OUR HISTORY - The Missy Foundation

Love and Care for Senior Dogs

A Foundation in honour of Missy

The Missy Foundation was formed to honour the memory of Missy, our most elegant golden retriever/Rhodesian ridgeback who passed away on September 2, 1994 at the age of 10 and a half. Missy redefined the meaning of life, love and selflessness, she was our own special angel.

Many of us, who are animal lovers, have had a “Missy” bless our lives at one time or another — that one unique friend who has taught us the real meaning of the words love, compassion, loyalty, intelligence, integrity, and honesty. Missy gave us so much that we wanted to give back in her memory.

Since 1994 we have provided a final refuge for dozens of elderly dogs that have found themselves homeless when they are at their most vulnerable.

Visit our In Memoriam gallery to meet those that graced us with their presence even for a short while.

We need your help!

We are the Voice of the Voiceless.
We must help those who cannot help themselves.

Remember:
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”- Aesop

What is your name?
Max

How old are you?
About 14, but I look much younger….

How did you come to be at Missy Manor?
I have had 5 previous homes due to symptoms from my severe separation anxiety disorder such as chronic barking. I am a permanent resident here at Missy and I am one of the pack policemen…. I like to keep everyone in line by following them around and barking at them.

Who are your buddies?
I have had 5 previous homes due to symptoms from my severe separation anxiety disorder such as chronic barking. I am a permanent resident here at Missy and I am one of the pack policemen…. I like to keep everyone in line by following them around and barking at them.

What is your favourite thing?
I have had 5 previous homes due to symptoms from my severe separation anxiety disorder such as chronic barking. I am a permanent resident here at Missy and I am one of the pack policemen…. I like to keep everyone in line by following them around and barking at them.

Do you have any health issues?
I have had 5 previous homes due to symptoms from my severe separation anxiety disorder such as chronic barking. I am a permanent resident here at Missy and I am one of the pack policemen…. I like to keep everyone in line by following them around and barking at them.

What do you need?
A psychiatrist…

What is your name?
Landon

How old are you?
About 10ish.

How did you come to be at Missy Manor?
I am a black pitbull X who was in a high kill shelter for 9 months. My number came up for the needle but most luckily I was given a last minute stay of execution. I charmed my rescuers and they had me temperament tested, turns out I could teach Dale Carnegie a thing or two. Sadly due to prejudice against black dogs and pitbulls not one person wanted to adopt me. However, turns out I won the doggy lottery and am now a permanent resident of Missy Manor. (He is amazing and y’all lost out.)

Who are your buddies?
Emma, Cherie, Bella…

What is your favourite thing?
Bones, people who hug me.

Do you have any health issues?
I am developing arthritis and will need meds and possibly more dental work.

What do you need?
Someone to walk me.

What is your name?
Bella

How old are you?
Not sure, maybe 8 or older.

How did you come to be at Missy Manor?
I was abandoned with a young man who had offered to look after me for a short time. He tried but was overwhelmed with my health issues and him trying to get educated. When I arrived I was suffering with immune mediated haemolytic anemia.Then I contracted another immune system disorder, masticatory muscle myositis. This condition disfigured me and rendered me unadoptable.

Who are your buddies?
Steve my two-legged butler, Thumper, Cherie, Landon – I am quite popular but very exclusive.

What is your favourite thing?
Steve.

Do you have any health issues?
I have a weakened immune system due to my rough start.

What do you need?
I need ongoing medication and health checks due to my compromised immune system.

What is your name?
Buffy

How old are you?
15+

How did you come to be at Missy Manor?
I was surrendered to a shelter and then saved at the last minute and was sent in error to another rescue organization who was contacted Missy on my behalf because of my dental issues and my age. I had 22 teeth pulled upon arrival. I was in so much pain I couldn’t eat.

Who are your buddies?
Lola, and Uncle Peter – we are known as the mean girls – but, I am all bark and no bite.

What is your favourite thing?
Lola

Do you have any health issues?
Only my lack of teeth.

What do you need?
Help paying off my dental bill. And a lap to snuggle on.

