Miko's Sanctuary

11/10/2024

My heart is breaking trying to make the decision on little Paris. I was hoping that with good nutrition, supplements, medications, and vet care that we could turn things around. She's fighting dementia, rear leg weakness, and skin issues. We even tried a wheelchair to see if that would help her mobility. I now believe Paris was gone before we got to her. I'll never know who Paris was, and that deeply saddens me. This video is of our bed time routine. Paris actually had a rather good day yesterday and those good days are what I cling onto.

11/01/2024

TO is a smart little puppy looking for a home. He was born in a shelter in North Carolina. He's an 8 month old cuddle bug. He does try to be alpha, so would be perfect as an only dog. Already neutered. Up to date on vaccines. Someone else has done all the work - TO is house trained, crate trained, and knows basic commands! All you have to do is love him. Applications are on our page.

10/29/2024

BOO! More sweetness from the Sanctuary! Princess Melba, Bumble Bee Woody and Pepe the Whooper! Thank you to our donors who provided these cute costumes! They just brighten the day!

For more information about these pups, check out https://www.mikossanctuary.org/adopt

10/28/2024

Not-so-spooky dress up day at the Sanctuary! Say hello to Wizard Caroline, Hot Dog Louis and Witchy Rosie!

Caroline (~ 10 yrs old) and Rosie (~12 yrs old) are new chi friends at the sanctuary. Pom Louis (~16 yrs old) is just happy to be included in the fun! Check our website for more details and applications.

THANK YOU to all who donated the adorable costumes! More to come this week. 🎃👻

10/27/2024

We took Halloween pictures yesterday. Lots of treats handed out in attempts to get the pups to stay still. Peanut now refuses to let me take off his Mutt Mail costume. What a smart little man! He keeps going back to the area where pictures were taken, thinking if he's in costume he'll get more of those yummy treats. 🤣

10/25/2024

Every one is waiting to be loved. If anyone can foster, we can help them out. My eyes are on the female beagle with no name. All are just precious. Cumberland is at capacity.

10/21/2024

🌟🌟 Benny and Kiki have new homes! 🌟🌟

What an amazing weekend! We promise to stick with a dog as long as it takes to find the right home! Thank you to our donors, volunteers and amazing pet parents for all the help along the way.

10/20/2024

A Sunday smile from sweet Caroline.

10/13/2024

I hope everyone is outside enjoying this beautiful weather! I even woke Memaw up for some fresh air. Not too sure she liked it. When we went back in the house, she gave me the stink eye, snorted, and crawled right back into her bed.

10/12/2024

Shamus and Sophie. They're both decompressing and have an appointment for a sedated groom and full exam on Wednesday. I might have to say bonded pair with these two. Shamus is blind, and Sophie is his guide. If you can help with their care, please call in donations to Village Vet at 804 561 2244. Always appreciated beyond measure.

10/03/2024

📣 CUTE DOG ALERT 📣

Meet our new little girl Rosie. This 12 year old sweetie is 100% a Velcro dog. Still needs an intake exam before being available. Stay tuned!

09/30/2024

Maggie and Kiki are getting some extra TLC from new foster families. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
All our dogs receive love, medical attention and ANYTHING they needed to live out their lives in comfort. 🥰🥰🥰
Thank you to our donors, volunteers and foster families who continue to make Miko’s Sanctuary possible. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

09/29/2024

💕🙌🏻💕Rose has a new home 💕🙌🏻💕

Can’t wait to see those beautiful eyes smiling!

09/28/2024

Every word resonates with us.

There's something I need to talk about, and I'm going to try to address it as sensitively as I can.
Our sanctuary was established as a safe haven for senior dogs who have found themselves in unavoidable situations, facing health crisis or homelessness in their twilight years. We have taken in dogs from shelters, strays, owners who are unable to care for them due to their own health, or sadly at the time of their own death.
Owners who would absolutely do anything to change the circumstances so they could keep their dog, but are in unavoidable turmoil and situations outside of their control and the choice has been taken from them.
We have provided sanctuary to dogs who need us, because they have nowhere else to go.

Recently, there has been an uptick in owner requests from people who are missing the point of what we do. We have had requests to surrender nine dogs in the last forty-eight hours. If you have a dog, that you have loved and cared for their entire life, and now just can't bring yourself to handle the inconveniences that come with your dog being a senior...we are not the answer. I don't know how people can forget the faithfulness their dog has provided its entire life, and as their body starts to fail and they need their people the most, they would choose to simply surrender their dog instead of supporting them to the end.

As dogs age, as with any living being, their body starts to deteriorate. Organ function, potty function, vision, hearing, mobility...every life has an expiration date, and as they draw nearer to the end, things just don't work like they used to. At absolutely no fault of their own, you have to consider how the dog is feeling after years of "doing the right thing", that first time they don't make it to the door to potty. Will your dog's "accident" be met with kindness and understanding at that time? Or will you be so tremendously inconvenienced that you decide your dog can't live with you anymore?

I don't think people realize what a dog goes through when they are rehomed after years and years with their family. I can tell you that I have cried, many times, for a dog who sits at the window watching for their family and wondering what they've done wrong to make them lose their home. They do not understand. In their deepest time of need, they just want the same support that they've given their humans all these years.

Another misconception that people have, is that we can do anything differently than they are already doing in their power, to provide anything other than a dignified end when it's time. We get messages, "I have a 15 year old dog who is blind and deaf, he has trouble walking and isn't eating well, and can't control his bowels." There comes a time where people think there's something we can do, and time isn't anything I can battle and win. The kindest and most merciful thing anyone can do for their dog is consider their quality of life and be right by their side when you offer that final gift of mercy. It's very difficult to manage these situations where I feel confident a dog might need to meet Jesus instead of me.

More people need to stay committed to their senior pets, I really don't know how else to say it. Offloading the inconvenience of an old dog is not the answer. People just need to do better. Love your old dogs until the end. They need you.

09/22/2024

Anyone else do pet DNA kits? What did you think about your results? Any guesses for Beakon?

09/18/2024

A quick update on our little Monkey. Check out the difference in only a few weeks. I said Cora was an amazing foster, and the picture tells the story. Monkey now has an appointment for a hernia repair, to be spayed and to get her teeth cleaned. Any donations towards her care can be made directly to our vet at 804 561 2244 and is greatly appreciated. This little one deserves to be loved and pampered, especially after being neglected for so long. More progress yet to come!

09/16/2024

WOODY … what a cute fella. We think he’s between 10-12 years old. Once he’s neutered, he’ll be ready to go home! Keep an eye out!

09/15/2024

Say hello to Melba! This cutie is about 8 years old. She loves everyone and is very friendly. She’s a little pudge (okay, obese), so she needs an active family or someone willing to work with her on her weight loss journey. Already spayed and ready to find a home. Check our website for an application!