The heart breaking reality is that for many of the dogs that enter the Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project in the United Kingdom, this will be their very first experience with real love and compassion.
“Each year, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized (670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats). The number of dogs and cats euthanized in U.S. shelters annually has declined from approximately 2.6 million in 2011. This decline can be partially explained by an increase in the percentage of animals adopted and an increase in the number of stray animals successfully returned to their owners.” – ASPCA
A large number of those dogs are elderly dogs that have been abandoned or surrendered in their final days.
It is an absolutely devastating and unfair reality, one that Nicola Coyle could not accept. That is why she opened the Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project. Her hospice is devoted to those abandoned dogs that have, at most, six months to live. It is in her incredible hospice that these precious animals are spoiled and treated with an incredible amount of compassion and gentleness.
In there final days, these special pups are are celebrated, loved, and given as much affection as they want. They are treated to delicious treats like ice cream cones, steak and fast food. They are given warm, soft beds in a safe home with someone to dote on them.
“It can be an utterly heartbreaking job. But I just can’t bear the thought of them spending their final moments without the love they deserve.” Coyle explained.
“We’ll also take them down to the local pub – it’s really dog-friendly, and they’ll get a steak dinner too. Many have not led a very nice life too, used for breeding or guard dogs, so when they’ve become unwell, they’re not useful anymore and left.” Coyle said about making the rest of their lives as amazing as possible.
“We’ll also take them down to the local pub – it’s really dog-friendly, and they’ll get a steak dinner too. Many have not led a very nice life too, used for breeding or guard dogs, so when they’ve become unwell, they’re not useful anymore and left.” Coyle said about making the rest of their lives as amazing as possible.
Many of the dogs in her hospice come to her when they are very ill, sometimes with as little as a few months left to live. While some manage to defy the odds under her incredible care, there are some that end up only having a few weeks with her. She aims to make what time they have left as comfortable, fun, and enjoyable as possible!
“The longest I had one is one year, the shortest was two weeks. It’s so rewarding when you can make those times special. I don’t know when their birthdays are, so we throw all of them a birthday party.” Coyle stated.
“The longest I had one is one year, the shortest was two weeks. It’s so rewarding when you can make those times special. I don’t know when their birthdays are, so we throw all of them a birthday party.” Coyle stated.
 | Nicola Coyle explained that she spends approximately $500 on each dog, in an effort to make their final days as amazing as she can. The majority of her funds come out of her own pocket, but she does host fundraisers when she can. She also accepts donations via Paypal over at the Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project! She hosts fundraisers on her Facebook page to help support these special dogs in their final days. “They just want to feel loved and safe. I really believe they should get a nice ending.” - Nicola Coyle |
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