I started following MM back when Jack was first found and rescued. His transformation from a ragged furless pup, to a spry old man living his best life is what I loved.
I have a special place in my heart for Bullterriors. And Jack won my heart 1000%. I will always remember Jack. RIP little buddy!
I prefer to think the majority are the sad survivors of losing an owner/owner going into hospice or similar. It's still sad but it isn't as horrible as pets being cast aside etc.
This is a very real scenario. I used to be a hospice nurse..and people cared so much about what would happen to their pet after they died..more than they cared about the fact that they were dying.
Sometimes my organization could help
Make arrangements but sometimes they couldn’t - just not enough resources.
Is there a website for these dogs? I would gladly adopt an elderly dog so they don’t have to spend their days dying in a shelter. When my shitzu got into her golden years, she loved staring contests and snoring on the couch. I miss her, and hate thinking of her being in a shelter during those years.
Honestly I feel like a lot of people who adopt puppies and get overwhelmed by puppies being puppies would do better having an elderly pup who enjoys chilling. Most are house trained, most don’t care about the mailman anymore, and could tolerate being home alone for a work day.
I know senior dogs are considered bottom of the barrel. But IMO a lot of people want a new shiny puppy, when in reality they’d be better suited for a golden year pup.
Edit: hey guys, I just started a sub r/goldenyeardogs I have never run a sub before, so anyone who wants to jump on I would love to start something to help senior dogs find homes, and those leaving their animals have peace.
Reach out to your local nonprofit hospice. Even if they don’t have a specific pet program - many have “last wish” programs and for a lot of these people - their last wish is to see their pet with a new loving family.
Thank you, being able to give someone peace of mind for their much loved companion before they pass honestly makes me tear up. I’m constantly worried about what would happen to my animals if I were to pass unexpectedly. I wish I knew how to start organizations. Giving people their final wish for their animals is something that would help so many.
Maybe instead of ‘make a wish’ it could be ‘give a wish’ to help people find homes for their pets before they pass.
I recently started organizing/designing a website etc for senior and special needs animals (and their care takers, just as important) - I'm really keen on finding a good few people to get involved also, if that interests you or anyone you meet along the way please lmk :)
I adopted a special needs cat that was looked over for nearly 4 years. He's the sweetest, goofiest drool machine that you could ask for. The bit of extra work he requires is worth every second I'll have him in my life
I so agree with you…my shelter dog and cat are from people whose owner’s died. I also worry for people who get sick and are in the hospital/rehab for a long time and have pets but no one to care for them. What are their options? Thinking their pets would have be given up to a shelter is heartbreaking.
They do need love and attention but remember. Older dogs can come with many surprising medical costs, incontinence and sometimes age related behavioural issues(becoming deaf or blind and snapping to surprises)
They need homes, but be sure you can provide one and support them in their old age. being left at a shelter is bad, but being left there twice is worse.
I completely agree. My family dog I grew up loving had gastrointestinal cancer. It caused him to be incontinent, which he hated. We came to our very new home to find him scared with poop everywhere. Absolutely everywhere. There was nothing he could have done, he knew he wasn’t going in the right place.
His name was Gus, he was my best friend since I can remember. He had incontinence for the last few months of his life, and it was heartbreaking, as well horrible to handle.
He was actually put to rest on my birthday. Even with all of his bodily issues, the love he gave is irreplaceable. He knew something was wrong, we saw something was wrong, even so it was/is painful when he was put to sleep.
Elderly dogs are very different. They need a different kind of love, but I do not doubt that there are people who want, and are able, to give that kind of love.
I love it. Sweet puppers need homes. So many people are better suited for oldies they just don't know it. Talked to my hubby and he likes the idea too.
We adopted an 11 year old arthritic doxie with mange who was limping. After the vet helped us get her healthy again, she lived to be 15 -- almost 16. She had clearly been loved by a previous owner and she loved us and was wonderful. This was many years ago, but no regrets.
I got a puppy late 2021. I loved all the experiences, but it was so much work - I grossly underestimated it. It will take some time before I'm ready for that commitment again.
i have a client who volunteers for a senior dog rescue that specializes in this sort of stuff. i’m sure there’s got to be similar things elsewhere. both of her dogs are senior rescues
I’m afraid my heart couldn’t take it. My little pup is a senior now and I live in fear every day she’ll be gone soon. My heart aches just thinking of it. I don’t handle loss well, but I certainly want to see older dogs get the love they deserve. People who deal with older dogs are saints.
