People decide to adopt a particular dog for many different reasons. Among the true adoption angels are the folks who see the beauty and rewards of bringing a very senior pup into their home knowing that the time with him will likely be relatively short, yet still willingly accept any future heartbreak in exchange for the joy of giving an older dog a soft place to land and all the love, snuggles, and great care available for the rest of his days. Ellen and Libbie fell in love with a dapper and distinguished 12.5-year-old gent named Achilles and immediately knew they wanted to give him the retirement home of his dreams. While his new parents soon were saddened to learn that their time with Achilles may be shorter than they had hoped, they just concentrated on loving and enjoying this sweet boy and making sure he is happy, comfortable, and fulfilled. For his part, Achilles has no worries or cares as he soaks up all the love, companionship, and excellent adventures that come with life with his new family, and he’s always certain that each new day is the very best day ever. Ellen sent us an update on life with Achilles: “A handsome dog with a wonderfully gentle and even temperament, Achilles entered our hearts on November 5, 2023, from Safe Harbor Lab Rescue, after being taken care of by great foster volunteers. He is a 12-year-old Great Dane/Lab mix and came with arthritis issues settling in. So off he went to acupuncture. Then, the devastating news….. the vet discovered osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in his right front leg. There are no heroic attempts to stop the cancer. What we are doing is using integrative treatments and medication to manage the pain and discomfort. Including Achilles, our pack is made up of Libbie, (my sister), myself, a 17-year-old beagle mix, a 10-year-old Shih Tzu and a new adoptee, an orange cat named Small Cat. Our home is in the foothills west of Fort Collins, so there is room to walk and be in the sun and fresh air. Achilles has a great, willing heart. He loves his walks, and even more loves his car rides. He is very good about barking at the cows that wander in and the deer (the nose works just fine). Massage is one of our “treatments” which he cannot get enough of. Six weeks have passed since our new beginning. We don’t know how long we will have him. All we can do is cherish the time we have and try to return the love he has given us. Achilles is happy.” Many thanks to Stephanie for fostering Achilles and to MaryAnn for helping out with respite fostering!