Homer came into our lives on Christmas Eve, 2020. From the very beginning, it felt less like a coincidence and more like a quiet miracle. Since that night, Christmas Eve has become his Gotcha Day, a tradition we now celebrate with gratitude, reflection, and love.
Before sharing what Homer has become to us, it feels important to share who he was before he found his way home.
For the first eleven years of his life, Homer belonged to one person, his beloved Papa. Papa lived in a local nursing home, and Homer lived right beside him. We imagine Homer spending his days nestled close, soaking in the comfort of a familiar chair, a steady routine, and the gentle reassurance of a hand resting on his back. He was not just a companion; he was family. His medical records show he came to Arizona from out East when he was a puppy, and grew up in the nursing home; it was all he’d ever known.
When Papa passed away, Homer’s world collapsed. Suddenly, his peaceful world turned upside down. He moved from an abusive “free to good home” Craigslist respondent to a safer, third home arranged through Pathways Home, a local rescue organization. Although he was loved in his second home, the household's severe allergies meant Homer had to return to Pathways rescue once again. Loss, change, and uncertainty had already shaped much of his later life.
My dear sister Sharon (whom we affectionately call Jo), was fostering dogs for the organization at the time. Shortly after Homer arrived, she posted a photo of Homer on her Facebook page. I remember seeing it and feeling an immediate, undeniable pull. Something in his eyes reached straight into my heart. I asked Jo to bring him to our family Christmas Eve dinner. When I met him in person, I knew without question that he belonged with us.
It was love at first sight for Karen and me. My husband, Jim, also quietly stepped in, his heart opening just as mine had. Homer, however, arrived carrying a heavy sadness. His eyes held confusion and grief, the kind that comes from losing everything familiar. I could not bear the thought of him leaving. That night, I insisted he stay.
I made him a soft bed in our bedroom. Slowly, gently, he began to exhale. He stayed close, followed me from room to room, and before long, he chose me as his new mom. Trust did not rush in, it unfolded, one small moment at a time.
Those first days were almost silent. Then, about five days after he arrived, I heard it, his bark. Someone knocked at the door, and Homer alerted us. That single bark felt monumental. It was the sound of a dog beginning to feel safe, beginning to belong, beginning to understand that this was home.
Homer surprised us all with his gentleness, especially with our cats. Bea, the self-appointed boss, attempted to manage everyone, but Homer wisely ignored her entirely. Callie, our quiet sweetheart, formed a peaceful bond with him. Sometimes they would simply touch noses and sit together, content in one another’s presence.
As Karen reviewed Homer’s medical records, it became clear that he carried the kinds of health challenges often seen in senior rescues. He had been on a prescription gastrointestinal diet, suggesting a history of digestive distress. Physically, he was overweight, with a pronounced potbelly and swayback. He was losing hair and drinking excessive amounts of water. These signs raised concerns about possible endocrine disease.
Soon after arriving, Homer began urinating blood. Karen immediately considered a urinary tract infection, but more serious possibilities of a bladder stone or cancer could not be ignored. Because Homer was newly rescued, Karen was deeply mindful of protecting the fragile trust forming between them. She wanted to be his mom, not a source of fear or pain. We were thankful to have a VCA Emergency Care hospital nearby and took him there for diagnostic testing.
Bloodwork and an abdominal ultrasound revealed multiple serious conditions. One adrenal gland was enlarged, consistent with Cushing’s disease. His thyroid levels were normal. The ultrasound also revealed a suspicious, space-occupying mass in the bladder. In addition, Homer was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, prostatitis (with an enlarged and inflamed prostate), pyelonephritis, and chronic kidney disease. Five major diagnoses were made within the first week of him joining our family.
Karen immediately went to work doing what she does best. Homer was already being transitioned off his prescription dry food and onto a raw, kidney-supportive diet Karen co-formulated for Darwin’s Pet Food. Antibiotics were started to address the infection, and a spore-based probiotic was added to protect his gut. Karen implemented natural protocols to support his endocrine system and prostate health.
Five years later, every one of those major health issues has resolved.
More recently, Homer began testosterone therapy to help support his aging, testosterone-deficient body. The changes have been subtle but beautiful. Less reactivity toward male dogs. More energy. A lighter, prouder step. A dog who feels stronger in his body. We will be sharing more about this chapter of his journey in a future blog.
This past December 24, we celebrated Homer’s Gotcha Day with a party, complete with his favorite meat cake and family who love him. Homer turned eighteen.
In 2023, Homer also graced the cover of Karen and Rodney’s second book, The Forever Dog Life.
So why share Homer’s story? Because five years ago, we chose to rescue an older dog, and I want others to know what is possible. Senior dogs are often the last to be chosen in shelters, if they are chosen at all. Organizations like Pathways Home work tirelessly to find families for older pets who may come with medical challenges, but they also come with something extraordinary.
Homer embodies gratitude. He loves deeply. He protects fiercely. He communicates in his own quiet, very clear language, through gentle nudges, soulful stares, and small dances of joy. Rescuing an older dog has been one of the greatest blessings our family has ever known.
Would we rescue a senior pet again? Without hesitation, yes.
Today, Homer’s primary diagnosis is simply aging, something his mom and dad understand well. We move a little slower now. Our eyesight and hearing are not what they once were, and we all have moments of forgetfulness. Homer and Jim are both 85. I am 84. We cherish our twice-daily neighborhood walks together; Homer is a master sniffarian. Jim and I are master slow walkers, often with the help of walking sticks. Together, we are savoring life, one gentle step at a time
Absolutely yes, we would rescue an older pet again.
A Note from Pathways Home Rescue:
“We all remember the joy we felt when Homer found his forever home at the age of eleven. He truly hit the jackpot. Everyone at Pathways adored him, and we are incredibly grateful to Auntie Jo for fostering him and introducing him to Jeannine. It was clearly meant to be. Homer is a truly exceptional boy who has thrived in his forever home thanks to the love and care of Jeannine, her husband, and their daughter Karen. After a stroke last summer, Homer is back to enjoying walks and soaking up life. And remember, if you see him, don’t forget to ask for an autograph.”
With love,
About Karen Shaw Becker, DVM, CVH, CVA, CCRT
Veterinarian Dr. Karen Shaw Becker believes biologically appropriate food and an animal's immediate environment are essential in determining health, vitality, and lifespan. She has spent her career as a wildlife and exotic animal veterinarian and small animal clinician, empowering animal guardians to make intentional lifestyle decisions to enhance the well-being of their animals.
