In early 2024, two senior dogs made their way to Helen Woodward Animal Center. Annika, an 8-year-old Borzoi and her sister Luna, a 12-year-old Doberman had their lives changed when their owner passed at the beginning of the year thanks to the Center’s “Pet Bequest Program.” The program allows senior citizens to ensure the well-being of their pets should their owners pass before them. The senior sisters came to the Center scared and anxious about what the future had in store for them.
Annika and Luna spent much of 2024 in the care of the Center. They’ receive daily walks from the Center’s animal care technicians, and multiple snuggling sessions a day from the Center’s volunteers. They got to eat top quality senior dog food and anytime they had as much a sneeze, they’d be seen by a world class veterinary team. Despite this luxurious living, all Annika and Luna REALLY wanted were forever families to take them home.
Their wishes would be granted in late Summer.
Annika
Annika, now known as Anna, was adopted by her adoring dad, Robert Wozniak on Friday, August 16th. She is his greatest joy and beloved companion.
“Anna is a love,” Robert said. “She’s coming out of her shell and showing
enthusiasm that her long limbs can’t always handle gracefully. She loves going absolutely anywhere I go and never turns down a car ride.”
On the list of her adorable traits, Robert says that her long snout allows her to sort through her food to find the pieces she likes best and is always hanging out the car window to smell all of the smells. She also prances when she walks down the street and gets lots of attention from everyone she sees. Best of all, she is incredibly communicative. When she wants to tell her dad that it is time for bed, she’ll put her paws over her face. When she wants affection, she’ll lay on her back, awaiting the scratchies.
Luna
Jeff Witt, a former San Diegan now living in Bend, Oregon heard about Luna, the 12-year-old senior Doberman, through a mutual friend at the Center’s Companion Animal Hospital. He logged onto the Center’s website, and says the instant he scrolled over her picture he immediately fell in love.
Jeff and his wife have dedicated their lives to adopting senior dogs and giving them a comfortable space to live out the remainder or their lives. It’s a specialty of theirs. Jeff says his family is familiar with the breed,
“We’ve had Dobermans in the past, and we love them. We truly just love all senior dogs.”
Luna is headed into a home where she will spend a comfortable life with an older dog brother, and Jeff’s kids.
“We believe all animals deserve to life a calm and comfortable, happy life through their final days. They earned it and deserve it,” said Jeff.
Jeff was in San Diego on a business trip. He got a rental car, arranged the back seat of the SUV with blankets and a bed to make a comfy laying area for her. He then nestled her inside, closed the door, started up the car, and drove her down the road to her forever home among the trees in the Pacific Northwest.
