medical support for senior pets takes constant effort and resources. Each resident no matter their age or health deserves the very best for the rest of their lives.

Moose Lodge is entirely funded by Debbie and Dave’s social security, a few acting residual checks, and your generous donations. We don’t have corporate sponsors or big grants (but always still looking), we have heart, hustle, and a community of amazing people who believe in second chances.

This summer, we are focused on preparing for increased costs, from food to medical bills to daily care essentials. Even when we lose precious souls, the work (and love) continues for those still with us.

How You Can Help

If you’d like to celebrate our 3rd anniversary with us and help us continue giving these senior dogs the lives they deserve, there are several ways you can support:

💛 Donate through Givebutter (we receive 100% of the donation): Givebutter Link

🧡 Donate through our website: www.mooselodgesps.org

💙 Donate via PayPal: Donate Here or @mooselodgeseniorpetsanctuary

💙 Venmo: @mooselodgeseniorpetsanctuary

🛒 Shop our Amazon Wishlist: Amazon Wishlist

Every donation is 100% tax-deductible, and every bit of support helps us continue this labor of love.

Thank You for Being Part of Our Family

Three years later, we are still here. A little messier, a lot furrier, but more determined than ever. From the bottom of our hearts (and probably with a few sleeping dogs at our feet), thank you for believing in Moose Lodge and the senior pets who call it home.

Here’s to Smitty, Ollie, and all the souls we've loved, and to all the ones still waiting for a place to belong. We’ll keep the door open, the treats stocked, and the love flowing. Always. 🐾

With endless gratitude, Debbie, Dave, and the Moose Lodge Senior Pet Sanctuary Family