What is your name?
Wally Womble Wombat the 1st

How old are you?
15+

How did you come to be at Missy Manor?
I was rescued from the grim reaper because I was sooo cute, even though I was deemed unadoptable at 15. I was moved to a rescue within Missy’s canine community and they asked if it was possible for me to join the Missy tribe as it is a forever home for elderly dogs ( me elderly pffft).

Who are your buddies?
Maisey, Eddy and Annie.

What is your favourite thing?
Snuggling in a ball under a blanket, and running around.

Do you have any health issues?
What could be left they took my manhood and my teeth. Actually I am in great shape but I would like my nuts back…(!!)

What do you need?
Nuts and implants…

What is your name?
Maisie

How old are you?
About 13ish

How did you come to be at Missy Manor?
I think my human passed away and none of her family wanted me. I didn’t know what outside was but was trained to pee pads. (I go outside now though – mostly, but still appreciate the pee pads). I am very curious and study human behaviour deeply I am working on a PHD in humanology -a controversial area amongst my breed.

Who are your buddies?
Everybody, I love everybody except on my bed….

What is your favourite thing?
Snuggles and sleeping and following people around.

Do you have any health issues?
Yes, I have some dental work, and immunity issues with a reactive lymph system.

What do you need?
Mostly I need monitoring which happens here and some help with affording my immunity medications.

What is your name?
Violet

How old are you?
About 13ish

How did you come to be at Missy Manor?
I was picked up and dropped at a shelter as a stray dog, sadly that happens too often to old girls like me. I was full of ticks, fleas and matted hair and my long beautiful hair had to be shaved off. I used to be beautiful but now people call me cute. I am very protective of my food, I like to eat alone as I eat slowly to savour every bite of the delicious fresh food I get here. Do not put your fingers near my bowl – this cute placid demeanor can shift in an instant. However, I love to be snuggled. I sleep a lot now that I don’t have to watch my back anymore.

Who are your buddies?
I don’t have any close friends but get along with everyone. I am the consummate diplomat (unless there is a food bowl) and I suck up as many snuggles as possible.

What is your favourite thing?
Snuggles

Do you have any health issues?
Yes, I do. I lost all my teeth on the left side of my mouth and the ones on the right are resorbing into the bone and my kidneys are not what they used to be – still, mus’n’t grumble… worse things happen at sea.

What do you need?
Help paying off my existing dental bill and lots of snuggles – do you know a professional snuggler?

What is your name?
Dakota aka Cody Bear

How old are you?
Almost 16

How did you come to be at Missy Manor?
I was given up at the age of 12.5 because I have separation anxiety and allergies. The allergies were cleared up with a diet change and the separation anxiety has diminished due to the constant attention and companionship.

[We have treated her severe arthritis with platelet rich plasma therapy with great success. She continues to receive prescription, homeopathic supplements.]

Who are your buddies?
Landon.

What is your favourite thing?
Patrolling the perimeter and barking at anything that might be a threat including deer, squirrels and the wind.

Do you have any health issues?
I am on gabapentin for nerve pain related to my arthritis.

What do you need?
I don’t really need anything but the questionnaire didn’t include a pet peeve; mine is invasion of personal space, in case you were wondering.

What is your name?
Redford

How old are you?
Fifteen

How did you come to be at Missy Manor?
My previous human was a breeder who ended up needing to quickly find alternatives for her dogs. All of my kennel mates died under mysterious circumstances…. I categorically deny any involvement in their deaths.

Who are your buddies?
I was in love with my latin lover Lupee (now deceased); we had a special bond. I put up with Tracker.

What is your favourite thing?
Attention! I must confess I am an attention addict. I will do anything for a bit of love.

Do you have any health issues?
I am in pretty good shape but do have arthritis.

What do you need?
Attention!

What is your name?
Bobbie

How old are you?
About 14, but I look much younger….

How did you come to be at Missy Manor?
I was found wandering the streets of Bakersfield (honestly) but I was unclaimed. Everyone thinks I am a boy but I definitely identify as a girl.

Who are your buddies?
Cherie, Bella, Max – I actually get along with everyone (unless they come near my food).

What is your favourite thing?
Food, food, treats and food….Did I mention food?