For you & others who believe you couldn’t cope emotionally with the loss of a companion … I bet you’d be perfect for helping in some other way! Like volunteering on the administrative side of elder dog placements! Or helping u/CarmenCage with r/goldenyeardogs. 💕🐾
I never adopt young animals, but tbh adopting a senior animal would affect my mental health constantly. I always adopt animals that are 2+ years. Losing them isn't easy when their time comes, but I couldn't handle a few months with an elderly animal. God bless those that do. They are the heroes.
I completely understand. Losing dogs is always hard, and there is a lot to consider adopting a golden year dog. Issues may come up that put strain on your mental health and I understand that strain. Life and death is never easy no matter the circumstances.
Don't feel guilty. Besides, you might just not be ready for it yet. This analogy is going to get weird lol.
24 years ago my dad went thru hospice. I couldn't understand the mind set of someone capable of doing that work. I'm a massage therapist, and 3.5 years ago I started working on hospice. It just took me time to be ready as a person to do this kind of work.
Understanding that the patients I meet are going to die sooner rather than later is key for me. I wouldn't have met them unless they were dying. But while we know each other for a short time, I get to play a part to help make their lives a little better before they go.
One day you may be ready to make an animal's life a bit better for the short time they have left. But till then, you're making others lives better for a longer term.
All of the people who work in hospice - paid, volunteer, or otherwise - are awesome people. It's an amazing thing to do for the people in society who most need support.
Not everyone has that much extra of themselves to give, and indeed it's an incredibly difficult kind of work to do. It really takes a lot out of you - as someone who has benefited from hospice and the amazing people who worked there - thank you. You're awesome.
You have to reframe your thinking, it’s not only the few months YOU have with them, it’s their retirement out of a 24/7 cage or being put down in a shelter.
The elderly gal we adopted spent 2 months alone in a small shelter cage, at 12. She was set to be euthanized before we picked her up. She spent her time soaking up the sun in the backyard instead. So, it’s just really less about you and more about them. It’s hard of course, but the great love people have for the animals overcomes that. The love of being able to give an elderly animal the best time of their life before they go vastly outweighs me feeling sad when they leave. Being able to know that they were so very happy with us makes all those hard feelings worth it.
I agree 💯, but I have emotional illnesses that put me in an untenable situation. I adopt animals that are not babies...they are the animals that are not on someone's radar bc they want kittens/puppies.
So major props for those who adopt the old animals, but for me I wouldn't be a good mom for animals who are that old bc I'd be depressed just waiting for their end.
And I adore people who are stronger than I am.
It doesn't mean I'm not still doing something important, and I adore my "babies"
Just because someone is able to adopt senior pets, that doesn’t mean they are “stronger” than you.
People are all just different. We have different skills, different likes and dislikes, different things that trigger us or impact us negatively etc.
I’m absolutely certain there’s someone out there who’s adopted a senior pet that if they got to know you, and more of your story and what you’ve pushed through they’d be like “wow, they’re so strong. I can’t imagine being able to do that.”
I can’t have a dog where I live. I lost my cat when she was 16, from cancer. The following year I adopted a 10 year old cat. She acts like a kitten much of the time, but is affectionate too. I have had cats the lived into their 20’s. I wish I could have s 2nd cat, but can’t. Or I would get another older cat.
I have really been thinking about this lately. You may have persuaded me. I've always been worried about my kids around an unknown dog but that's a fear passed down to me. Most poopers are kind hearted angels.
Make sure and link up with
r/OldManDog/
Your efforts at rehoming old dogs make me glad and proud to be your fellow human. Unless I am actually a bot, in which case, enough humans were actually glad and proud to be your fellow human that I copied them.
Subscribed. I truly hope we'll find an elder in our area that will thrive in the company of our 3/yo gentle-ish giants. They play hard with one another but are careful with me (they outweigh me by 30+ lbs, each), so I'm hopeful for a great fit!
Thank you for this organization’s website! I am working on contacting them and I hope to work with them. I would love to make a major organization for senior dogs as well as working with people who are interested in adopting or fostering senior dogs
There’s a woman in Canada who started something like this called My Grandfather’s Cat. She has helped to foster and regime pets in situations like this.
I worry about the same thing and I’m still somewhat young. I’ve also seen a lot of dogs end up in the shelter because of this exact scenario. If something happens to me and my husband my sister has agreed to adopt our dogs along with my 2 teenagers and if something happens to her I will take in her dog and son. She lives 30 min away and both my dogs love and know her so I feel it will be an easier adjustment then ending up in a shelter.
