One Little Dog. One Yes. One Second Chance.
Emilio didn't have a home.
At six or seven years old, this little 14-pound dog arrived at the Casa Grande Animal Shelter in Arizona as a stray. We don't know where he slept before that. We don't know how long he was on his own or who, if anyone, had loved him before.
What we do know is that Emilio needed someone to notice him.
And someone did.
A rescue partner happened to be at the shelter picking up dogs when they saw Emilio. They knew about Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary and its commitment to senior dogs, so they made a call.
There was a senior dog who needed help. Could Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary take him?
They had space. They said yes.
And with that one word, Emilio's life began to change.
For Some Dogs, Being Seen Is Everything
Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Scottsdale, Arizona, dedicated to rescuing, fostering, and finding homes for senior dogs age seven and older.
For senior dogs, that mission can matter enormously.
Older dogs can be easier to overlook. They may come with medical needs, require dental care or testing, or simply need more time than a crowded shelter can give them.
But being older doesn't make them less deserving of a home.
It just means they need someone willing to see the life still ahead of them.
For Emilio, the connection between a shelter, a rescue partner, and Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary gave him that opportunity.
The Real Work Begins
Saying yes was only the beginning.
Once Emilio arrived at Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary, he was groomed and vaccinated. He received bloodwork, testing, parasite prevention, and dental care. He was screened for Valley Fever, heartworm, and tick-borne disease.
And after everything this little dog had been through, there was some very good news.
Emilio got a great report card.
His bloodwork looked great. His tests were negative. He was healthy, cared for, and finally ready to move forward.
Today, Emilio is safe in a foster home and preparing for adoption.
The stray dog who needed someone to notice him is now waiting for someone to choose him.
The Number That Stopped Us
When Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary shared Emilio's story with us, they also shared a number:
$1,489.
That's the average amount Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary currently spends to get one senior dog ready for adoption.
Lew Dog Gives recently awarded Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary a $1,500 grant, made possible by funding from Tito's Handmade Vodka.
The significance wasn't lost on us. $1,500 can essentially give one senior dog an entire second chance.
It can help a rescue say yes when the call comes.
Yes, we'll take him.
Yes, we'll get the bloodwork done.
Yes, we'll take care of his teeth.
Yes, we'll vaccinate him, groom him, test him, feed him, and give him a safe place to land.
Yes, his life still matters.
Tito's support made this funding possible, and Lew Dog Gives chose to put it into the hands of Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary, where it can directly support the work being done for senior dogs like Emilio.
And this is exactly why Lew Dog Gives exists.
Behind Every Dollar Is a Life
Our mission is helping the people who help animals. Emilio's story shows exactly what that means.
Lew Dog Gives seeks out trusted animal welfare organizations doing exceptional work, where additional funding can make a meaningful difference. By identifying organizations where resources can go further, we help donors support work they can feel confident in, while bringing greater awareness to the people and animals behind it.
A $1,500 grant isn't just a number. It's the opportunity for a senior dog to receive the care he needs, find a safe place to land, and have another chance at a family.
For Emilio, so many people have already said yes.
Now he's waiting for one more: "Yes, Emilio. You're coming home with me."
Ready to give a senior dog a second chance? To learn more about adopting Emilio or other senior dogs looking for homes, visit Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary.
Tito's Handmade Vodka helped make Lew Dog Gives' $1,500 grant to Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary possible. Learn more about Tito's commitment to pets and the people who love them through Vodka for Dog People.
To help Lew Dog Gives continue supporting organizations like Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary, donate today.
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