Do you have any health issues?
Everyone calls me fat, but I am an emotional eater due to my time living on the streets of Bakersfield. Fat acceptance for dogs too!

What do you need?
Everyone calls me fat, but I am an emotional eater due to my time living on the streets of Bakersfield. Fat acceptance for dogs too!

What is your name?
Tracker

How old are you?
About 15 at least

How did you come to be at Missy Manor?
My humans went through a lengthy and intense divorce.

Who are your buddies?
Prince but he passed away. I get bullied a bit by some of the other dogs but its ok, they don’t appreciate my genius.

What is your favourite thing?
Food, and rifling through rubbish, humans, tracking scents. (that’s why my name is Tracker).I have an uncanny ability to climb tall buildings if there is a chance of food.

Do you have any health issues?
Due to a car accident several years ago I have multiple skeletal issues involving my spine, pelines and back legs. As a result I can be nippy if I am touched in the wrong place. I also have severe separation anxiety.

What do you need?
DRUGS! No, seriously I need walks, and human attention.

What is your name:
Lil’ Eddie

How old are you?
13

How did you come to be at Missy Manor?
I have been pretty secretive about my life before the shelter, I don’t believe in over sharing – kid’s today pffft. However, you look like a good egg so I will tell you my story… I was born on the downtown eastside, I never knew my father, he was long gone by the time I was born. Before I came here to Missy I was on death row, My demise was imminent, my life was flashing before my eyes, a torrent of sadness and abuse. It was over and the next thing I knew some lady was taking me to a place with big iron gates – it is paradise. But, I have trouble luring the other dogs into poker games

Who are your buddies?
I have some personal space issues and hate to be picked up but I like Wally, Max, Annie and Redford.

What is your favourite thing?
Screeching, and going on walks.

Do you have any health issues?
Screeching, and going on walks.

What do you need?

What is your name:
Annie, they call me orphan Annie but I prefer Annie Oakley

How old are you?
I feel like a million years old but I’m around 14…

How did you come to be at Missy Manor?
Well, let me tell you. I was a dog living at a cat rescue. The nice lady who ran the cat rescue asked Missy if they would take me as it seemed more appropriate. Before that I came from Taiwan where they butchered my vocal chords – consequently I sound like Minnie Mouse – which isn’t terrible as I always fancied a career in a new-wave band.

Who are your buddies?
Eddie, Violet.

What is your favourite thing?
Being picked up and carried around.

Do you have any health issues?
Not now that they took all my teeth out, I only have four teeth left.

What do you need?
Not now that they took all my teeth out, I only have four teeth left.

What is your name:
Doyle

How old are you?
Sixteen and counting…

How did you come to be at Missy Manor?
I was a much loved member of a family and then tragically my human mum was diagnosed with brain cancer which went in to remission, then it came back and it was considered best for that I go to a home where I could continue to be loved, cared for and be a priority. Due to my age adoption would have been difficult.

Who are your buddies?
I am a pretty new here but I love to cuddle up with Violet.

What is your favourite thing?

Do you have any health issues?
Age related kidney issues but currently we are exploring if anything can be done for my horrible teeth.

What do you need?
Dental work. And I need to get accustomed to my new home… and lots of love and attention from my new human servants.

What is your name:
Lola

How old are you?
Two and a half…

How did you come to be at Missy Manor?
I was rescued through an animal seizure from hoarders who collected dogs through a fake rescue organization (yes that happens). The woman would just throw food in to the basement and because of that I developed aggressive tendencies, and have a few food issues.The incident was horribly traumatic – but I am getting a little better now with my human slave Peder. I still don’t like people to pet me, but I do like sitting on laps.

Who are your buddies?
Buffy, Bitsy, Peder

What is your favourite thing?
Lil’ toys….and Peder

Do you have any health issues?
Age related kidney issues but currently we are exploring if anything can be done for my horrible teeth.

What do you need?
Toys….and a haircut

What is your name:
Mia

How old are you?
About 8 years

How did you come to be at Missy Manor?

Who are your buddies?
Molly

What is your favourite thing?

Do you have any health issues?

What do you need?