When Alice Mayn, a longtime foster for NorCal Golden Retriever Rescue, got word that a 12-year-old golden in ill health had been picked up wandering the streets of Santa Rosa, she rushed to the Sonoma County Animal Shelter to spring her.
Lily proved to be one of those life-changing dogs who basked in the affection of her human and canine family and returned the love many times over during the four short months she lived with Mayn and her family in Marin County. Inspired by Lily and her past experience fostering elderly goldens, Mayn decided to start a rescue in Lily's honor, dedicated to other large-breed senior dogs who found themselves abandoned or in need.
Founded in 2009, Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary gives older dogs a safety net by either finding loving homes or caring for them for the rest of their lives. In the works: acquiring a rural property where dogs can be housed in safety and comfort as long as they need to be there.