Sadly, due to rising vet bills, the emotional strain, or just a lack of interest, there isn't much interest out there for elderly or special-needs dogs. And as a result, many old and disabled pooches can find themselves abandoned at shelters all over the country.
However, in an effort to provide as much happiness to elderly and special-needs pooches, two dedicated dog lovers have spent a whopping $55,000 transforming their house into a relaxing retirement haven for their furry family.
Chris and Mariesa Hughes from Clifton Park, New York, understand that elderly and special-needs dogs not only have as much of a right to happiness as every other dog, but that they can also bring joy and love into a family home.
After personally experiencing the panic and heartbreak of expensive veterinarian bills for their senior dog Mo, Chris and Mariesa founded the Mr. Mo Project - a nonprofit that is "determined to ensure that the elderly dog population nationwide is cared for".
Writing on their website, Chris and Mariesa say: "Senior dogs deserve the best for the rest of their lives. We believe that senior dogs deserve homes too!"
As of this writing, Chris and Mariesa have saved literally hundreds of dogs from being put to sleep, by helping them receive the medical treatment they needed and then having them adopted to loving forever homes.
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But their hard work has certainly spilled over into their home life, as the couple now has 20 elderly and special needs dogs living under one roof.
In a beautiful Instagram post, the Hughes proudly showed off their furry family in a gorgeous portrait.
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The dedicated dog owners wrote: "We just want to share our pack of all rescued dogs, and what they live with and overcome...all combined to make one big, happy family.
"From left to right, top to bottom:
- Money - 12 years old, laryngeal paralysis
- Fitzgibbons - 10 years old, hit by a car, hip dysplasia
- Delilah- 10 years old, cruelty case, front leg amputation and jaw correction.
- Pixie - 12 years old
- Lacie - 10 years old
- Vera - 15 years old, front limb contracture
- Mabel - 16 years old, tracheotomy, no lower jaw
- Mya Marie - 12 years old, diabetic, blind, liver cancer
- Major - 12 years old, no lower jaw
- Tejas - 12 years old, mast cell cancer, spindle cell cancer
- Frank - 18 years old, blind, deaf, hind end weakness
- Pesto - 18 years old, kidney disease, blind, daily Sub-Q fluids
- Gizmo - 20 years old, blind
- Tina - 21 years old, blind
- Meatball - 12 years old, anxiety and OCD, heart disease
- Quinn - 12 years old, mast cell cancer
- Stig - 13 years old, recurring mast cell cancer
- Sammy - 13 years old, TPLO surgery
- Phil - 7 months old, hydrocephalus, AA Luxation
- Mercury- 1 year old, hemivertibrea (rear leg paralysis)"
In fact, the Hughes spent a huge $55,000 transforming their home to make sure it could properly accommodate for all their dogs' needs.
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A huge chunk of that went on a $30,000 hydrotherapy pool - so that the dogs can benefit from some low-impact exercise.
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And after a day in the pool, the dogs can get comfortable on a custom $5,000 king-sized bed alongside their owners.
In addition, the home features dog-friendly with ramps, floor mats, plastic sheets, and more.
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Their home is basically the Florida Keys for pups.
What a beautiful family and an incredible reminder that elderly and disabled dogs deserves as much love as every other dog.
For more information on the Mr Mo Project, click HERE.