Almost Heaven

Almost Heaven Newest

So, what happens to some of the dogs and cats that pass through CHS that nobody seems to want?  Maybe the animal is too old, or has a chronic illness that is expensive to treat and, surely, will shorten the animal’s life. Understandably, some folks don’t want to give their heart to a dog or cat that seems to be near the end of its life. That’s really tough! Besides the veterinary expense, the heart-wrenching emotional cost when the loss comes so quickly can be so very hard to take.

They may be harder to place, and they may be here at CHS longer than most other animals, but some adopters will take these animals. This is the story of one such adopter who has taken many such animals, and the beautiful farm she has created that rehomes some of the neediest animals.

That farm is here in Jackson County, aptly named “Almost Heaven.”

For the animals lucky enough to live there it is as close to heaven as you can be while still here on earth. “Almost Heaven” is the creation of an equally special person: her name is Sharon.

More than 3 decades ago the property that is now called “Almost Heaven” was originally a 70-plus acre apple orchard. Sharon had a specific vision and design for this beautiful piece of property since it was first purchased by her. She has spent more than 3 decades making that vision a reality. Although she has a degree in Organic Chemistry, and no training in architecture, Sharon herself designed the sprawling home and outbuildings that are now built on the property. Now there are multiple barns, outbuildings, corrals, and chicken coops constructed where once there were just orchard groves.

Sharon also has a keen interest in landscaping and gardening. The 6-plus acres surrounding the home are beautifully landscaped and park-like. Of course there are vegetable gardens as well. All of this was designed and built while Sharon continued teaching AP Chemistry full time at a nearby High School.

At first, what visitors might notice is the peacefulness in every surrounding, both inside and outside the home. There is an unusual calm here that most anyone can feel right away. The 7 dogs–Taffy, Tater Tot, Miss Daisy, Bucky, Josie, Mr. Muggles and now Amy, are all happily lying around, snuggling with each other and with the dozen or so cats around the place.

Regionally, Sharon has been adopting end-of-life and senior animals from area shelters for decades. The first two dogs were black Labrador Retrievers, one of whom promptly killed one of the cats! Her one rule now for acceptance into “Almost Heaven” is that all the animals—dogs and cats—must get along with each other. Keeping the peace here is not just important—it’s everything. It is the magic glue that holds this place together.

Animal rescue has always been a major feature in Sharon’s life. It is almost impossible to add up how many animals have found their little bit of heaven here. There are almost always six or more dogs on the farm, and eight-to-twelve cats. Currently there is also a donkey, 1 llama named Carmel, 9 goats, and 50-plus chickens. Somehow there’s always room for just one more…and certainly nothing about the property seems overcrowded in any way.

Taffy is a young retriever that was rescued from the horrors of a puppy mill life. The dog is still timid and scared with strangers, but is getting better every day. Two of her dogs, Tater Tot, a retriever mix, and Miss Daisy, a Beagle, were found while stopping by an area home on completely other business. She certainly wasn’t looking for two more dogs.  Miss Daisy and Tater Tot were horribly underweight and housed in an outdoor kennel with no protection from the elements in the middle of a bitter Michigan winter.

The dogs were never let out of their kennel. Sharon didn’t think they would last the night without her help. She simply told the owners that she was taking the dogs with her. The owners agreed.  These two had a long way to go once they came home with Sharon. Both dogs had to recover their health. They also were not housebroken or socialized since they had not lived inside a home. Not too many rescuers will take on such a big task with animals that need everything! Over time, the two dogs adjusted and now are happiest playing with each other and all the other animals on the farm.

Bucky, a senior Rottweiler, who was adopted from CHS in 2016, and was only expected to live maybe another six months, is still happy and enjoying his life 2 years later at “Almost Heaven.”  Josie is a special needs retriever that originally was at Cascades Humane Society. Mr. Muggles, another retriever, was found when he was about 9 months old, wandering, and lost in the area. Lots of effort was put forth trying to find his original home, but it was never found. Nine years later Mr. Muggles is now a senior resident at “Almost Heaven.” Amy, the most recent addition to this pack, also came from Cascades Humane Society. Amy, a sweet Boxer, is between 8 and 10 years old. She fit right in immediately and is completely at home here.

But you never know what Sharon will rescue next. She works with many area animal shelters and always takes in the animals that need the most attention: the ones with ongoing, and sometimes expensive, medical needs: this can, at times, cost a great deal of money and time to keep the animal out of pain and alive.  Many of her rescues are senior animals that don’t have much longer to live. She takes home the ones nobody else seems to want. Taking care of the property and animals is a huge amount of work. Sharon has full-time help from Dana and Steve. It would be impossible to care for this place without their constant assistance and dedication.

Of the nine goats on the farm, two males came to Sharon as pets that could no longer stay at their first home. The other 7 are all spayed females. Sharon bought them to save them from the auction and eventual slaughterhouse. When the donkey first arrived as a rescue from an area auction he had a terrible abscess in his hoof that took 3 months of constant care to heal. It was touch and go for some time, but he’s fine now. Of the llamas, originally there were six of them. Five have passed from old age.

Over the past six years Sharon has adopted seven animals, both cats and dogs, from Cascades Humane Society. One named Molly, a retriever, only had two months of wonderful before she passed away. In fact, five of the seven animals adopted by Sharon from CHS are still happily enjoying their life at this special place.

Here at CHS we thank Sharon for giving so many animals the love and nurturance they need, that many other people may not be able to provide for so many animals. It’s plain for all to see that Sharon’s heart beats through every blade of grass at “Almost Heaven.”  This place is as close to heaven that’s here on earth for those animals lucky enough to find their way here.