Love Never Grows Old

BBASED OUT OF STACEY HERRICK’S HOME

, Happy Tails Rescue Retirement Home is a non-profit one-woman mission to give senior dogs in need the chance to live out their golden years in comfort.

In 2019, the senior dog retirement home and hospice set out to change the lives of senior dogs in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and beyond.

Most of the senior dogs in Stacey's care have extensive health issues and were out of time at high volume shelters. While some make their journey to her home from private owner surrenders or international rescue operations, regardless of how a resident ends up in Stacey's care, she is their last chance at life.

The retirement home is every senior dog's dream. With options to nap in their favorite spots, go kayaking with Stacey, stroller walks, or lounge around in the warm sunshine with friends, each resident is supported toward their final day, surrounded by love and without fear, as every dog deserves.

But unconditional love isn't the only form of support her residents receive. Stacey provides medical care, and lots of love for the last months or years of their lives. With a specialization in fixer-uppers, senior dogs have so much love to get and give.

With a predominantly holistic approach to wellness, alternative therapies coupled with traditional medicine are used to provide the best care possible for her residents. Regular medical and preventative care is crucial to ensuring a pain-free and healthy life for the residents. Most of her dogs come to the rescue with minimal medical history, making extensive medical support along their journey necessary to recover or manage chronic conditions. Feeding a raw diet, using Reiki for healing, and various types of physical therapy are an extra level of care for their mind, body, and spirit.

Specializing in senior dogs and hospice care comes with rewarding highs and unbearable lows of loss. Whether their time together spans years or in some cases, just weeks - saying goodbye is inevitable. Since opening her heart and home, 14 dogs have passed, 9 in the last year alone. Each time a resident passes, their name is memorialized forever on a large set of rainbow angel wings her niece painted on the fence in the backyard. The mural is a daily reminder of the dedication and love that fills every corner of her home.

Since 2019, 25 senior dogs have made their way into her home. The two newest additions, Kiwi and Bean win the award for furthest distance traveled after being rescued from the Dominican Republic over 1,500 miles away.

Happy Tails primarily rescues dogs from the tri-state area, however, Stacey couldn’t say no to Kiwi and Bean. Bean has hemangiosarcoma which is an aggressive form of cancer of the blood vessels. Treatment is limited here but non-existent in the third world country. Stacey had to jump through hoops with the CDC to receive the necessary approval to bring them here and they finally arrived recently.

There are many stories of the dogs at HTRRH, some known, however, many unknown as some were brought in to the shelter as strays. Here are a few stories, in addition to Kiwi and Bean: Stacey rescued Flick and Phatsy who lost their owner due to COVID. A tiny 5 pound Chihuahua she named Beezy, pregnant at 12 years old, from a hoarding case in a small home where there were 52 other animals. Three dogs, Piggy, Rascal and Angel were rescued from a cruelty case in Delaware. No matter what happened before, it’s all love and the best of care from here on until the end.

Senior dogs living their best lives is the foundation of Happy Tails Rescue Retirement Home. As a small in-home non-profit, HTRRH receives no formal funding and relies entirely on donations, 100% of which goes to the care of the dogs. Donations, big or small, allow their lifesaving work to ensure the best final moments of their lives.

When a senior dog's family isn't forever, Stacey gives them a home. One without crates or kennels and surrounded by love and support 24/7 for the rest of their days.

Because love never grows old. Senior dogs are simply amazing and they matter. ●

You can donate and follow their journeys here: www.HTRRH.org @happytailsretirementhome @happytailsrescuepa @happytailsrescueretirementhome