Senior Dog Becomes Poetic Muse for Her Pet Mom
Issa the dog finds the family of her dreams and enjoys her golden years in style.
Rachel + Issa
As a sassy senior, Issa is living her best life — and showing her family how to appreciate the little things.
"She lives for her chicken stew dinners and meatball treats (No teeth? No problem!), booty scratches, and cuddles on the couch after a hard day of napping. We couldn’t imagine a more perfect pup for us, and although she’s older we know she has plenty of years full of snacks, snoozes, outfits, and adventures ahead of her."
Adopting Issa from Muttville Senior Dog Rescue made an otherwise challenging year totally worthwhile for us. Through a pandemic, a layoff, a recession, and California fires, Issa reminds us to live in the moment and be grateful.
She lives for her chicken stew dinners and meatball treats (No teeth? No problem!), booty scratches, and cuddles on the couch after a hard day of napping. We couldn’t imagine a more perfect pup for us, and although she’s older we know she has plenty of years full of snacks, snoozes, outfits, and adventures ahead of her. We don’t know what her life was like before she came into ours, but it couldn’t have been easy. Despite her likely rough past, and a diagnosis of “cognitive dysfunction” (basically doggie dementia), Issa is the most resilient, trusting, easy-going girl around; she teaches us to appreciate the little things and face the world with curiosity and love.
She even inspired me to start writing poetry again, a hobby that I had all but given up. I wrote the two “Odes to Issa” below as a loving tribute to this funny little lady (a.k.a. “Baby Grandma”) who brings endless joy into our hearts and constant smiles to our faces. It would mean everything to be able to thank Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, the organization that not only rescued, fostered, and adopted Issa, but continues to support her through their hospice program. Issa has needed a lot of TLC over the past few months, including teeth extractions, prescriptions, and a special gastro-sensitive diet. Without Muttville’s help, we wouldn’t have been able to afford this care. Winning a Holiday Wishes grant for Muttville would mean more senior dogs like Issa can enjoy their golden years and finally live their best lives!
Ode to Issa #1
O she the pup of toothless grin
Flecks of pumpkin on her chin
Bambi eyes and strawberry pelt
Sets the coldest heart to melt
Pointy ears like a copter propeller
Not sure she can hear but we won’t teller
If you rouse her, you’ll get a clackety clack
Mean streets of Modesto and not lookin’ back
Lolling tongue, can’t help but smile
She makes scooping poop worthwhile
Dinner time a pitter-patter
Without you, pup, we’d be much sadder
We’ll wipe your face and scratch your butt
‘Cuz you’re the village’s cutest mutt!
Ode to Issa #2
O pup we’ve grown to love you more
We don’t even mind when you lick the floor
You walk around an endless track
Circle there and circle back
Mealtime is a messy affair
Food on the wall and food in your hair
Bath time’s not your jam at all
But you never say no to a yummy meatball
Snuggle time’s the best part of the day
You’ve mastered “eat” and “love” although you don’t “play”
We sometimes make you groan and grumble
But we’re here to catch you when you tumble
We’ll tuck you in and pick you up
‘Cuz you’re the world’s most sweetest pup!
Each year, the Petco Foundation Holiday Wishes campaign invites adopters to share stories of how their pets have changed their lives to give the organizations that they’ve adopted from the chance to receive grant awards. This story by Rachel won Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco, California a 2020 Holiday Wishes award.