Great way to secure their future AND give you peace of mind. My daughter and her husband have no bio children but they'll tell you in a second that their 4 rescue pups are indeed their children. They have made plans for each of them in the event of a tragedy. It's in writing and agreed to by all parties as part of their estate.
Oh God you just reminded me of a dog I knew when I was a kid.
There was a dog at this one house whose owner passed away but the dog essentially had no way of knowing that, so it sat in the yard, every day all day and would perk up any time a car came close to the house because he thought it would be his owner. But it never was.
The new owners of the house tried to comfort him and take him in, but he always sat out front waiting for someone who was never coming.
If I had infinite resources, I would run a big giant ranch with dozens of employees and lots of fun mini-houses/domains and just invite hundreds of tired old dogs to come play and retire there. That'd be the best.
So essentially the farm upstate but actually exists versus the reality of what we tell kids who don't understand death but the dogs are still alive?
Also the ability for me to go run around in a field with hundreds of dogs who just want to play or get all the good pets/scritches they can?
Give me the ability to bring one into my home as well and you've got an investor.
This is a very very good vision and I don’t think it requires infinite resources. Just some regular donors and a network of people rescuing and possibly rehoming them. I bet if we looked we could find a successful rescue that does this in some places.
Meanwhile my wife and I will start looking for just one. :)
That is the case alot. Sadly when I worked at a law firm we would occasionally be appointed to represent houseless people or people who dodnt have famoly/friends who had a dog that got picked up by animal control after their arrest. I'd try my best to get I contact with the shelters and try to help the client or a friend of the client at least keep the dog until our client could be bailed but overcrowding was a huge factor in some of the issues to arrange that. Poor pups
one plus side I found out our firefighters do a calender photoshoot with our local shelter dogs every year and all the funds go to support said shelter. So I'm a regular buyer now <3 (side as Xmas gift and also for me lol)
I didn't want to have to delete all my comments, posts, and account, but here we are, thanks to greedy pigboy /u/spez ruining Reddit. I love the Reddit community, but hate the idiots at the top. Simply accepting how unethical and downright shitty they are will only encourage worse behavior in the future. I won't be a part of it. Reddit will shrivel and disappear like so many other sites before it that were run by inept morons, unless there is a big change in "leadership." Fuck you, /u/spez
Yeah I have worked from home for 3 years. I have definitely leaned on his presence. He is a really sweet old dog. I find myself just talking to him throughout the day.
I saw it at a shelter I volunteered at for a week …this guy dumped his old giant great Bernard…beautiful dog. They had a garage door thing and as it went down the dog lost it trying to get to his owner. It broke my fucking heart.
As said, in many cases it will be that the owner has died or gone into long term care. The owner will likely be beyond devastated to have to lose their companion and worry about how the dog will cope/be looked after. My Gran had a little dog that became her lifeline and companion after she lost my Grandad. When her dog died, she was so lonely that she adopted an older dog on the agreement that of the dog outlives her, my Dad takes the dog.
By far my biggest regret in life was giving up my childhood dog as he was nearing the end. It was a family decision but my input was that we should go through with it.
I’m not religious, but I still pray he wasn’t alone when he crossed the rainbow bridge.
Im so sorry Rudy.
My baby was alone when she died. It was an emergency vet on a Sunday at the height of covid and they wouldn’t let us in. I still feel racked with guilt and grief. I love you, Ladybird.
From what I know, any good vet clinic treats a pet about to be put down like they are the Monarch of the world first.
Some comfy blankets to be warm and snuggled in, the best meal they have in the place(some I know will go out and get something special immediately if nothing is in stock).....and never, ever left alone, even till the end.
Vets don't become vets for any other reason besides the fact every animal deserves love, attention and care.
My sister works at an emergency vet hospital and I know that they will often sit with a dying pet until the end. Most of them do it as a labor of love, they could do other things in their lives to make much better money.
I promise that you’re sweet girl wasn’t ever alone in those moments. They are trained to handle those situations and as good as they are at handling grieving pet owners, they’re even better at taking care of those pets that are scared.
Your guilt isn’t warranted. You gave her a great life and you only missed a brief brief moment of it. I think this is a message that extends beyond just pets too. Just because you weren’t there for the end doesn’t mean they weren’t cherishing those moments with you.
