Introducing Valerie Reid, an extraordinary woman who couldn’t bear the thought of elderly dogs facing their final moments alone. To address this concern, she transformed her home into a sanctuary, Whispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary, in Missouri.

As the owner of this unique pet rescue organization, Valerie Reid is making a significant impact on the lives of senior dogs that have been abandoned or have lost their owners. Whispering Willows operates as a lifetime hospice sanctuary, offering care to dogs in their final stages of life until their passing. Unlike traditional pet sanctuaries, the dogs at Whispering Willows are not fostered or adopted; instead, they become part of Reid’s family, residing in her home until their last breath.

“They just get to be here and get to be home,” Reid shares with Daily Paws, emphasizing the comforting environment provided to the senior dogs. These furry residents come to Whispering Willows for various reasons—some abandoned, others losing their pet parents, and some separated from their owners by legal orders.

Despite their challenging pasts, the senior dogs at Whispering Willows exude resilience and forgiveness. Reid notes, “What I love about senior dogs is that they’re so forgiving. No matter what has occurred in their life…they continue to forgive and they continue to love.”

Valerie Reid’s motivation to establish this sanctuary stems from a personal experience when her father passed away from cancer, leaving behind his loyal Doberman pinscher. Unable to take in her father’s beloved pet, Reid found a foster family for the dog, sparking her inspiration to offer similar experiences to other pets and families.

The sanctuary is home to senior dogs for varying durations, with some spending their final months and weeks there. Despite the inevitable pain of losing a pet, Reid believes that providing comfort during their last days is a meaningful endeavor.

“I think we are better together here at the sanctuary because they have taught me simply to keep going no matter what life throws at you,” reflects Reid. “There is trauma, there is death, and there is sadness—but there’s a lot of love and happiness.”