September 18th: A Walk Down Memory Lane

On September 18, 2004, more than a half-year before Young At Heart Pet Rescue was founded, we met and adopted Fargus. We already had Jake, our lovable senior mutt, with us for just over six months. Jake was "at least 8" when we adopted him, and he was wonderful: Sweet, snuggly, silly, joyful, and characteristically more human than dog, with his expressive eyes and his open-book facial expressions. He was also a total mama's boy. He was happiest when our family trio was all together; he was beside himself when I was gone.

For no rationale reason, I still visited Petfinder.com -- you know, just to browse. I saw Fargus' profile and wanted nothing but the best for the little bully in the picture, with his big, heart-shaped head; his perfect posture; and the pigtail ears that framed his serious -- and seriously adorable -- face.

When Andrew, Jake, and I went to meet him, there he was: 55 pounds of small, muscular Fargus lying on his belly, legs stretched out behind him, soaking up the autumn sunshine. He was the cutest living being I'd ever seen in my life. And he was already five years old.

Andrew went in to meet him first. As he knelt down, Fargus climbed up on his knee, tail wagging madly, and showered him with kisses. My husband responded with, "Hi, Fargus! I love you too!"

Since it took Andrew nearly a year to utter those three words to me and all of 10 seconds for him to say them to Fargus, I was pretty sure he was on board with the adoption. But we weren't going to do this without Jake's approval.

We let the two dogs off leash in the huge open area of the fenced suburban yard. They playbowed to each other, jumped up and bumped chests, then tore off around the yard. Minutes later, they were back in front of us, lying on the grass next to each other, panting happily.

We adopted Fargus that afternoon. He came home to live with us the next day.

Room in Your Heart for One More

When we adopted Fargus, I knew I would love him, but I was fairly certain that there was no way in the world I could love him as much as I loved my Jake. I couldn't have been more wrong. They were different but equal in my heart, and never in a million years could I trade one for the other.

Coming from homes whose only pets were goldfish (me) and cats (Andrew), we always say that Jake taught us what it meant to have a dog. Fargus, however, taught us that no matter how full you think your heart is, you'll always have room to love another without ever taking away from the first. This principle has proven true as we've added Olive, Thilby, and our sweet departed Nellie to our family.

In Honor of Our 'Senior Senior'

This year on September 18th, we're walking the Young At Heart Mutt Mosey in tribute to the senior Ortolano canine. At 11 years old, Fargus remains an inspiration. He's still physically strong and athletic, and his amazing personality has allowed him to be everything that anyone in our family has ever needed, whether it be snuggle bug, roughhouse buddy, hero, big brother, little brother, or security blanket.

Since its launch in 2005, Young At Heart has saved more than 300 pets who, like our Fargus, Jake, Thilby, and Nellie, found themselves homeless and alone at a not-so-young age.

We know firsthand that these older pets still have so much to give, and that's why we support Young At Heart's missions:

• To find a home for every adoptable pet that comes through its doors,
• To reduce the euthanasia rate for adoptable older pets in Illinois, and
• To educate the public on the benefits of adopting an older pet.

Our personal efforts to support Young At Heart's important work don't start and end with this once-a-year walk. As the rescue's Volunteer Media Relations Director, I do my best to spread the word about Young At Heart in the public media and within the animal welfare network; Andrew designed and built the Young At Heart website and helps out as part-time Volunteer Webmaster. We both work Young At Heart events, assist with animal transports, collect food donations for Nina's Pet Food Pantry, and have even fostered the most amazing little dog.

This cause is close to our hearts, and so are all of you whom we've invited to view this page. Please consider helping us help this wonderful rescue.

With all my thanks,

Karen

P.S. Last year's Mutt Mosey was a blast. Check out our pictures in my 2009 Mutt Mosey Photostream (link at left), and consider joining us this year on September 18th at Twin Lakes (Palatine) Recreation Area.