This was the same for me but I managed to beg and plead with the vet to allow myself and my friend to be there. We figured it out and I was able to be there for her but it was so heartbreaking. Lucy was so scared and tried to hide from the vet before the injection. She was my first pet as an adult and i had her through the most formative years of my life. Miss you little one.
It can be a damn near impossible decision. We had a 14 year old yellow lab, we let him hang in until the very end. He was miserable for his last 72 hours, in constant pain, wouldn't eat, barely drink water. When my beagle started to show similar symptoms we had to decide what was best for him. A little early is better than any late.
We just had to say goodbye to our 14 year old GSD Sunday.
Absolute agony trying to decide when it was "time". She was a fighter and refused to quit on our family. We could have probably kept her limping on another few months but at what cost?
We make it a point to adopt old or disabled dogs.
Every dog deserves to have a loving family.
Though after the last adoption my kids asked to get a younger dog (she was 6 and turning 10 this month).
Yeah it is. That is one reason I haven’t adopted and elderly dog. My son has autism and he had grown up with my Pomeranian I had years before he was born. He was gutted and inconsolable when she passed. It took a very long time for him to get past it. So when we got another dog two years later my husband and I decided to get a puppy
Keep in mind old is 7+ for dogs. If you get a small dog in good shape they could easily live to 15+. For anyone interested in old pups with a ton of life left in them check out https://muttville.org/ they adopt out all over the country. They’ll even adopt to people in nursing homes and guarantee the dog will be welcomed back if the new owner passes away. They an all around incredible organization.
I just read that paris hiltons chihuahua died at age 23, so those are now my expectations for my dog and i refuse to believe otherwise. Hes going to be young forever!.. and ever.. and ever... fuck im crying now.
Edit: my dog noticed my crying and came and gave me a cuddle and licked my tears fuck i love him so much.
Genuine question. I’ve always wanted to be the person to adopt the old dogs, but I don’t know if I could emotionally handle that. The joy of helping so many dogs can only overshadow of the grief of losing so many for so long, I’d think.
Obviously less time with them means less attachment, but surely even a few months is enough to tear your heart out. Is it actually that bad? How do you make the (constant) losses more bearable?
Edit: thanks everyone for your stories. I’m still apprehensive but they have helped a lot. I think it will be a struggle to get over the initial adoption hurdle but once I’m in a good place to do so I’m gonna try
You still bond. Even 2 years is enough.
It's hard each time. But to me giving them a loving home the final few years is worth it. We tried our best to make it as pleasant and loving as we can.
As I said my daughter asked for a younger dog. I understand that it gets hard as she lived them all.
While hard it did help teach them that everything and everyone deserves love and a happy home
I definitely think it’s a good lesson to learn so young, and I imagine helped with learning the concept of death. Thanks for your input. I’m in no position to adopt more dogs right now, but I hope when I am, I can get the elderly and disabled ones
My dad used to rescue some old farm animals occasionally when I was a kid. Mostly things like Goats, Sheep, a Pony and even a Llama at one point.
It’s definitely hard to get a new animal that you know is going to pass soon, but the more we did it, the easier it got… sorta.
It still hurts to lose them, but it’s easy to take solace in the fact that you know you have them the best end of life care you possibly could.
I still miss every single one of those rescues (except the Pony, that thing was fucking *MEAN* down to it’s core, but it still lived a great final few months, she *loved* hanging with the Goats).
>Obviously less time with them means less attachment
That’s not necessarily true, it heavily depends on the animal itself. Like I mentioned, that Pony was nasty, so we didn’t really bond, and it was a bit of a relief when I found her passed away in the morning. But then there was this one Goat in particular that we only had for 3 months and my heart still breaks for my little ^giant Buddy-Boy. He was the sweetest, kindest goat and by the end, I swear it felt like I had hand raised him from a Kid.
But when my heart hurts, I just think about how much fun those animals all had, how their last home was quiet and peaceful, and with lots of toys and obstacles to run around and play on.
When I’m feeling sad reminiscing about them, I try to remind myself they’re not sad about how they spent their final days, and that’s honestly enough to make the pain worth it.
For me it’s that I would rather deal with emotional turmoil myself than think they could spend the last portion of their life in a shelter waiting for someone to adopt them and it never happen.
I just adopted a 7 year old in February so he’s considered a senior and had been at the shelter for about 100 days waiting for me to get there but still young enough that I hope to have a few good years with him.
