By Mark Schmerling

At Forever Dream Senior Dog Sanctuary in Tryon, Wilkins currently cares for some 20 small to medium-size dogs, of mostly nine to 18 (human) years. A few of the dogs were once feral animals, whose ages run from just two to four. They mix with the general population, but are not part of the senior program. The sanctuary has operated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit since September 2015. Grant funding is not available until a non-profit such as this has operated for a full year.

 

Most of the dogs are there for the rest of their lives, while a very few will be offered for adoption.

 

“Our mission here,” Wilkins emphasized, “is to have a forever home for senior dogs with special needs. This is basically their home,” she said. “I just live here.”

 

Local Bulletin “Special Cases” columnist Lenny Rizzo points out, “They don’t live the rest of their lives in a cage.”

 

Of Wilkins, “She’s my idol,’ Rizzo stated proudly.

 

In addition to her own dogs, Wilkins has been fostering senior dogs for Foothills Human Society for some 15 years. Wilkins moved to Polk County, from Charlotte in 2000.

 

What are some of their special needs?

 

Some of the dogs are products of abusive situations; some of their previous humans gave them to shelters when the dogs required expensive medical procedures. One came from a deceased owner. Some are rescued feral dogs, which, in time, acclimate to humans.

 

One dog had previously been confined to a tiny bathroom for a year and one half, and had never been outdoors.

 

“She didn’t even know what grass was,” Wilkins remarked sadly. “Now, she’s really adventurous.”

 

All of the dogs, like their human counterparts, require lots of love, healthy food, and understanding. Wilkins, a practicing psychologist who understands the similarities between humans and dogs, dispenses large doses of all three, in addition to providing safe shelter and outdoor recreation space.

 

Though the residents possess a score of different personalities, they get along mostly like old friends. Outside, most hang out in close proximity, but some wander off and explore, while others seek a comfortable place to relax.

 

“They’ve got a huge area,” Wilkins said of the outdoor space. “They love it.”

 

As often happens in human group situations, a few of the dogs help newcomers blend in and feel at home.

 

Nokkey, Rosie and Champ help integrate newcomers, and make them feel at home and at ease. “They’re my core pack,” Wilkins notes. “It’s because of them that everybody gets along so well.”

 

A new dog spends early time with Nokkey, “a pretty amazing little dog,” Wilkins remarked.

 

Later Champ sits near new arrivals, to help comfort them, and Rosie begins playing with them.

 

Wilkins said she’d like to have Nokkey wear a GoPro (mini, wearable video camera), so people can see what he does.

 

As part of her psychology work, Wilkins counsels human clients, and is a life coach.

 

“I love working with people, and helping senior dogs.”

 

Occasionally losing a dog, Wilkins notes, “I don’t think of the (remaining) quantity of the time each dog has. I think about the quality of the time.”

 

Like humans, dogs mourn the loss of their companions, an example of how dogs feel trauma, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), much the same as humans.

 

A few of Wilkins’s charges serve as therapy dogs at local hospitals and care facilities. Both canines and humans benefit from the interaction.

 

At Forever Dream, dogs enjoy healthful grain-free diets and lots of supplements. “It’s so much better for them,” Wilkins noted.

 

Forever Dream also boasts a swimming pool, where elder dogs, often with less healthy joints and less strength than when they were younger, can benefit from the water’s buoyancy. To better care for her charges, Wilkins follows her own daily exercise regimen.

 

At this point, donations and volunteers rank high on Forever Dream’s needs list. One volunteer currently helps.

 

Donations so far, have included a washer/dryer combination, a bathtub for the dogs, a stainless steel table, utility sink, and bulk containers for food. Needs include fencing material for the yard boundary. Wilkins will be running a fundraiser to help make that a reality. Contributions toward healthful dog food would always be welcome.

 

Visit Forever Dream at foreverdreamseniordogsanctuary.org. E-mail Wilkins at foreverdreamsds@gmail.com or phone the office at 828-440-1211.