Help care for Mama Katie, overlooked since 2018, stay comfortable in her Golden Years

In 2018, a volunteer found a frightened, very pregnant dog wandering the streets. She was exhausted, alone, sickly, and nearing the end of her pregnancy. We named her Katie. Because Katie was already an older dog (about seven years old at the time) she struggled during labor and needed emergency veterinary help delivering her puppies. Thankfully, Barb’s Dog Rescue was able to provide it, and all of her puppies survived. One by one, each of her precious babies found a loving home. Katie did not.

Katie has spent the last eight years quietly watching hundreds of other dogs leave Barb's Dog Rescue with families of their own. While she's always been a little shy, likely a result of her past life trauma, she's become a beloved member of our rescue family—a gentle soul who has found comfort in the people who care for her every day. While we don't know her history, we can tell you that for the last eight years, Katie has known nothing but gentle pets, kind, soft words, a cozy bed and toy galore, and pure love. Katie lives among the staff, free to roam as she pleases, and anywhere she lays her head, there's always someone to give her a belly rub and pat on the head.

Today, Katie is a senior dog living with painful osteoarthritis in her hips. Fortunately, a monthly Librela injection gives her relief from the chronic pain caused by arthritis, allowing her to move comfortably and enjoy the life she deserves. She also receives regular dental care, monthly exams and bloodwork, and takes daily supplements to help keep her healthy as she ages. At the ripe old age of 15, we've seen to it that her health is consistently monitored and her comfort is top of mind.

Since 2024, Katie has received 25 monthly Librela injections, helping her stay comfortable through her senior years. These treatments have cost more than $2,800, and they remain an essential part of her ongoing care, along with her monthly checkups (100$ per visit), and her supplements (150$ per month).

At Barb's Dog Rescue, we believe every dog deserves love and comfort—especially the ones who find their forever homes with us--we are her big, happy human family, and Katie has hundred of furry brothers and sisters, as well.

Katie has spent years watching others begin new lives. While we still hope her perfect family is out there somewhere, our promise to Katie remains the same: she will always have a home with us.

Your gift will help provide Katie's monthly Librela injections and the veterinary care she needs to continue living comfortably. We don't know how much time Katie has left, but Barb's Dog Rescue will continue to love her hard and tend to her every need for each of her remaining days. Katie matters.