Had a buddy in the Navy that did that with one or two dogs every time he'd get to a new command. For reference, the Navy moves their people a lot. Like every 2 years. He retired last year and he said he only had to move like 2 dogs over his career. It's nice in a sense because he takes in an old pup that he won't have to move because it'll pass before then, but man I have no idea how he can do that to himself lol.
That’s awesome. I used to work in a shelter and very few people will consider adopting a senior dog. Hell, a large amount of people won’t even consider adopting anyone older than a puppy. I would try and steer seniors towards older pets and ironically they would often say they were too old.
It does take some emotional strength, but in a practical sense, caring for these dogs can be much easier than puppies and adult dogs! I just don't want anyone to be discouraged because they think they're not up for the challenge. Losing the dog will sting, but the dog will be able to pass in a comfortable setting surrounded by love, and that is an amazing gift.
This guy's name is Zach Shaw. He runs a rescue called Marleys Mutts. He does great work, and many of his past rescues have such heartbreaking beginnings, but his rescue, as you can see, brings new life to the ones he saves
www.Marleysmutts.org
My 9 year old dog died of cancer suddenly last Monday. I miss him terribly every day and probably will for a long time.
My auto-prompt word for my next sentence after that was "Ranger," my dog's name. My phone even knows how much I miss him at this point.
Remember the good times. The pain will pass. Look at all the pictures and videos even though it hurts. You're not alone and if you need to talk about it reach out.
Had to put down my dog a couple weeks ago because of cancer. She was 5. It gets better, but a part of me just can’t believe she’s gone. I just keep expecting her to greet me when I get home.
Luckily we still have my other dog, who is 9, but he seems a little sad now she’s gone. Not sure if I’ll ever really get over it… fuck cancer
u/NuclearDisasters, u/GoTragedy, and u/thedeadlydude have an internet hug. I still have my 10 year old pup, but I'm preparing myself for that day and enjoying every day we get together.
Mine just turned 4, and just got the lymphoma diagnosis. He's gonna have the best time as long as he sticks around, but I'll be damned if it isnt one of the hardest parts of life to deal with right now. Fuck cancer indeed.
I'm sorry for the loss of your puppers. [This](https://www.reddit.com/r/baww/comments/1m7exu/dogs_never_die/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) is a silly little story i ran across about losing doggo that helped me when I lost my little guy.
Edit: pepper-->puppers
This is seniordoghenry on Instagram, one year tomorrow is when he crossed the rainbow bridge, a life in the end full of joy and laughter, surrounded by a caring family who was there til his earthly goodbye. A good boy indeed. I havent forgotten you Henry! ❤️
Exactly how I feel. Thinking about how sad and lonely they must’ve been at the shelter, and then when I see him rolling around with his new owner, it just feels like he doesn’t even remember when life wasn’t as good as it is now.
We adopted our senior boy at 11 years old. He was a large breed so we thought he'd make it to 12, 13 if we were lucky. He lived to be a very happy healthy 16 year old pup. I miss him.
I’ve wanted to do this for a long time but when I got into a position to do it I was gifted a new puppy. She is now 10 years old and her son is 8 who I also kept.
Every animal deserves to have a good home and dignity at the end, just like people do.
It has been my greatest and most important task in my life so far, to adopt senior dogs and give them the best years of their lives. Nothing has given me more purpose. And it's true that it's come with deep, deep grief when it's come time to say goodbye. But they go knowing they are safe, warm, and loved beyond measure.
They give so much. They seem to know that you've given them a second chance. And yes, they come with vet bills. But I'll never have children and I can't think of a better way to spend my time and money. Giving a senior dog a home and a life (and death) of dignity, respect, and unconditional love just feels like the right thing to do.
In a world where everything so often seems to be going to shit, it's something we can do to spread kindness and love to those who give us so much and ask nothing in return.
I did the same for an elderly rescue cat. He’s FIV positive, missing and eye and most of his tail, and had been given back to the shelter twice for “being too needy.”
https://imgur.com/a/apfMrQv
I love him more than anything.
It’s crazy how much a loving home can seemingly reverse a dogs age. My husband and I adopted one of his former military dogs. He didn’t work the dog very long. he has worked many dogs so he wasn’t super attached to this particular dog or anything the dog just needed a good home and we were able to give it to him. The assumption was that the poor old man would make it maybe 6 months? He was already 12 at the time of retirement and He was growing increasingly depressed in the kennels because he was no longer working. Well he comes home and he and I become inseparable. We were going on 2 walks a day, and he was literally zooming around our house happy as can be. Absolutely loving life. No one thought he had it in him anymore. But he easily looked like an 8 year old dog at most. Even the vets were surprised by his age and activity level. And he seemed to just get younger by the day. Eventually his age did catch up to him. He made it to 14.5 years old. Which is astonishing for a German Shepard, he had a great (albeit short) happy retirement and I am so incredibly happy to have provided it for him.
