The journey of senior dogs can often be filled with challenges. Many of them enjoy a warm home for most of their lives, only to find themselves abandoned in shelters by their owners during their most vulnerable moments.
Even if these dogs are given a chance for re-adoption, potential adopters often gravitate towards puppies or younger dogs, leaving senior pets overlooked.
This unfortunate reality, along with various other hardships faced by older dogs, motivated the Hughes family to step in and assist senior dogs in need.
Despite facing numerous challenges at the start, today this couple of dog enthusiasts has built a commendable platform dedicated to helping older dogs.
Moses, The Pittie
Before Chris and Mariesa Hughes joined forces, they each experienced the joy of having several dogs during their childhood. However, they could never have envisioned how profoundly their lives would be influenced by their bond with dogs once they were married.
Their inspiring journey begins with the adoption of their first dog: a senior Pit Bull named Moses. He was an older dog who was likely to be overlooked at the shelter.
That changed one day when Chris saw him in his kennel and felt compelled to rescue him. He resolved that Moses’s remaining years would be filled with love and happiness.
For a year and a half, Moses brought joy to the lives of Chris and Mariesa. Their world was a beautiful blend of companionship, revolving around one another.
This bliss continued until a life-altering moment when Mariesa noticed a change in Moses’s behavior.
“On Valentine’s Day in 2014, Moses seemed unsteady, and I just felt something was off,” Mariesa recounted in an interview with The Dodo.
They had to sell their hot tub to afford an MRI, but the results were devastating – Moses was diagnosed with a spinal cord tumor and the vets predicted he had only four weeks left to live.
“We tried every treatment possible—acupuncture, herbs, oils, and endless love until he passed away five weeks later,” Mariesa shared tearfully during an interview for Rachel Ray Show.
These heart-wrenching moments led to a transformative experience for the couple and gave rise to something beautiful.
Birth Of The Mr. Mo Project
Just days after Moses’s passing, while driving, Chris turned to Mariesa and remarked: “We should rescue senior dogs and cover their medical needs.”
Those words were transformative. Though Mariesa was initially unsure, the pain of losing Moses fueled her determination. Thus, an extraordinary mission was born from a simple conversation in the car.
Initially, their efforts were modest, consisting of visiting shelters to distribute supply packages for senior dogs. However, they soon began adopting older dogs from local shelters in Clifton Park, NY.
Although they faced financial challenges initially and often had to sell personal items to cover bills, they persevered. Gradually, they began remodeling their home and acquiring necessary equipment for the dogs they took in.
“We adapted our home to cater to the needs of our dogs,” Chris explained on Rachael Ray Show. “We installed ramps for access and added traction surfaces to assist dogs with mobility challenges.”
Mariesa mentioned that they also purchased oxygen tanks for the kennels, along with a suction unit and hydrotherapy equipment vital for their elderly residents.
Despite numerous obstacles, they transformed their home into a sanctuary for senior dogs, ultimately leading to the establishment of a recognized initiative – the Mr. Mo Project.
One of the most significant accomplishments of their initiative is the establishment of a network of foster homes, which has provided refuge to hundreds of senior dogs they have rescued over the years.
To date, they’ve successfully rescued over 500 senior dogs, not just from Clifton Park, NY but from various shelters across the U.S. and beyond.
From Passion To Life Mission
While their path to success was paved with difficulties, this couple now lives the dream that has become their life’s calling.
“Witnessing the transformation of dogs from their shelter days to a life filled with love and joy is simply amazing,” Chris expressed to The Dodo.
Mariesa added: “We feel truly fortunate; it’s our passion, and it brings us so much joy.”
With shelters overflowing with dogs of all ages, especially seniors, their mission is undeniably demanding. However, doing what feeds their spirit makes every challenge surmountable.
This couple of dedicated dog lovers have no regrets about any decisions they’ve made and eagerly anticipates the new challenges ahead.
“We’re so grateful for the opportunity to do this,” Mariesa joyfully concluded.
