Waukesha Woman Provides New Home for Old Dogs

It is difficult for any dog owner when his or her dog grows old, but there is something in this phase of life in which Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin volunteer Jane Babcock finds great value.

The Waukesha resident believes that, as with phases of a person's life, it is important to honor each phase of a dog’s life as well. She sees something spiritual in the older dogs.

“You’re dealing with a dog who's vulnerable and who looks at you with incredible trust and love and is really putting their life in your hands,” Babock said.

G.R.R.O.W. started in May 2000 and has helped over 1,800 dogs find permanent homes, according to its Facebook page. This nonprofit takes in all Goldens and doesn’t show any prejudice against seniors, which are not necessarily desirable for those looking to adopt. Many younger dogs are fostered and then placed in permanent homes. But what happens when the dogs are near the end?

That’s where Babcock, a Waukesha resident comes in.

Babcock’s dedication to these dogs helps improve their quality of life as well as bringing something into hers that is priceless.

Babcock began volunteering with G.R.R.O.W. about seven years ago. She hadn’t had a dog in some time, but had a Golden Retriever while her kids were growing up named Yogi. Yogi was killed on the road in front of their house. Her family was devastated and they got another dog, but it had too much energy for them to handle. Since then they had cats, but seven years ago, Babcock had a longing to finish unfinished business that she felt she had because of the way Yogi died.

“I sort of got this feeling that I wanted a dog again and I knew it had to be a Golden Retriever,” Babcock said.

Because she didn’t have the energy for a young dog, Babcock began taking in seniors. Her first was Penny, who was 13 years old. G.R.R.O.W. handles the cost of all of the medical needs and veterinary care, leaving the senior foster home to provide food and toys. Babcock has had seven dogs in the last seven years.

“It’s been a lot of very hard goodbyes and you don’t ever get used to it,” she said. “Your heart breaks every single time you say goodbye to a dog. The healing really doesn’t begin until the new dog walks in the door.”

Jan Sabella is the current president of G.R.R.O.W. and, in spite of its many members, knows Babcock to be a standout among them.

“You have saints like Jane who will take these old dogs in and give them the best possible home until they pass,” Sabella said. “It takes a special person to do that. I’m not sure I could. I think I’d be a mess.”

Babcock also volunteers as part of G.R.R.O.W.’s intake team and helps those who surrender their dogs. They may do this for various reasons. One of the reasons is they are unable to afford to care for their pet.

“We’re getting a large percentage of our intakes from people who have lost their jobs,” Babcock said.