Ethel’s Mission
Ethel’s Mission, started in 2019, is a “fospice” (foster + hospice) rescue endeavor, saving senior pups from shelters. Most of these seniors are surrendered to the shelter just because they are old, and their owners don’t want to cover the expenses associated with caring for a senior dog. Once pulled from the shelters, these senior pups are placed into loving hospice homes. Our mission is to make the last days/weeks/months of their lives the best they have ever known.
HartSong Ranch covers all expenses, including food, bedding, and veterinary care until they take their last breath.
A Loving Farewell To Ethel…
It is with a heavy heart that we share with you the news that dear, sweet Ethel has passed away following complications from a seizure on August 2nd, 2019…
Sarah Breuch Macchia posted these words about her love of Ethel and her loss… “My sweet, amazing 18 year old Ethel has crossed the rainbow bridge. I had her for a year and 15 days….but it felt a lot longer than that. We took her on many trips including Pismo Beach and Monterey. She lived the best life until the very end. It came very sudden so we are having a very hard time accepting it. But…with her namesake Ethel’s Mission, she has saved 11 senior hospice dogs. We will continue to save amazing senior hospice dogs so they can pass away in a loving home surrounded by love, too.”
When HartSong gave the “go ahead” to pull Ethel from the high kill shelter a bit over a year ago, we all silently thought that she might live another 3 weeks, if that. BUT, Ethel proved us all wrong. Instead, she blossomed while in Sarah’s loving care and it was, in fact, Ethel’s love of life that inspired HartSong to launch Ethel’s Mission. I wonder if Ethel had any notion of the impact her sweet, precious life would have on so many – animals and humans alike.
Even though our hearts hurt deeply, I can’t help but smile when I think of her. It goes without saying that there will never be another Ethel. We promise to carry her torch high and proud and as the days/years go by, many, many other senior pups, dumped to die in high kill shelters, will be saved and they too, will know the same joy that Ethel experienced in her final year. RIP, sweet little one😇❤️
Ethel’s Story…
Ethel’s shelter examination revealed that she was completely blind. In addition, she had no lower jaw, not one tooth in her mouth and a broken rear leg that was never treated. Eventually, the fractured leg fused in such a way that did not allow her to extend her foot to the ground so basically, Ethel is a tri-pod dog. The shelter also discovered that Ethel had a concerning heart murmur.
HartSong Ranch was not aware of this pup’s predicament until a woman by the name of Sarah Macchia stepped into our lives. Sarah, a huge advocate for senior dogs, desperately wanted to get Chica out of the shelter but, the shelter had labeled her unadoptable so the only way out alive for this sweet, little girl was to locate a rescue organization willing to pull her. Upon hearing her story and without a moment’s hesitation, HartSong authorized her release and shortly thereafter.
Chica left the scary shelter in the arms of Sarah Macchia. Our initial prediction was that she might live a few weeks. As heartbreaking as that might be, we just couldn’t allow this kind old lady to die alone in such a frightening place. Sarah decided that Chica needed a fresh, new start and, an “old lady name” so after some thought, Sarah decided to call her Ethel.
Fast forward 10 months… Much to everyone’s surprise, Ethel is thriving, happy and healthy. She loves any and all “in the car” adventures but she especially loves to visit schools where she is quickly surrounded by youngsters anxious to hold and adore her while her delightful, kind demeanor paves the way to educate students about the rewards of adopting senior dogs.
As of July 14, 2019, Ethel will turn 18 years old. Her strength and absolute love of life are the reasons why HartSong decided to launch Ethel’s Mission. She alone, inspired our decision to focus on the “old ones”. All of the pups pulled since the launch of Ethel’s Mission, are now living in loving “fospice”(foster + hospice) homes and there they shall remain until they take their last breath. We are forever grateful to sweet Ethel for showing us that the “old ones” want what all dogs want… to live another day.
Ethel in the shelter. This photo shows her weight and also, her broken rear leg.
The day Ethel left the shelter in Sarah’s embrace. You can see that her eyes had a raging infection
P.S. Sarah Macchia is now a cherished member of HartSong’s board.
As the Director of Ethel’s Mission, she trolls the high-kill shelters weekly, always in search of another “old one” in need of a way out. Sadly, the shelters are full of the “old ones”, abandoned by their owners and left to die in the shelter.
Please consider becoming a “fospice” care provider because the reality is, we can only pull them from the shelters once a “fospice” home has been secured. Please know that HartSong Ranch will cover all expenses – food, bedding and vet care – forever. All the “fospice” provides is a kind, warm, loving home – forever! We guarantee that caring for a “fospice” dog will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
Ethel’s Friends
Bee Gee
Bee Gee was pulled from South Los Angeles Animal Shelter on 5-7-19. He is 14 years old.
Bella
This is Bella. She was pulled 4-26-19 at the Stanislaus County Animal Shelter. She is 15 years old and 7 pounds.
Dottie
This is Dottie. She was pulled on 5-7-19 from West Los Angeles Animal Shelter. She is 16 years old and 4 pounds.
Fermy
This is Fermy. He was pulled from the South Los Angeles Animal Shelter on 5-7-19. He is 17 years old and 13 pounds.
Kizzy
This is Kizzy. Kizzy is 16 years old and 20 pounds. She was pulled 4-26-19 from the Stanislaus County Animal Shelter.
Lucky
Luck is 16 years old and 18 pounds. He was pulled from Stanislaus County Animal Services on April 26th, 2019.
Luna
Luna is a 17 year old female. 5.80 pounds and we pulled her March 13 from the Sacramento SPCA
Maggie
Maggie was pulled on April 15th, 2019 at the Yolo County Shelter. She is 15 years old and 12.80 pounds
Nana
Nana was pulled 4-17-19 at the Stanislaus Animal Shelter. She is 15 years old and 7 pounds
Can You Help?
Helping The Pets
By purchasing any or all of the items below, you can help provide a comfy, warm bed or nourishing meals for our little ones.
Become a "Fospice" Parent!
Please consider becoming a “fospice” care provider because the reality is, we can only pull them from the shelters once a “fospice” home has been secured. Please know that HartSong Ranch will cover all expenses – food, bedding and vet care – forever. All the “fospice” provides is a kind, warm, loving home – forever! We guarantee that caring for a “fospice” dog will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.