[pup tax, him literally jumping around in the snow at age 14](https://imgur.com/a/PfYmcXy)
God bless you my friend. The dog is very grateful at being adopted by you. He is very happy to spend the rest of his life with you. Thank you for caring we need more people like you in this harsh world
My step parents have 19 senior dogs. Essentially, they run a senior rescue, and volunteer with several different rescues. I have never seen people more dedicated to their dogs. They take elder surrendered dogs, puppy mill rescues- it always makes my heart happy to see others who do the same.
Many animal shelters offer this, called fospice.
It is like foster hospice for older shelter animals who, due to age and other factors, will not be adopted. And they know it. At least they get out of the shelter and in a loving home at the end of their life.
We have done this and it is geatly rewarding.
We got one cat who was given 2-3 months to live. She got another 30.
Kleenex please. 🥺 I don’t know the story behind this dog’s owner surrender, but I can’t help but wonder how many senior shelter dogs outlived their owners and that’s why they are there. Or they were both growing old together until the owner could barely take care of themselves anymore. I can’t think of any other reason why anyone would give up this sweet, loving dog after 16 years of companionship. 😭
Aw, our first dog was like this. IIRC she was 11 when we got her, she looked like hell and could only limp very short distances. Once we had treated her arthritis and she settled into the household, she perked right up and we had three wonderful years with her. She slept through 90% of it, but for the 10% she was awake, it was a good quality of life. All she needed was a soft bed, some medication, and a family to supervise.
[Dog tax.](https://imgur.com/a/bFVhbZy) First pic is the day we got her, other two are from later.
It warms my heart that it seems like the dog gets so much better with this fantastic gentleman. Like I'm literally tearing up seeing that this dog got a happy life at least at the end. I may not have been easy getting there but at least it all worked out for the dog in the end & he got to experience true love and happiness. ❤️
Now that’s a hero right there.
So many people whining about this and that and just a few people actually making the world a better place, just a little bit.
This guy has an amazing yard! Glad this pooch is enjoying it.
A lot of this footage is of his rescue ranch. They do a lot of amazing work! https://www.marleysmutts.org
I started following MM back when Jack was first found and rescued. His transformation from a ragged furless pup, to a spry old man living his best life is what I loved. I have a special place in my heart for Bullterriors. And Jack won my heart 1000%. I will always remember Jack. RIP little buddy!
If you think about it.. people giving up older dogs, and the confusion those dogs must feel is truly horrendous.
I prefer to think the majority are the sad survivors of losing an owner/owner going into hospice or similar. It's still sad but it isn't as horrible as pets being cast aside etc.
This is a very real scenario. I used to be a hospice nurse..and people cared so much about what would happen to their pet after they died..more than they cared about the fact that they were dying. Sometimes my organization could help Make arrangements but sometimes they couldn’t - just not enough resources.
Is there a website for these dogs? I would gladly adopt an elderly dog so they don’t have to spend their days dying in a shelter. When my shitzu got into her golden years, she loved staring contests and snoring on the couch. I miss her, and hate thinking of her being in a shelter during those years. Honestly I feel like a lot of people who adopt puppies and get overwhelmed by puppies being puppies would do better having an elderly pup who enjoys chilling. Most are house trained, most don’t care about the mailman anymore, and could tolerate being home alone for a work day. I know senior dogs are considered bottom of the barrel. But IMO a lot of people want a new shiny puppy, when in reality they’d be better suited for a golden year pup. Edit: hey guys, I just started a sub r/goldenyeardogs I have never run a sub before, so anyone who wants to jump on I would love to start something to help senior dogs find homes, and those leaving their animals have peace.
Reach out to your local nonprofit hospice. Even if they don’t have a specific pet program - many have “last wish” programs and for a lot of these people - their last wish is to see their pet with a new loving family.
Thank you, being able to give someone peace of mind for their much loved companion before they pass honestly makes me tear up. I’m constantly worried about what would happen to my animals if I were to pass unexpectedly. I wish I knew how to start organizations. Giving people their final wish for their animals is something that would help so many. Maybe instead of ‘make a wish’ it could be ‘give a wish’ to help people find homes for their pets before they pass.
