Rosegate Retirement Home for Senior Dogs

It was not until I had reached a mature age that I experienced the amazing and pure love a dog can give. I suspect this unconditional form of love will never be extended to me again unless it is offered by a dog. This dog, named Rosie, was an unexpected gift into my life. I had little warning how she would be so important to us. We, my new husband and I, had moved to a new location on the big Island of Hawai'i and he had taken on a new client with two separate properties to maintain. Upon working at this clients up mountain cabin, he discovered a older dog there that was not the clients. Upon inquiring it was discovered that a sad and sordid tale of abuse and neglect was this poor aging dogs history. 

As a puppy the original owners of this cabin had the beginnings of a wonderful life. An off grid log cabin with diversified land, on a mountain side of the big Island of Hawai'i, with youth, love and a young daughter. They had gardens and chickens and decided a dog would compliment their lives. So Rosie the chubby puppy was founded by the way side, in a cardboard box. It seems that the mother and daughter loved her and their time together was joyous. Then a darkness crept in. For whatever reasons the husband became troubled. Anger and then abuse followed him home. 

Rosie was fearful of loud noises, work style boots, sticks or rod like objects, certain curse words and the smell of alcohol. These became seared I to her emotional psyche and all our lives together with love and care could not erase that abuse. When these people and their life imploded, Rosie was abandoned on the property. The client my husband contracted with was renting this cabin and as amazing as it sounds, poor Rosie came with it. He had several dogs of his own already and a stern, para-military approach to training dogs that was not going to work with or help Rosie. She was now to be neglected and pushed to the bottom of the other dogs order. 

As my husband went about his work on the property, he and Rosie started to bond. This communion came home and I could tell it was right to take Rosie in with us. The day came to meet her. I loved her and waited only a day to ask of my husband would like to bring here home. I knew he has always had dogs growing up and knew he would like to take in Rosie but 'dog-napping' was another concern. The client was more than happy to say yes and one day the truck pulled I to out driveway, the tailgate opened and out of the dark came a shy and scared Rosie. A few days later and a bath and she was rolling in beds and lounging without care. 

At the age of fourteen, our poor old Rosie passed on. Years of fear and physical abuse, sleeping on a soggy bed outside in the high mountain air had set arthritis and joint problems deep and though she gave us all her love, time took her physical being. This is the compelling thought and emotion that has risen in our life to create a place for older dogs to live out their lives in peace and comfort. A few acres and a couple buildings with some loving people to care for them is all that is required.

How do we begin and what will be the challenges? One word solves all the problems and quickly but it is not a pleasant one...MONEY...and we will be asking for assistance. In the meantime we educate ourselves about founding a charitable non profit corporation to bring together a team of people to not only build a company that can accomplish this but to do so in perpetually. We have decided that since we are available full time, that would become the core of the care team.

We own our own property and may have the opportunity to acquire the next couple of acres adjacent to our place from the neighboring farmer. The land has several buildings standing that can be converted to a proper facility to house and care for many senior dogs.

The county we live in has neither a humane society nor shelters. We do have many farmers and hunters who value and love their dogs. Our intentions are to found the CNP and start raising funds to acquire and convert these buildings into a retirement home for senior dogs who no longer have homes or families. One of the buildings will be a clinic setting to bath and groom new arrivals and allow for a quiet environment for an examination and physical inspection. Based upon the arrivals medical history and condition it will also provide an onside facility for our local veterinarian and animal communicator to assist in any needs. It would also provide a place to separate recovering dogs from sickness or injuries until they can be brought back  over to the main building.We expect to provide a comfortable home with the cozy and relaxing interior that they enjoyed in their previous home. No steel cages or white tile but comfy couches and  chairs. It is a home and not a prison or hospital. They will have us to comfort them from bad dreams in the middle of the night. Read stories to them on drab winters days. Maybe even sneak a doggie cookie when no one is looking.Get Involved!


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