When Ann DeGarmo retired and signed on as a volunteer with SOLR, she had a very special mission in mind.
“I was a registered nurse, and one of my retirement goals was to help rescue more medically needy dogs, more senior dogs, and dogs that require hospice care,” said Ann. She says there are too many older and infirm dogs out there that deserve a better life, including some senior or ailing dogs who were once loved but were then abandoned or discarded.
In the two years she has volunteered for SOLR, Ann has fostered an amazing total of 25 dogs, including 17 during 2021 alone. Her job, she says, is “to stabilize the dogs, make sure they’re medically sound and make them feel safe and loved until they find their perfect family.”
One of her favorite success stories is Hatch, a three-legged fellow who came to her after surgery to amputate a leg. “This dog exuded happiness, and his resilience was amazing. He ended up with the most perfect home and family.”
Two of the fosters with her now are also special cases. Rosie has been in hospice care with Ann since July 2021. She has bladder cancer, but Ann says she is currently doing pretty well.
And then there is Zuki, a purebred Golden Retriever that SOLR took on to save her from a situation of severe neglect. “She was all bones and fur and weighed just 39 pounds when she came to me.” She has already put on 24 pounds since Ann started caring for her.
Ann said Zuki required abdominal surgery to remove a blockage that resulted from ingesting rocks and a heavy metal gadget. On top of that, she was suffering from untreated diabetes, which caused her to go blind. (Zuki will have surgery this month to regain her eyesight.)
Ann remembers her very first foster, which she took on when she worked with another organization. The dog was named Cloud, and was very ill when it came to her. She only lived four days, but in those four days, Ann says, Cloud was loved. It was an experience that solidified her determination to do more with infirm and senior dogs.
Ann has six of her own dogs, so her house is a busy place. At one point, there were ten dogs in the house, including four fosters. She said it was a lot of fun, and everyone got along. ”They’re all rescues, so I think they communicate to each other that they are in a safe and a good place.”
For Ann, being a foster is one of the most rewarding things she has ever done. “Believe it or not, I have never been a ‘foster fail.’ If you go into it with the mindset that a loving home – other than your own home – is out there, you can foster.
"I’ve cried over several dogs when they’ve left for their new homes. But in my heart, I know it’s best for the dog. And it feels good knowing I have saved a dog and found it a loving home.”
