by JANA WILSON
When Suki’s owner was suddenly moved to a nursing home for rehab, the small West Highland White terrier was left alone in a house with only occasional visits from a friend. There, he developed inflamed skin and hair loss from serious allergies that needed treatment.
The dog’s temporary caretaker reached out to Silver Linings Rescue, a local organization that helps senior dogs and cats find new homes—preferably with senior humans.
In addition to rescue services, Silver Linings offers support and educational services for seniors who own dogs, including dog-walking services for homebound owners and other forms of in-house pet assistance.
Board Chair Rachel DiGregorio says the organization, which was founded in 2018, frequently hears about stranded or unhealthy dogs from home health workers, as they are among the people who regularly visit an elderly person’s home.
Once Silver Linings is contacted, the dogs are often placed with a foster family while the organization looks for a more permanent home. When DiGregorio received a text about Suki, she took him in herself.
DiGregorio has fostered several dogs through Silver Linings. One of them, Aja, a 9-year-old Maltese-poodle mix, now permanently lives with DiGregorio along with Greta, a Boston terrier, and the newest foster, terrier mix Rex.
Suki, however, found his permanent home in Kokomo, Indiana, with Martha Stanczyk, whose own West Highland White terrier had recently died. “It’s like it was meant to be,” Stanczyk says.
Silver Linings, which doesn’t currently have a physical location, is operated by five board members who facilitate rescues, arrange foster homes, and make adoption matches.
“We’re a group of five people who just want to save dogs,” DiGregorio says.
Silver Linings Rescue is in search of additional foster homes. For more information or to donate visit silverliningsrescue.org.
