HISTORY
The foundation began in 2004 with its mission to provide a loving and permanent home for dogs that are deemed un-adoptable because of age and health and would otherwise be unnecessarily euthanized.
The programs - The Sanctuary, the Bentley Grants, or A Home for Every Aging Heart - will find or provide a place where senior dogs can spend the rest of their lives in comfort, with plenty of food, medical care, warm beds, and constant love.
A wonderful for-profit business called Top Dog Country Club opened a few years earlier (2000) by a former vice president of Marriott International, Jean Beuning. Jean’s skills as a successful executive contributed to the development of the exemplary Top Dog Country Club. Understanding the components needed to provide quality service and care from her days at Marriott, Jean Beuning expanded these skills and attributes to include her four-legged guests. This luxury resort, or “un-kennel,” provides a country-club stay for dogs while their people are vacationing, relocating, or traveling on business. Continuously booked, averaging 99% occupancy, Top Dog Country Club is in great demand among dog owners who want the security of knowing their dog will get five-star care.
Jean and her husband, Curt, are both founding board members of Top Dog Foundation which has its own board of directors. They were joined by remarkable supporters as volunteers to help advance the work of the foundation, bring more interested people to the cause, and undertake funding steps that have been remarkable in a short time. A Board of Directors was formed and the foundation received continuing support from the public and regular donations from the “un-kennel” Top Dog Country Club.
In mid-2010, discussion about making a greater current impact through rescue/adoption programs resulted in a new way to help older people in our community who may miss the companionship and social time that once came from their work, a younger family, and a neighborhood from the past. Isolation and loneliness are predominant emotional challenges for our “seniors” – and to no one’s surprise, the same is true for senior dogs !
Put two senior beings together – a senior person (or family) and a senior dog – and the hearts do the rest. Companionship, attention, love, unconditional acceptance, and shared affection become a regular part of life for the dog and the person. Through the kindness of senior social services and other public awareness measure we locate seniors who wish to add to their home and their life – and who understand the blessing and the obligation of an adoption. Through rescue groups and shelters, veterinarians, public information, peace officers, and other sources we learn of senior dogs that as strays, abandoned, or surrendered, are expected to fare poorly among the large “pool” of potential adoptees. Age or health conditions typical in senior dogs do not improve their odds that are already poor because adopting families often favor “younger” dogs.
Bentley is a perfect example of the dogs whose lives will be changed with Top Dog Foundation. He was found wandering the streets of Shorewood Minnesota on a cold December day in 2001. He was picked up by animal control, with no tags or collar, and was taken to a kennel that does impound work for the city. After several weeks with not a call or claim, he was going to be given up to a shelter, where he would most likely be euthanized, due to his age (guessed to be around 11) and health issues (dry eye, blindness, and severe dental problems). He had been wandering the streets for some time, evidenced by the condition of his coat and his eyes. He was so matted, and he could hardly open his crusted eyes. Saturday evening, January 5, 2002, I received a phone call from the owner of the kennel that had him. I have a reputation as “The Sheltie Lady”. She told me about this old dog and informed me that he would probably be euthanized unless a home was found soon. She inquired as to whether I might know of a family that wanted an older Sheltie. Without a thought, I told her my husband would be there within the hour to get him. When Curt picked him up, this scruffy little hobo dog clung to him, as if he finally felt safe and warm. His coat was a mess and he smelled terribly. He snuggled in Curt’s lap and did not move the entire ride home. Over the next few days, I found evidence that he had been abused. He was deathly afraid of stairs and his ribs were tender to the touch. He very quickly learned about love and safety in our home, and fit in with our family. We named him Bentley (for a “Rolls Royce” life). He wags his tail constantly, and is the most grateful dog I have ever known . . . . just happy to be alive and happy to be loved. He has eye medicines of one sort or another, seven times each day, in an effort to salvage what little vision he has left. I have no idea how old he really is and the specific details of his life, only that he is a happy kid and a constant reminder to us about unconditional love, about trust, and that his little life was worth saving.
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