Click on photo to donate a bed to Destiny for Dogs, Inc. or order one for yourself.
800-752-5308
Catherine Louis has helped foster canines with Destiny for Dogs for about two years. (Photo courtesy of Mitch Herring)
By Jennifer Shapiro-Sacks, Special Correspondent
Name: Catherine Louis
Age: 61
Residence: Royal Palm Beach
Birthplace: France
Family: Husband, Robert Louis; daughters, Juliette and Caroline Louis
Career: Owner of Bibi’s Doggie Boutique in Palm Beach
Organization: Destiny for Dogs is a nonprofit dedicated to assisting seniors in keeping their dogs in their homes. It provides food, supplies and veterinary care, short-term foster care in the event of medical and emergency situations, and help with the rescue and placement of dogs in need.
How long have you been volunteering there?
Two years but have been rescuing animals all my life.
Why do you volunteer?
To help find homes for dogs that have been abandoned through no fault of their own.
Why did you choose this organization?
They are ethical and really care for the animals. I have a carte blanche to do what I think is best, and JoAnn Goodrich (founder) is always there to help and support.
Describe your volunteer role.
I generally will foster a dog. Sometimes I even go and pick him up from the people who are surrendering him and then will bring him to work with me so that I can evaluate behavior, issues, doing a little training, and re-balance him with direction, comfort, food and discipline. They respond very well to this. Then we find him the perfect home with JoAnn’s networking. I also bring the dog to my doggy boutique, and that way the dog gets lots of exposure. The dogs are in a more natural environment, and I can tell the potential adopter lots about the dog’s likes and dislikes.
What are your goals when you volunteer?
To help the animal — that is my only goal. I can intervene directly and have the satisfaction of knowing that a good dog is in a good home.
What challenges have you faced?
Sometimes people don’t see the dog. They see the age. That is sad because I have adopted 10-year-old dogs that lived a full life with me and gave me much happiness for seven more years.
What does your organization need?
Always funds and foster homes.
Is there a moment that stands out that made you think, “This is why I volunteer?”
Every time I get a dog a home that I know is right. Even when I give up hope and guess that the dog will be mine forever, destiny steps in and the perfect home comes along. I have learned to trust the universe.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Many of the [rescue] groups are overwhelmed with lots of dogs that need homes, and many of the people work a full-time job, so [please be patient]. Also, Animal Care and Control is lambasted for being kill shelters, but the sheer amount of volume of owner surrenders is disheartening. Animal Care and Control does its very best by calling rescue groups every morning to try and save as many pets as possible. People need to understand that if they won’t care for their animal, who wants to? Be responsible pet owners and enjoy your pets. They are wonderful.
For more information, visit www.Destinyfordogs.com or call 561-313-2005.
Copyright © 2014, Sun Sentinel
Frankie’s foster mom loved him so much she has decided to keep him so he can live happily ever after with his sister Gracie. Thank you Barbara for taking such good care of Frankie and showing him real love. Welcome to the “Foster Failure” gang.
Have you a kitty in Heaven, Lord?
Is there room for just one more?
Cause my little kitty died today;
she’ll be waiting at your door.
Please take her into Heaven, Lord.
And keep her there for me,
just feed her, pet her, love her, Lord,
that’s all she’ll ask of Thee.
Audrey’s Foster family just could not let her go so they have become official members of the “Foster Failure” family. Welcome to the family!
Dana Owens Underwood
(1949 – 2014)
Dana Lynn Underwood, 65 of Hypoluxo, FL passed away Wednesday, September 25, 2014. She was born in Washington D.C. to Theodore C. and Betty V. Owens on June 1, 1949. Dana did not just live life, she attacked it. Dana graduated from FSU where she met her husband John and was a great supporter of the Seminoles. After spending many years working at the National Enquirer she joined her husband and established a real estate appraisal company in Lake Worth, FL. She and John worked together for 35 years. Dana had many stages in her life that she guided John through. In the early years of marriage it was tennis 7 to 8 times a week. Dana was an avid fisherwoman, she belonged to Ladies Let’s Go Fishing and would fish in locations all over the world. Dana and John boated together in South Florida in many different types of craft over a 40 year period. When her fear of being in the water overwhelmed her, she became a certified diver. When she recovered from her first bout of cancer her first comment was “I want my Harley now.” She rode for many years and was a member of Palm Beach HOG. She was also an avid pool player and participated in local poker leagues. Dana was devoted to her pet dogs and spent many years training her animals. She is survived by her husband, John; beloved labradoodle, Darby the therapy dog; father, Theodore Owens; sister, Melissa Ruth (husband, Robert); brother-in-law, Kelly Underwood (wife, Trish); sister-in-law, Leah Ann Pickett (husband, Todd); nephews, J.R. Underwood and Phillip Pickett.
Sadly, little Buddy went over the Rainbow Bridge today where he is now happy and pain free.
09-29-14
I think those are smiles on those dogs!! Being rescued is one of the greatest joys a dog and their new families will experience. I hope everyone can join the rescue family.