Most dog shelter visitors look for a bright-eyed pooch to be a lifelong buddy. For a few others, the goal is to love and care for sick dogs who have little time left.

These rare souls provide home hospice care to terminally ill shelter dogs. Medical treatment for these animals is so costly that shelters can’t afford it. Once animal control groups, shelter staff and veterinarians select their canine candidates, new hospice residents are admitted on a case-by-case basis.

From low-slung beds to other furniture accessible to frail dogs, a hospice home is all about the pooches. Animals do whatever they want, given their limitations. Home-cooked meals are prepared for all, and routine monitoring is provided by a visiting veterinarian.

Above all, caretakers shower residents with love through the end. That’s what it’s all about.