About Pattie's Waggin' Tails

Our story began because of one incredible person — my sister, Denise.

Denise was born with Down syndrome and lived her life with type 1 diabetes. In her later years, she became wheelchair-bound and required 24-hour care. It truly took a small village of family, friends, and caregivers to make sure she had everything she needed. But if you knew Denise, you know she was our angel.

Despite the challenges life handed her, she was always happy — a natural comedian who could light up a room with laughter. She had a gift for showing others what truly matters in life: love, resilience, and joy. Denise never felt sorry for herself. She faced every obstacle head-on, with a smile and a sense of humor that made you forget she even had limitations.

She taught us that it’s not about what happens to you in life — it’s about how you respond to it. You can feel sorry for yourself, or you can face it with courage and make the best of every moment. She showed us how to live.

When Denise passed away, our home was painfully quiet. The laughter, the routine, the sense of purpose — it all felt gone. Something was missing.

We had always been devoted animal lovers, with three dogs of our own at the time, and years of experience caring for senior dogs, including those in hospice and end-of-life stages. Caring for Denise had shown us the beauty and fulfillment that come from giving your heart completely to another living being who depends on you. It was clear what our next caregiving journey would be.

It started with one simple belief:

Take in the senior dogs who have nowhere else to go.

It didn’t take long before that belief turned into a mission — and a home full of wagging tails. Before we knew it, we had ten senior dogs living under our roof, each with their own story, each deserving of love and comfort in their final years.

We quickly realized that what we were doing was more than fostering — it was giving them a soft place to land.