CONNECTIONS IN OUR MIDST

A SERIES OF ARTICLES ON PEOPLE, PLACES AND PERSEVERANCE IN YELLOWSTONE COUNTY

Written by Judy Hughes

A Forever Home

It is 5:00 am and things are starting to stir around my house, especially in the kitchen where Grandma Sandi is preparing the entrée of the day. Meatloaf, my favorite! Since it’s early and we have some time before breakfast, let me tell you a little bit about me…

I’m Ki, the gentle giant around here. I was surrendered to Help for Homeless Pets. They were doing the best that they could, but at 135 pounds, I was too big of a boy for the kennel I was in.

I walked in to Pooch’z B&B and felt like I hit the lottery. My weight is now down to a svelte 128 pounds! My smiles are genuine and my heart is filled with love for every human, dog and visitor that comes through these doors. I’m referred to as The Director of First Impressions.

We live in a house that sits on over 2 acres of fenced land on the west side of Billings. Every entrance is double gated to keep us safe so we don’t get out. All of us love the big yards and play area in the back of the property. It gives us lots of room to stretch our legs, fetch balls, and sniff to our hearts content. We have beds in every room so there is always a comfortable place to rest. We follow our humans around, so lots of exercise and work occurs throughout our day.

The best thing about life here is the unconditional love we receive from Marge, Bill, Grandma Sandi, the volunteers, and visitors. It is truly the best life possible!

LOVE

turns a bit greyer, and moves a bit slower, but love never grows old.

Ki and his friends were nice enough to show me around the place…

In January 2020, Pooch’z B&B was established as a 501c3 non-profit sanctuary for senior dogs, in need of love, protection, meals, rehab, exercise, and a permanent place to live out their final days or years. There are many reasons why these dogs were surrendered. Some have serious and expensive medical problems. Some of their humans went into assisted living, or for some other reason, couldn’t care for them any longer.

At Pooch’s B&B, these senior dogs are provided a safehaven from life’s stormy situations. All have had trauma in their lives and have struggled to be rehomed. But, unadoptable does not mean unlovable. Each of their stories is different, but now they are all living their best life in their forever home.

As I drove away from Pooch’z B & B, I felt so much joy and strangely… a sense of peace.