Lily's Legacy
A Legacy of Love: How Lily's Legacy Gives Senior Dogs the Joy They Deserve
A special sanctuary in Northern California operates on a different principle: that every dog, especially those in their golden years, deserves to live their final chapter filled with love, comfort, and dignity. Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary, inspired by a single, profound connection, has become a national beacon of hope for large-breed senior dogs.
It all began with Lily, a senior dog who spent only four months with founder Alice Mayn. Despite her short time there, Lily left an indelible mark.
"Lily came with a very clear message," Mayn recalls. "There are a lot of senior large breed dogs out there who need help, and you need to help as many as you can." Despite her own medical troubles, Lily was "an amazing girl, full of love for all people and creatures."
That spirit now infuses every aspect of the sanctuary’s daily operations. "To this day, she is very much a part of our sanctuary," Mayn says. "We try to care for our pups as if they are our family dogs." This philosophy translates into comprehensive medical care, with volunteers on-site from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, plus two live-in staff members ensuring 24/7 care. The goal is twofold: to ensure the dogs are as healthy as possible and to provide full transparency to future adoptive families.
From Local Sanctuary to National Movement
Lily's impact didn’t stop at the sanctuary’s gates. In 2019, Lily's Legacy launched Saving Senior Dogs Week, an annual campaign that has since blossomed into a year-round national initiative, Saving Senior Dogs USA (SSDUSA). This collaborative network connects senior dog rescues across the country, ensuring that pleas for help never go unanswered.
"Rather than having to say 'no, we can't help you,' SSDUSA enables us to give people a reliable resource to continue their search," Mayn explains. The sanctuary alone directs about 75 people per week to the SSDUSA website, creating a vital safety net for senior dogs nationwide.
The Gift of a Peaceful Final Chapter
One of the sanctuary’s most tender programs is its "fospice" (foster-hospice) care, which provides end-of-life homes for terminally ill dogs. The organization offers 24/7 emotional and logistical support to the foster families, covering all veterinary costs.
The program sometimes yields beautiful surprises. Buddy, a yellow lab diagnosed with cancer and given six months to live in December 2023, was placed in a fospice home on a ranch. "Buddy is still thriving," Mayn shares. "I think he has decided that with the love and medical care he is receiving, his life is so good that he just isn't leaving."
Championing the Underdog
A key part of the mission is challenging the misconception that puppies are preferable adoptees. Through a strong social media presence, Lily's Legacy highlights the benefits of older dogs—their calm demeanor, established training, and immense gratitude. They focus not on convincing people who want puppies, but on reaching those open to the unique rewards of senior dog adoption.
A Community Sustained by Compassion
As a primarily volunteer-run organization with about 80 dedicated volunteers, financial stability is an ongoing effort, especially with medical costs like Chance's recent $6,100 surgery. The sanctuary relies on a mix of grants, donor support, and community fundraising. "We deeply appreciate every dollar that comes in," Mayn says, emphasizing the continuous nature of their fundraising efforts.
Ultimately, the work of Lily's Legacy is a powerful lesson in reciprocity. "The most important thing senior dogs can teach us is gratitude," Mayn reflects. "They are always 'here' for their humans, and we need to be 'here' for them."
She adds that adoptive families often report profound experiences, with senior dogs teaching children about "loving, caring for, respecting, and the value of older animals and people." In providing a soft landing for these venerable animals, Lily's Legacy strengthens the bonds of shared humanity, proving that every life is worth celebrating, right to the very end.
Watch Lily's Legacy official video.
To learn more about Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary or to support their mission, visit https://www.lilyslegacy.org/. To find a senior dog rescue anywhere in the USA, visit savingseniordogsusa.org.