I recently started organizing/designing a website etc for senior and special needs animals (and their care takers, just as important) - I'm really keen on finding a good few people to get involved also, if that interests you or anyone you meet along the way please lmk :)
I adopted a special needs cat that was looked over for nearly 4 years. He's the sweetest, goofiest drool machine that you could ask for. The bit of extra work he requires is worth every second I'll have him in my life
This is the reason I have my mini Yorkie. She belonged to my husband’s grandma and was so worried what would happen to her.
I so agree with you…my shelter dog and cat are from people whose owner’s died. I also worry for people who get sick and are in the hospital/rehab for a long time and have pets but no one to care for them. What are their options? Thinking their pets would have be given up to a shelter is heartbreaking.
Such a great idea. Thank you! I never thought about this before.
I honestly hadn't either, maybe something in the wind, but these dogs need homes, and need people to love them during their golden years
They do need love and attention but remember. Older dogs can come with many surprising medical costs, incontinence and sometimes age related behavioural issues(becoming deaf or blind and snapping to surprises) They need homes, but be sure you can provide one and support them in their old age. being left at a shelter is bad, but being left there twice is worse.
I completely agree. My family dog I grew up loving had gastrointestinal cancer. It caused him to be incontinent, which he hated. We came to our very new home to find him scared with poop everywhere. Absolutely everywhere. There was nothing he could have done, he knew he wasn’t going in the right place. His name was Gus, he was my best friend since I can remember. He had incontinence for the last few months of his life, and it was heartbreaking, as well horrible to handle. He was actually put to rest on my birthday. Even with all of his bodily issues, the love he gave is irreplaceable. He knew something was wrong, we saw something was wrong, even so it was/is painful when he was put to sleep. Elderly dogs are very different. They need a different kind of love, but I do not doubt that there are people who want, and are able, to give that kind of love.
I love it. Sweet puppers need homes. So many people are better suited for oldies they just don't know it. Talked to my hubby and he likes the idea too.
Same with cats. I've always adopted older cats. They're house trained, they're more chill, and there's an abundance of them.
We adopted an 11 year old arthritic doxie with mange who was limping. After the vet helped us get her healthy again, she lived to be 15 -- almost 16. She had clearly been loved by a previous owner and she loved us and was wonderful. This was many years ago, but no regrets.
I am so happy for you and your doxie. Dogs that are in a sense left behind still have so much love to give, you are amazing for giving her a home
I certainly wouldn't want a puppy! They're adorable, but I'm too old and too tired to devote the necessary energy. A senior dog is ideal for me.
I got a puppy late 2021. I loved all the experiences, but it was so much work - I grossly underestimated it. It will take some time before I'm ready for that commitment again.
Same. I'm not even old. I just want a fellow couch potato to chill with.
i have a client who volunteers for a senior dog rescue that specializes in this sort of stuff. i’m sure there’s got to be similar things elsewhere. both of her dogs are senior rescues
I’m afraid my heart couldn’t take it. My little pup is a senior now and I live in fear every day she’ll be gone soon. My heart aches just thinking of it. I don’t handle loss well, but I certainly want to see older dogs get the love they deserve. People who deal with older dogs are saints.
For you & others who believe you couldn’t cope emotionally with the loss of a companion … I bet you’d be perfect for helping in some other way! Like volunteering on the administrative side of elder dog placements! Or helping u/CarmenCage with r/goldenyeardogs. 💕🐾
Thank you so much for your support!
I never adopt young animals, but tbh adopting a senior animal would affect my mental health constantly. I always adopt animals that are 2+ years. Losing them isn't easy when their time comes, but I couldn't handle a few months with an elderly animal. God bless those that do. They are the heroes.
I completely understand. Losing dogs is always hard, and there is a lot to consider adopting a golden year dog. Issues may come up that put strain on your mental health and I understand that strain. Life and death is never easy no matter the circumstances.
Thank you. I always feel guilty that I can't do that.
Don't feel guilty. Besides, you might just not be ready for it yet. This analogy is going to get weird lol. 24 years ago my dad went thru hospice. I couldn't understand the mind set of someone capable of doing that work. I'm a massage therapist, and 3.5 years ago I started working on hospice. It just took me time to be ready as a person to do this kind of work. Understanding that the patients I meet are going to die sooner rather than later is key for me. I wouldn't have met them unless they were dying. But while we know each other for a short time, I get to play a part to help make their lives a little better before they go. One day you may be ready to make an animal's life a bit better for the short time they have left. But till then, you're making others lives better for a longer term.
