Shelter Dogs Head Off on Love Filled Journey to Forever Homes

NORTH FORK, NY-Wednesday marks the big day for Cinnie, a homeless dog who’s lived at the North Fork Animal Welfare League in Peconic for five years — the sweet senior’s bags are packed and she’s heading off on the road trip of a lifetime.

On Wednesday, NFAWL’s Gabrielle Stroup woke up in the week hours to drive Cinnie to her forever home in Morrisville, PA.

And that’s not all: Another senior dog, Betsy, is also along for the life-altering ride. She was found through the Mr. Mo Project,an organization who helps to find homes for senior dogs. Betsy will find her new home in Millerstown, PA.

“I’m very grateful both these sweet seniors are getting such great homes,” Stroup said.

Last week, Stroup said joyfully that Cinnie, after years of waiting patiently, had finally found her happy ending.

“We are happy to announce that after five years, Cinnie has found a home and will be going home Wednesday,” Stroup posted on Facebook Tuesday. “This just proves sharing is caring.”

Stroup has worked magic with her personalized Facebook pages, featuring the pups’ individual stories, as well as photos of the four-legged friends dressed up in adorable holiday costumes. Some of her adoption pleas have gone viral and received international attention.

Stroup did the same with Cinnie’s story, on the Facebook page, “Cinnie, Five Years of Being Overlooked,“ which featured Cinnie in an adorable Valentine’s Day pose — and touched hearts.

“The new family reached out to me on Cinnie’s Facebook page,” Stroup said. “They just lost their dog three weeks ago from cancer, who they had adopted as a senior dog. They are very excited to get her into their home.”

Cinnie came to the NFAWL in August of 2011. She’s a mixed breed, Stroup said. “Cinnie came in and you could tell someone had loved her and spent time training her and playing with her. She knew all her basic commands and would play fetch all day if allowed.”

She added, “She has been one of my favorites since she came in so this is a day I have been waiting for. I cannot believe it is finally here.”

Cinnie’s medical expenses — as well as the medical expenses of two other dogs the NFAWL also currently has for adoption, Betsy and Barkly — are paid for by the Mr. Mo Project, a national rescue program for senior dogs.

The North Fork Animal Welfare League also has a Seniors for Seniors program.

Senior pets, the NFAWL said, can provide physical and emotional benefits; they are great companions and safeguard against depression, loneliness and boredom, as well as improve health and happiness. Pet owners make less visits to their doctors, evidence suggests. Pet owners are also less stressed and often have lower blood pressure, the NFAWL said.

Pets also afford a sense of safety and security in the home and can provide a great source of exercise. Senior pets have a fully developed personality and are calmer; they are experienced, obedient, know how to love, are faithful, and need less exercise and space. Senior cats are easy to care for and love a soft lap, the NFAWL said.

Senior pets, the NFAWL said, might be a bit slower but still have flashes of puppyhood or kittenhood, and are grateful for the love. Most older dogs are already potty trained, know basic commands and are less destructive than puppies; they are often more interested in cuddles than excessive exercise. They’ve nailed ”the art of friendship” and just need a friend, the NFAWL said. They can still learn new tricks — and really only want someone to love them.

Seniors for Seniors Program Highlights

• Seniors who adopt a senior dog or can have a trainer come to their home and provide any necessary training by appointment.
• In addition, if a senior becomes permanently unable to care for their pet, the senior dog or cat can be returned to the NFAWL, who will find the pet a new home.
• The NFAWL will also bring selected pets to seniors’ homes for a meet and greet — and will work to find the best senior pet for an individual’s home.
• There is no adoption fee for any pet over eight years old.
• Food can be delivered to the pet’s new home monthly.
• The NFAWL can provide transportation to a wellness center for the pet’s checkup.
• If a person is ill or hospitalized and unable to care for the senior pet, NFAWL will care for the four-legged friend at the shelter until they are well.

For additional information on senior animals, go to www.NFAWL.org.

Photos by Gabrielle Stroup.