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Donte’s Den: A Living Legacy for Treasured Canines

By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa

Photo by Tina Golder

Illustrations by Animal Arts

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.
~Anatole France

What will happen to my dog when I’m no longer able to care for him? It’s a disconcerting thought to pet parents whose loyal companions have become ingrained into the fabric of their lives. When a cherished canine becomes a part of the family, daily care and nurturing becomes a way of life. But when one life ends or transitions, what becomes of the other?

Donte and Marsha

It was an issue that, realized Marsha and Don Panuce, didn’t present a simple solution. The couple wondered who would care for their dogs once they were no longer able to do so. “We have wonderful friends who would, without a doubt, offer to take our dogs,” asserts Marsha. “But once we started making a list of the specifics of their daily routines, we realized that we were providing certain amenities that others might not.” She laughs, explaining, “Our dogs swim in the pool, sleep on the bed, have access to furniture; some might say they’re spoiled, but we believed we were enhancing their lives.” Long-term care for their dogs became an issue that, the Panuces realized, required a thoughtful solution.

Named after one of their own beloved Standard Schnauzers, Donte’s Den was born of a need that, Marsha and Don were convinced, was largely unmet across the country. “Caring pet parents need the peace of mind that our most precious companions, who have contributed so much to our lives, will continue to be well taken care of when we’re no longer able to,” says Marsha. Pet owners who pass away, become incapacitated or unable to care for their dogs, even deployed military personnel may find themselves with limited options for the ongoing care and well-being of their canine family members. Donte’s Den offers a warm, nurturing and playful environment where dogs will live according to specific standards established by their owner-parents.

April 12, 2012 was a pivotal day for Donte’s Den: the foundation acquired a verdant multi-acre property that will house a master-planned campus complete with well-appointed living quarters, clinical laboratories and medical facilities, indoor play areas, outdoor agility courses, serene gardens and water features. Visitors and volunteers will travel on golf carts; Marsha explains that this will preserve the atmosphere she and her husband envisioned. “This is a soothing and serene home,” she says. “All we want our dog residents to hear is the sounds of their own barking and play.”

Donte’s Den is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2014; Marsha’s thoughtful approach to growth reflects her vision of longevity and the very legacy that the foundation honors. “I’m old fashioned,” she smiles. “I won’t turn the soil until the funds are in place.” While individual pet trusts will provide for each canine resident, private donations, including the Panuces’ funds, are largely driving the foundation and will ensure that Donte’s Den offers a loving home for dogs for years to come.

Marsha believes that interest in Donte’s Den will extend well beyond Sarasota and Manatee Counties, and anticipates a nationwide response. Her interactive website has been designed to educate and inform pet parents on the foundation’s developing news and building progress.

Relinquishing the care of a beloved pet is never an easy process, but thanks to Donte’s Den, dog owners will have the peace of mind in knowing that their cherished canines are living well. “We are committed to providing good, happy lives for our residents,” asserts Marsha. “We wouldn’t want anything less for our own dogs.”

Donte’s Den Foundation, Inc.
Marsha Panuce
(941) 329.6848
www.DontesDen.org

Campus:
6801 283rd Street East
Myakka City, FL 34251

Mail:
4505 18th Street East
Bradenton, Florida 34203

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