Chris and Mariesa Hughes are a couple who have an unconditional love for dogs. So strong is their passion, that they decided to give 19 dogs a second chance at the same time, covering all veterinary expenses, even if the dogs are adopted by other families.
Best Gifts for Your Loved Ones A couple rescued all unwanted senior dogs from animal shelters.
This act of love and compassion is not new for Chris and Mariesa. They have rescued more than 600 elderly and special needs dogs, especially those who have been abandoned or handed over to shelters. Currently, they share their home with more than a dozen canines, to whom they provide a life full of love and care.
To ensure that their dogs enjoy the best quality of life, Chris and Mariesa have created a space specially adapted for them. Their home has a large fenced garden so that the dogs can run freely, personalized kennels with their names, a hydrotherapy treadmill and a laser treatment system to relieve pain in joints and wounds.
In addition to their home, Chris and Mariesa founded the Mr. Mo Project, a nonprofit dedicated to finding loving homes for dogs and covering their lifetime medical expenses. The inspiration for this project was born from the loss of Chris’ dog Moses, an elderly Pitbull who had to be surrendered to a shelter due to his advanced age.
“Moses was with us for 22 months before he died of spinal cord cancer,” says Chris. “We realized how expensive it was to care for an elderly and sick dog, so after his death, we decided to create the Mr. Mo Project to help other dogs who needed medical care and a loving home.”
Thanks to their dedication, Chris and Mariesa have become a point of reference for animal shelters. Many shelters con
tact them for help with sick, injured or special needs dogs. Chris and Mariesa accept all dogs who need help, regardless of their condition or age.
The couple’s effort requires a large financial investment. Last year, they spent $700,000 on veterinary care for their dogs. “Shelters call us, we take the dogs in, and we provide all the financial care until we find the right home for them,” Chris explains. “We are responsible for their medical care for the rest of their lives.”
Despite the hardships and huge effort involved in caring for so many dogs, Chris and Mariesa do not regret their decision. “It’s bittersweet because it’s not always a dream, it can be extremely stressful, but it’s amazing to see all their hard work and see all these adorable, loved dogs who deserve a second chance,” Mariesa says.
“However, when there are dogs you can’t save, the minimums are incredibly low and it really takes a toll on you.” Plus, it’s always disorganized. “I’d like to say ‘no, we’re not getting any more dogs,’ but I also didn’t expect two more so quickly.”
“Seeing their transformations makes all the effort and pain worth it. It’s really challenging, but it’s definitely our life’s work.”
