Among the rural areas of New River is a dog sanctuary dedicated to rescuing dogs of an older generation.
"We are a senior dog rescue, we rescue dogs over the age of 10," said Emilee Spear, the founder of Rusty's Angels Sanctuary.
Emilee started Rusty's Angels about four years ago. She dedicated her rescue to her deceased dog Rusty who she rescued.
"He was old, he had everything wrong with him that you could think of, and I just knew that if I didn't adopt him, no one else would," said Emilee.
Emilee's home is smack dab in the middle of her sanctuary, where she is awakened by senior dogs who are either ready to get adopted or have retired.
"They [senior dogs] get to live out their retirement however long that may be... the sanctuary is their home for the rest of their life," said Emilee.
The sanctuary has already rescued 134 dogs and adopted out about 73. The rest have retired there.
All dogs must be over the age of 10 to be considered to stay at the sanctuary said Emilee.
"People surrender directly to our sanctuary, but at the same time we try to pull from Maricopa County, Arizona Humane and the surrounding counties to do our part," said Emilee.
It's a peaceful, quiet home for old folks, in this case senior dogs. There's a lot of rubs and even cradling to be done by the volunteers with the dogs.
"They sit outside with them, they brush them, they swing them on the swings," said Emilee.
Emilee said there's about eight senior dogs now that are ready to get adopted, but she mentioned how there is some hesitation from people wanting to adopt older dogs.
"If you put your feelings aside and focus on the gift that you're giving that dog for the end of its life -- it's going to be one of the most rewarding experiences you'll ever have," said Emilee.
Each dog at the sanctuary is loved, embraced and remembered. In fact, the sanctuary has a huge tree in the middle of Emilee's home decorated with wind chimes that represent each dog that retired there.
"When they do pass on, we hang a wind chime in their memory and on Christmas Day, we spread their ashes at the base of the tree," said Emilee.
Emilee believes that when the wind blows, the dogs that once lived there are visiting.
Recently, Rusty's Angels was awarded a $15,000-grant due to a campaign which focused on fearless females who are going out in the world and starting nonprofits.
“As far as women empowerment and being a fearless female, we are embracing it here at the sanctuary, it's a very proud moment," said Emilee.
It's doggy heaven on earth and we are loving every moment of it and so are the senior dogs there.
The sanctuary is open for donations and volunteers. If you would like to apply or donate, please click here.