This Woman Helps Struggling Pet Owners Keep Their Beloved Pets—Read Her Story

Mandy Lewis’ heart ached as she gazed at 8-year-old Clyde, an American bully who had just been brought into Albert’s Dog Lounge , the nonprofit she had started in 2018 to find foster homes—and hopefully forever families—for geriatric dogs.

The organization was named after Albert, a senior dachshund with congestive heart failure who Mandy had fostered, then adopted and loved during his final days. He’d found a special place in her heart and inspired the Whitewater, Wisconsin, mom of two grown children to help other dogs like him.

Now, looking at Clyde, Mandy felt the same pull on her heartstrings that she had for Albert. Nearly all of Clyde’s fur was missing and sores covered his body from head to tail. He desperately needed medical care, but with a severely autistic child needing constant care, his family didn’t have the time or resources to care for him.

“I’ll foster him myself,” Mandy said, fighting tears.

Blood tests revealed Clyde had low thyroid. “It stimulates his allergies and makes them harder to control,” the vet explained. Happily, with medication and daily therapy baths, Clyde was soon well on his way to recovery with his new forever family—Mandy and her ­husband, Darren!

Clyde was so well-behaved and affectionate, Mandy was certain his family must have loved him very much. It saddened her to know they had to give him up because of money. And for the second time, Mandy felt called to help.

With contributions from hundreds of Facebook followers, Mandy opened a pet pantry, Clyde’s Closet, on her property alongside Albert’s Lounge. She stocked it with pet food, cat litter, pee pads, leashes, supplements, medicated shampoos and other supplies necessary for a pet’s quality of life.

Among the hundreds of donations was a pet stroller, which allowed an elderly dog to join his family on one last camping trip. Another woman, who had five kittens, had lost her job. She’d found a new position but wouldn’t get paid for two weeks and was out of kitty litter. Mandy loaded the woman’s car with cat litter and cans of food. Before driving off, the woman thanked Mandy and asked, “Can I hug you?”

That’s a feeling shared by every client. Whenever a pet owner turns up, they’re always greeted with a lick and wagging tail from Clyde and a happy hello from Mandy—and leave with what they need to keep their pet—all free of charge.

“My dream is that one day there are no more pets that need to find new homes,” says Mandy. “Until that day, I’ll keep doing the little bit I can to help out.”

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