Albert and Baby: The Importance of a Man’s Best Friend

Health Challenges

A warm, nutritious meal can be lifesaving. But for Meals on Wheels, nutrition is just the start.

Albert, a homebound senior living in Colorado, can attest to that. About two decades ago, he was diagnosed with diabetes. At the time, Albert worked as a security guard, a job he truly loved. But as his diabetes worsened, he developed a severe leg infection that soon spread, consuming his entire limb and eventually forcing doctors to amputate it.

In the months to follow, Albert’s immobility cost him his beloved job. With little retirement savings, he tried to make ends meet with his Social Security checks, but it was never enough. Albert’s pantry was empty, and he didn’t have the money to feed himself. With no other choice, he sold his car to pay for groceries.

Because it’s painful to stand on his prosthetic, Albert was unable to leave the house to run errands, shop for groceries, or visit with friends and family. That means he spent most of his time at home alone.

By the time Albert was introduced to Meals on Wheels, he had lost a considerable amount of weight. Hunger was such a force in Albert’s life that one Christmas he asked for gifts of sandwich meat. “I just want more food,” he said.

After realizing the gravity of Albert’s situation, program staff jumped into action, equipping volunteers Diann and Fred XXX with extra meals for this isolated senior. Volunteers also organized monthly food pantry appointments for Albert to make sure he ate three square meals each day.

Baby and Albert

But food was only one of Albert’s challenges. Because of his mobility issues, he also struggled to keep his home tidy and care for his Chihuahua mix, Baby. During a delivery, Albert told Diann and Fred that animal control officers were threatening to take Baby away. There wouldn’t be anything worth living for if that happened, Albert said.

Heartbroken for Albert, who’d become an important part of their lives, the couple rallied other volunteers to help clean his home, making it a safer place for him and his pup. Meanwhile, volunteers and employees paid for a groomer to clip Baby’s toenails. Albert’s family also took the dog to a free vaccination clinic. Thanks to this concerted effort, Albert was able to continue living with his best friend.

This story illustrates why Meals on Wheels is about so much more than delivering food. To millions of seniors like Albert, our local programs provide warm, nutritious meals. But they also provide comfort and companionship when people feel like they have lost all signs of hope.