New life for old pets

Taking care of Sandy had become too expensive and time-consuming.

The aging yellow Labrador was lovable and well-trained, but her owner, a single mom from Streamwood, could no longer afford her food and vet bills. In this difficult economy, she was having a hard enough time just supporting her twin 10-year-old boys.

So, this summer, the family tearfully put Sandy in a shelter. While older dogs are often considered undesirable, and sometimes doomed for euthanasia, this senior dog was quickly rescued - by a group of seniors.

The residents of the Alexian Village of Elk Grove retirement community fell in love with Sandy and adopted her. She now lives in their common areas, where the residents shower her with love and attention.

"Sandy even goes along on the community tours," said Sherry Fickenscher, a social worker and the regional director of resident services for Pathway Senior Living.

Sandy is part of a larger problem with a relatively new solution: placing older dogs in retirement centers and nursing homes.

Local shelters are overflowing with dogs this summer, largely due to the Midwest floods and the economy. People who don't want or can't afford their pets are being forced to take drastic measures.

"We get calls and e-mails from people every day. Some of them are crying," said Julie Casiello, of Chicago-based Love Your Pet, Inc. "I have to commend the people who do make that call. At least they're not turning the dog loose in the park, because there's a lot of that now. But I have to say 'no' to so many."

"They can't get rid of their kids, so they get rid of what they think they can dispose of," added Ileana Pullos of Palatine, owner of Fortunate Pooches and Lab Rescue.

To accommodate this recent influx of dogs, Pullos is opening a 2,000-square-foot semicageless adoption center Aug. 1 in Fox Lake.

In the suburbs, three different Pathway Senior Living communities have adopted their unwanted dogs this summer and are in the process of adopting a couple more.

Not just any dog will do. It has to be a mellow dog with the right disposition and size - one that won't jump on people, bark at all hours or be so small that people can trip over him or her. Dogs with medical needs are not automatically rejected.

"We call it, 'Seniors helping seniors,'" Fickenscher said.

'More like home'

Casiello and Pullos recently found the perfect dog for Victory Centre of River Woods in Melrose Park - Lucky, a 100-pound, 7-year-old black Labrador Retriever who is blind in one eye. The cataract that caused the blindness makes his left eyeball all white - a feature that would have scared away potential adopters. But here, a dog with a cataract fits right in.

"One resident said to me, '(Lucky) doesn't see too well, but neither do I!'" said Ellie Baum, the center's director. "The fact that he has a disability endears him to everyone even more."

The therapeutic benefits of dogs are well documented, and the joy they bring to residents is immeasurable. But what about the logistics? Who cleans up after the dog? Who takes him for walks when it's pouring rain? Who pays the vet bills?

The staff does most of the caregiving. Residents are discouraged from walking the dogs, so they don't accidentally trip or get pulled if the dogs decides to run after something.

Pathway Senior Living picks up the tab for things like food, baths and medicine. While "must love dogs" is not a job prerequisite, most staff members enjoy having a dog around and don't mind caring for it.

"Even the staff who don't like dogs, say, 'I can handle (Lucky). He's cool,'" Baum said. "It adds to the atmosphere. Makes it feel more like home."

The dogs ignore the people who don't like them, and since the dogs aren't allowed in the residential or dining areas, they're easy to avoid. So far, resident allergies have not been an issue, Fickenscher said.

Pullos said some people think it's cruel to put a dog in a nursing home, as it prevents the animal from bonding with one person or family. But she disagrees.

"These dogs give a lot of people purpose and something to do, as well as unconditional love. I mean, you can't pet a nurse, right?" she said, laughing.

"And these dogs get more attention then they can ever dream of," added Casiello. "It's a rag-to-riches story for these dogs."

Special bonds

Almost immediately, the adopted dogs become part of the family at their retirement communities. The residents all greet them and are concerned with their dogs' well-being. "Lucky's part of every conversation," Baum said. "And when grandchildren come to visit, they love to play with him."

Every morning, the first thing Victory Centre resident Jean Ward, 73, does when she comes downstairs is look for Lucky. She is still mourning the death of her beloved dog Suzie, and Lucky helps fill that void.

"Lucky loves, loves, loves attention," she said, as she pets him and gives him a dog treat. "He's like my child. I'd take him upstairs in a minute if I could."

Yellow Lab Sandy has successfully brought some of the quiet and reclusive residents at Alexian Village out of their rooms - and out of their shells. One wheelchair-bound man who used to barely look up now lights up and talks whenever Sandy's around.

"He pulled me over not too long ago, and he said, 'You know, people are really difficult at times, but dogs aren't,'" Fickenscher said.