Donation Sparks New Bunkhouse for Living Grace Canine Ranch
Whether caring for senior dogs, effecting change, or educating new generations of pet parents, Rhonda Minardi is on mission to help undervalued canines live their best lives. Her goal was accelerated thanks to a substantial donation from local business and civic leader Jack Garey.
A fellow dog lover, Jack was touched by a story about Rhonda’s vision of a 501(c)(3) sanctuary for displaced senior dogs on five acres in Bertram. Living Grace Canine Ranch is a permanent home for dogs labeled “adoption undesirable” or orphaned. All senior dogs are welcomed regardless of breed or challenges, and they find security, comfort, nourishment, unconditional love, and companionship. “It’s an admirable thing she’s doing, and I wanted to help out,” Jack says.
Jack and his son toured Living Grace while Rhonda described her vision of caring for dogs disregarded by society due to old age or illness. “Whether dogs or people, seniors are disregarded as if they have no value any more,” Rhonda says. “If dogs can only tell their stories, if we sit down and talk to older people, all they’ve gone through in their life just to be abandoned . . . It happens every day. That bothers me. Living Grace Canine Ranch is going to do everything we can to make these senior dogs’ lives enjoyable.”
After experiencing Living Grace, Jack told Rhonda, “Anyone can make a website look good. You are the real deal.” Rhonda remembers the tears in his eyes as he said, “I’ll help you.”
Thanks to his donation, Garey’s Big Dog Bunkhouse is expected to open mid-September and house up to 30 large canines. “We didn’t expect to be starting on another building this quickly. It’s amazing. I’m honored the Lord chose me to do this. He entrusted me with all these little lives because he knows we will do the right thing,” she says.
BRIGHT FUTURE
There are 34 residents at Living Grace Canine Ranch, and Rhonda has a heart for each orphan, emotional cripple, or medically needy dog seeking a quality life. “Unlike an animal shelter environment, it takes time to build a trusting relationship between human caregivers and old dogs of need,” she says. “As a nonprofit, we rely on ranch volunteers committed to sharing their love every week.”
As a grandmother to three young children, she is excited about a volunteer collaborative children’s storybook available in time for Christmas. “Our mission is to save, serve, and elevate senior dog’s lives. I’m hoping planting and fostering seeds of compassion at young ages will improve animal cruelty laws in Texas and encourage public awareness for humane animal treatment and conditions,” she says.
LIFE-SAVING MISSION
As a long-term alternative lifestyle solution to reduce traditional animal shelters’ financial and space burdens, Living Grace hopes to become a model. “Living Grace Canine Ranch exists because Texas animal shelters euthanize 60 percent of senior dogs, regardless of low-cost treatable health conditions. To end pain and suffering is one thing, but to take a life, simply to save money or because it’s most convenient, is morally wrong,” Rhonda says. “We’re setting the bar high here. Think of us as the canine version for your parent’s assisted living needs. We’re taking it up a notch and inviting traditional animal welfare organizations and government agencies to think broader.”
Living Grace asks for prayers, public financial assistance, and business sponsorships to help unwanted senior canines flourish in their golden years. To donate or volunteer, visit livinggracecanineranch.org.