Laura Coffey is as passionate about adopting old dogs, dogs who are on the opposite spectrum of cute, as adorable puppies. She loves them so much that she wrote My Old Dog and spent countless hours going all over the country to interview people who felt the same love for and appreciation of old dogs as she did.  Laura is also a writer, editor and producer for TODAY.com, the website of NBC’s TODAY show. I promise you, talking about her book and the people and pooches she met on her journey will delight you. Yes, we will ask her about how she scored an interview with none other than George Clooney.

Joining Laura on the show is Karen Hollish from the Pima Animal Care Center. Trust me when I say Karen never met a dog she didn’t like. She is one of the people who works so very hard to raise money to support caring for the approximately 20,000 pets who come through the Center each year. Committed to what I call “the ultimate recycling – adopting the four-leggeds,” Karen will also have great stories to share about rescues from puppy factories and hoarding houses, the demand for working cats and just how she and her team of committed animal lovers make it all work at the PACC. She is a wonderful human being and dear friend and I can’t wait to hear her share some stories. This show is in loving memory of Pam Hodges.

WATCH a fun post-interview of this podcast.

 

SHOW NOTES

INSIGHTS

  • The story of how Laura Coffey and Lori Fusaro connected and ended up on an 8-day road trip (having never met before) is a story for the ages. It is on purpose and mission driven – listen to this podcast and learn more about Lori’s amazing dog Sunny and the beginning of a movement.
  • What age is a dog considered “senior”? Large breeds it’s age 6 and smaller breeds it’s age 7. When an animal reaches age 7, their adoptability tends to drop significantly.
  • Although we all want our pets for life…life cycles are real and when it comes time for your pet to cross the rainbow bridge, you can know that by adopting a senior pet…you created a happy life for them and gave them a true second act.
  • Older dogs tend to be calm, mellow, sweet and loveable – a lot of older dogs are ready to live in your home (house trained). You are getting them at the best years of their life!
  • There are great programs in the United States to help with the costs of taking care of a senior pet. Through community support (in Pima County) the Pima Animal Care Center helps take care of a few health issues – like dental care, which can be very expensive. Donate to your community shelters so they can help with care!
  • Our veterans are finding that bringing dogs into their lives is helping with post-traumatic stress. The incredible value of veterans having access to service animals is beyond measure!
  • Shelters are doing great work pairing up animals with humans that need them – check out Muttville’s Senior for Senior Program.

GET INFORMED!

GET ACTIVE!

  • Do a little research to find out the types of dogs that would be best for you! Dogtime.com has a quiz you can take to get you started
  • Check out Patriot Paws to learn more about service animals for veterans
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