Jermaine

Melissa gravitated to SGVHS because she liked that it is a small, private shelter. She also felt the shelter had a lot of heart and did a lot for its animals and the community. She had her eye on Jermaine, a senior spaniel mix through the shelter’s website and social media.  Jermaine’s age, estimated to be 15 years old, and medical issues drew her to him. Melissa has veterinary medicine experience so she felt she could provide the care that Jermaine needed. She also wanted him to wake up on Christmas morning in his forever home.

When Melissa first met Jermaine, he was napping under a tree, getting some sun. He’s a little hard of hearing and a deep sleeper so he didn’t hear her at first. When he did wake up he decided his beauty rest was more important and quickly resumed his nap. To her, his “senior dog calmness” was just perfect.

When arriving home, Jermaine first got a good night’s sleep in his new comfy bed. Melissa then got him to the vet to get him started on necessary meds and she also quickly established a daily schedule to help him adjust. It took him a couple of weeks to settle in completely and once he did, Melissa said more of his sassy personality came out. “I love his sassy side,” Melissa said.

Melissa has a long list of adventures to embark on with Jermaine whenever he’s up for it.  They spent Christmas morning at Laguna Beach, they have looked down at the city from the top of Mt. Rubidoux at night,  and they have enjoyed the fresh desert air of Joshua Tree.  But Jermaine’s favorite thing of all is to attend Bark in the Ballpark to watch their local minor league baseball team play. Jermaine also enjoys his walks and is good for about a third of a mile and then he rides in style in his stroller. Also, despite only have two teeth, Jermaine is a major foodie!

“Senior dogs are the best,” Melissa said, “they are chill, grateful and usually don’t need much training—they know the drill. I wish more people would give seniors a chance.” At first, Melissa thought adopting Jermaine would be helping him out, but it has turned out to be so much more than that. Having an older dog has helped Melissa slow down and be present in the moment. He has helped her notice so many of life’s small wonders that she may have previously just rushed through. “I never thought I needed him as much as he needed me,” Melissa said, “he filled a spot in my heart I didn’t even know I needed filled.”