Launching the Dream . . .
Starting out in 1994, I purchased a house trailer and 5 acres. With meager housing and finances, I was determined to create a lifetime sanctuary for those dogs that had no chance for adoption, no matter what their circumstances were.
After working by myself for several years, learning by mistake and banking my success, I purchased a house and 12 acres in Chilhowee, Missouri and continued on my mission.
As my vision expanded, I began to realize the futility of being a senior dog in a shelter or rescue. They never got adopted and were always first on the euthanasia list. The throw-away mentality and complete indifference towards an old dog's end of life tore my heart apart.
My great love has always been for the senior dog. There is that certain quiet wisdom and soft grace only an old dog's heart can express. True love from an old soul.
After 30 years and over 200 dogs, to grow my dream even bigger, I have decided to name my lifetime sanctuary and jump into business. As of 2024 "Tailsend" is becoming official.
I have two favorite quotes that perfectly sum up why I do this and who I am much better than anything I can come up with myself:
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"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality never fully understanding the necessary plan."
-Irving Townsend
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And:
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"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs... [And] if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly."
-Theodore Roosevelt
Tailsend is not a shelter or a rescue. This is a small, usually 9 to 10 dogs, lifetime sanctuary. My goal is to go much larger. Senior dogs live out the rest of their lives free roaming in my home, as beloved members of the family. I do not adopt dogs out; this is their permanent forever home.
I do not take personal requests for placement, all of my dogs come from shelters where they had little chance for survival. There is no such thing as "no kill", period. The average age I look for is 10 years- most are well over that. There is no such thing as "too old" here.
I personally cover all vet expenses, food, and maintenance of the property- anything the dog needs will be provided.
I do not allow visitors at this time. Blindness, deafness, and heart issues, as well as mobility and senility are typical of aging dogs. These medical conditions require a very stable environment. Constant and consistent routine and surroundings are as paramount to aged dogs as they are to aged humans. Strangers can disturb older dogs with failing senses that are easily stressed.
Everything on the farm was designed specifically for sanctuary life. The grounds are beautifully maintained for daily walks, or they can explore the large, fenced yards on their own. In typical senior dog form, some of the most popular activities are napping and relaxing, eating dinner, and snuggling up on the couch or a bed to watch TV- as it should be.
Tailsend is run as a business. I have put some of my more creative talents to work and offer cards, wall hangings, books, and t-shirts to pay for the sanctuary. 100% of all sales go directly to the dogs' care and to maintain the facility.
"Not for profit" holds no interest for me. For 30 years I have watched numerous rescues fail due to mismanagement of funds, chronic lack of organizational skills, and fighting over how to take care of the animals they claim to be saving. There was always the occasional deliberate deception.
Tailsend is a business- no dollar goes unaccounted for.
It is time to grow the vision. 30 years of experience has prepared me well for the future expansion. I look forward to enlarging the sanctuary, and in the process, stepping up to help change how we manage rescue in general. Very lofty goals, but very attainable.
I live in a home filled with unconditional love in every corner, a peace and contentment that never subsides. The gentle, gracious spirit of old dogs fills my world. I am truly blessed beyond words . . .