Close To Heaven

It’s easy to forget where you are, because places like this are supposed to be depressing - right? A “dog shelter,” a “pound,” for old dogs? So sad… but wait! Even before you walk in the door, you’re primed for delight. A row of oversized windows, shaded by a jaunty yellow‑and‑white striped awning sits at perfect eye level with the park benches out front. Instead of armrests, the benches sprout a parade of silhouetted dog heads, as if a pack of watchdogs were guarding the building. Between the giant windows and the front gate, a radiant glass mosaic of charismatic canine portraits and candy‑colored hearts splashes across the bright yellow façade.

That’s where I spotted the address - 750 Florida Street, San Francisco - and the Muttville Senior Dog Rescue logo: the rear view of a happy little senior dog, cane in paw, toddling toward a round yellow orb that could be a setting sun - or maybe a rising one. For thousands of us, that logo is shorthand for joy.

By the time the buzzer unlocked the gate, my friends and I were already enchanted by Muttville’s brand‑new headquarters. I’d visited the previous location (just a few blocks away) many times and almost always left with a new best friend - a bewhiskered grande dame in need of a retirement home. This morning we were just Floating Bi to check out the new digs, open only a few months. A shelter for surrendered, abandoned, or stray senior dogs may not sound like an obvious destination for some sunny morning fun, yet that’s precisely what it is.

Inside, we were greeted by a lovely woman with a little senior dog cutie snuggled in the crook of her arm. She reviewed the ground rules, asked us to sign in, and gave us name tags. “Please keep voices low,” she whispered. I perked up - my hearing challenges mean I sometimes speak louder than I realize. Visions of Wonka‑style retribution (nobody wants to roll out as a giant blueberry) kept me in check, but the building’s clever acoustical design did most of the work, muffling echoes and keeping the vibe serene for its lucky, temporary residents.

The joy here is palpable. Muttville isn’t merely spacious, spotless, and surprisingly quiet; it was imagined by superstar designer Ken Fulk. Founder Sherri Franklin - who materialized like Willy Wonka in her own happiness factory - explained that Fulk not only crafted the look, he generously opened his furniture warehouse so she could outfit the place with his whimsical treasures. The residents here are truly living in the lap of luxury! Fulk is also the mastermind behind another San Francisco favorite of mine - Saint Joseph’s Arts Society - a cultural hub and creative haven that offers inspiring multidisciplinary programming, engaging art & design exhibitions, and immersive events, all housed in a revitalized National Historic Landmark that once served as a church.

There are no cages at Muttville. Residents snooze wherever they please and mingle with visitors at will. Some walk right up for a sniff and a cuddle; others bask on plush beds or sunbathe in the courtyard. The campus is composed of several brightly painted buildings, each with its own purpose. Remember the rule: never scoop up a dog unless clearly desired by the dog - but I find I need to wrestle myself to not pull some of these adorable little old fur balls up to my chest as I tour around. So many are irresistible to me!

I’ve known Sherri for years. She began rescuing seniors in her own house, and her heroism hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2016, CNN named her one of its “Top 10 CNN Heroes” for founding Muttville. Things have only accelerated since then. In an average week, Muttville welcomes about 30 new seniors, sends 30 freshly adopted dogs off to new families, and nurses another 50 through medical care in preparation for adoption. Muttville is exclusively for senior dogs, defined as 7 years of age or older, and each dog is given thorough medical testing and treatment upon arrival. All of this is made possible by the generosity of donors, large and small. Muttville is closing in on their 13,000th placement - astonishing!

My own senior‑dog journey began after losing Sasha, the rescued Taiwanese street puppy I’d raised from four months old. Grief‑stricken but not ready for another decade‑plus commitment, I turned to Muttville and met Foxi  Nugget, a 13‑year‑old, 4½‑pound sprite with deformed front paws and she melted my heart instantly. Expecting only weeks together, I wrote her a bucket list: Palace of Fine Arts, Lafayette Park, Fillmore Street. Foxi conquered them all, tucked in a sling against my chest, and stayed for nearly a year - enough time to teach me that the length of a love story matters far less than its depth.

Next came Blini the chiweenie, my lap‑warming writing coach; Luna, a deaf hospice girl with dementia who outlived every expectation by many months; and Jane, a blind adventurer who created a mental map of our neighborhood that was accurate down to the tree stump! Each little old lady lived her final chapter engulfed in love and snuggles. Providing this for my little succession of senior dogs has been one of the most fulfilling and personally gratifying things I have ever done.

Muttville is a singularly magical place, but the senior dogs themselves are everywhere. Your local shelter almost certainly has a gray‑muzzled wonder waiting to amplify the joy in your life. Open your heart and home to a senior rescue dog. You’ll be amazed how quickly “the golden years” turn into diamonds you will cherish forever - long after you say goodbye.