Morgap, an 18-year-old dachshund, found his way to Lee County Domestic Animal Services (LCDAS) in Fort Myers, Florida, following the passing of his owner. Recognizing the urgency of finding a peaceful place for Morgap to spend his remaining days, shelter officials reached out to Senior Paws Sanctuary (SPS) for assistance.
Kate Reidy, Morgap's foster mom, shared that LCDAS had asked SPS to inform them about an adoptable elderly dog and sought their help. Upon laying eyes on Morgap, the SPS organizer was deeply moved and immediately fell in love with him.
All dogs at SPS are placed in foster homes, and Morgap was fortunate to be welcomed into Reidy's home, where he joined her 10-year-old dog, Charlie. Initially, Reidy expected Morgap, given his age, to be a slower and sleepier dog, but he defied those expectations.
Reidy exclaimed, "I swear Morgap has Benjamin Button's disease!" Over the past year, he's become more lively, energetic, and his personality has blossomed in his new family. "Most people don't believe he's his age!"
Morgap thrived in the care of his adoptive family, embracing every aspect of his new life. Reidy even provided him with steps to help him climb onto the couch and bed, and he reveled in exploring his new surroundings.
Reidy mentioned, "He loves attention. He likes to be as close to you as possible and sometimes comes up to sniff your face to ensure he knows who he's sitting with! It's really adorable."
While Morgap's first 18 years remain a mystery, the foster home environment allowed him to develop a newfound enthusiasm for exploring the world. To nurture this curiosity, his foster mom compiled a bucket list of activities for him. So far, Morgap has accomplished numerous items on his list, including:
- Meeting a sergeant and becoming a senior assistant.
- Attending a baseball game.
- Meeting Santa.
- Sitting on a motorcycle.
- Participating in beach yoga.
Despite his age, Morgap has checked off many items on his bucket list, and he savors each adventure his mother takes him on.
According to Reidy, Morgap's adoptive mom, he relishes exploring new places and scents, which is why their excursions have become a way for him to encounter new smells and meet new people. He also enjoys the attention and affection he receives from strangers.
Nevertheless, Morgap still has several items on his bucket list that he aspires to complete, such as riding in a hot air balloon, enjoying a dog spa day, and meeting Ellen DeGeneres. With his 19th birthday approaching, Morgap's biggest birthday wish is to receive birthday cards from all around the world. (His adoptive mom also hopes some of these cards will contain a dollar to contribute to his friends at SPS).
While most 18-year-old dogs might opt for a life of pampering, Morgap is determined to continue exploring life to the fullest, and he and his mom won't stop until their last day. If you'd like to send Morgap a birthday card, you can mail it to 1413 Caywood Circle South, Lehigh, FL, 33936. Make it an extra special one for this incredible dog.
