Faces of No-Kill: Storybook ending for a senior dog

Once upon a time, in a land of red rocks and desert sunsets, there lived a silvery-haired dog named Jessa. With her wise eyes and gentle soul, she had become enchanted by life at her home-between-homes, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary’s Dogtown. Her days were filled with kindness — caregivers who adored her, friends who walked beside her, and a place where she was truly known. Yet somewhere out there awaited a castle she could call all her own.

At 11 years old, Jessa had settled into the beauty of her life at the Sanctuary. She had soft beds to rest in, warm sunbeams to nap under, and a chorus of familiar voices that greeted her each morning. She delighted in her slow strolls, the way the desert breeze carried scents of sage and juniper, the rustling of leaves as critters darted about. She had her favorite caregivers, the ones who knew just how she liked her ears scratched. She even helped them with their daily tasks.

[A senior dog’s journey home]

“One of the funniest things about Jessa was that after she had finished each meal, she would take her bowl in her mouth and carry it to her bed and lick it clean,” laughs caregiver Tom Williams. “We called this the prewash cycle, and we definitely appreciated the help getting the dishes done.”

Life at the Sanctuary was good. It was safe. It was full of love. But for all the love that surrounded her, there was still room in her heart for something more: a family of her own.

Then, like a thread of fate weaving through time, Jessa met Tari Crema. Tari was visiting the Sanctuary and took Jessa on an overnight stay, a special program that allows visitors to take dogs for an adventure outside of Dogtown.

It was during this time — watching Jessa settle in beside her, feeling the warmth of her presence — that Tari fell in love. But life has a way of complicating things. Tari’s home situation at the time just wasn’t right for Jessa. And so, with a heavy heart, she had to say goodbye. That might have been the end of the story.

But love has a way of finding its way back.

Tari lost her beloved senior dog, Howard, a few months later. His passing left an ache in her heart but sparked a new purpose. “My husband, John, and I started thinking about adopting another dog to pass along Howard’s love,” she explains. “I just knew Jessa would be a great fit for our home.”

[Faces of No-Kill: Beloved senior dog goes home]

The couple embarked on an epic journey from their home in Illinois, traveling 1,600 miles — one way — through valleys and forests, over rivers and hills, so John could meet Jessa. She stole his heart instantly. Her gentle soul and wise eyes spoke of countless tales, and in that moment, they knew she belonged with them. “There’s something about senior dogs that tugs at our heartstrings,” Tari says.

Jessa stepped into her new home like a queen into her castle. Now she has daily walks, cozy naps, and all the couch snuggles she could ever want. And, as she curls up in her new bed, Jessa hasn’t said goodbye to the Sanctuary — she’s just carried its love forward into the next chapter of her happily-ever-after.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.