YUMA, Ariz.-
Guests who come to this beautiful home are welcomed by waging tails and excited faces.
Well known pack leaders Paula and Isaac Rivadeneira are providing a unique and much needed service for Yuma County.
“Well we are both working and we’re taking care of, here, 11 dogs right now, that are old and need a lot of care ,” Paula said.
The nonprofit “Old Souls K-9 Rescue and Retirement, or Hacienda” is a place where elderly pets can rest in their dying days, and along with a few cats, three tortoises and a pig, Paula says many of them come from shelters.
“We know that by taking these dogs out of the shelter that they are not going to die alone and they’re not going to die unhappy and scared they are going to be here with us,” she said.
Although Paula has been rescuing animals years before the couple met, ‘Old Souls K-9’ officially started in 2010. Paula tells us why she began her rescue journey.
“A lot of these dogs weren’t cared for very well throughout their lives. You know, they lived outside, never got to come indoors, never had good food didn’t have people petting them. Some of these dogs we couldn’t even touch when they got here because they weren’t used to having people near them. So to have them come here and then see how they change and thrive and start to love being held and petted.” Paula explained.
With the help of donations and volunteers, Isaac says they still manage to have two full time jobs, but there’s a bigger reason why they keep going.
“It’s difficult at times, and I totally understand how people say they cannot do it, at the same time is rewarding. You know I have the philosophy I live by…Life in all its forms is good, and we have …we are Stuarts,” Isaac said.
For many of these old souls, their last living moments will be here and the couple says when the time comes, and if euthanasia is necessary, it’s done peacefully at home.
“That way they can pass peacefully surrounded by us and by the other dogs who love them. We know that the last bit of life that we are giving them could be the best time they’ve ever had in their life.” she concluded.