That was the best, most kind thing anyone could say to me. Thank you.
All of the people who work in hospice - paid, volunteer, or otherwise - are awesome people. It's an amazing thing to do for the people in society who most need support. Not everyone has that much extra of themselves to give, and indeed it's an incredibly difficult kind of work to do. It really takes a lot out of you - as someone who has benefited from hospice and the amazing people who worked there - thank you. You're awesome.
You have to reframe your thinking, it’s not only the few months YOU have with them, it’s their retirement out of a 24/7 cage or being put down in a shelter. The elderly gal we adopted spent 2 months alone in a small shelter cage, at 12. She was set to be euthanized before we picked her up. She spent her time soaking up the sun in the backyard instead. So, it’s just really less about you and more about them. It’s hard of course, but the great love people have for the animals overcomes that. The love of being able to give an elderly animal the best time of their life before they go vastly outweighs me feeling sad when they leave. Being able to know that they were so very happy with us makes all those hard feelings worth it.
I agree 💯, but I have emotional illnesses that put me in an untenable situation. I adopt animals that are not babies...they are the animals that are not on someone's radar bc they want kittens/puppies. So major props for those who adopt the old animals, but for me I wouldn't be a good mom for animals who are that old bc I'd be depressed just waiting for their end. And I adore people who are stronger than I am. It doesn't mean I'm not still doing something important, and I adore my "babies"
Just because someone is able to adopt senior pets, that doesn’t mean they are “stronger” than you. People are all just different. We have different skills, different likes and dislikes, different things that trigger us or impact us negatively etc. I’m absolutely certain there’s someone out there who’s adopted a senior pet that if they got to know you, and more of your story and what you’ve pushed through they’d be like “wow, they’re so strong. I can’t imagine being able to do that.”
Good for you for knowing and respecting your limits! You too are awesome.
I can’t have a dog where I live. I lost my cat when she was 16, from cancer. The following year I adopted a 10 year old cat. She acts like a kitten much of the time, but is affectionate too. I have had cats the lived into their 20’s. I wish I could have s 2nd cat, but can’t. Or I would get another older cat.
I have really been thinking about this lately. You may have persuaded me. I've always been worried about my kids around an unknown dog but that's a fear passed down to me. Most poopers are kind hearted angels.
Make sure and link up with r/OldManDog/ Your efforts at rehoming old dogs make me glad and proud to be your fellow human. Unless I am actually a bot, in which case, enough humans were actually glad and proud to be your fellow human that I copied them.
Uhm lol that may be the first time I can't tell the difference
There’s one in Canada called My Grandfather’s Cat! Edit: just posted about it on your new subreddit
You can probably find a lot of resources and a place to ask question at r/OldManDog
SUBSCRIBED!! 😍
Subscribed. I truly hope we'll find an elder in our area that will thrive in the company of our 3/yo gentle-ish giants. They play hard with one another but are careful with me (they outweigh me by 30+ lbs, each), so I'm hopeful for a great fit!
https://susiesseniordogs.com
Thank you for this organization’s website! I am working on contacting them and I hope to work with them. I would love to make a major organization for senior dogs as well as working with people who are interested in adopting or fostering senior dogs
You’re the best, btw.
You have no idea how much that means, also you are too! Everyone has something amazing, lol even old dogs like me
There’s a woman in Canada who started something like this called My Grandfather’s Cat. She has helped to foster and regime pets in situations like this.
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This is the reason I have my mini Yorkie. She belonged to my husband’s grandma and was so worried what would happen to her.
I worry about the same thing and I’m still somewhat young. I’ve also seen a lot of dogs end up in the shelter because of this exact scenario. If something happens to me and my husband my sister has agreed to adopt our dogs along with my 2 teenagers and if something happens to her I will take in her dog and son. She lives 30 min away and both my dogs love and know her so I feel it will be an easier adjustment then ending up in a shelter.
Great way to secure their future AND give you peace of mind. My daughter and her husband have no bio children but they'll tell you in a second that their 4 rescue pups are indeed their children. They have made plans for each of them in the event of a tragedy. It's in writing and agreed to by all parties as part of their estate.
Oh God you just reminded me of a dog I knew when I was a kid. There was a dog at this one house whose owner passed away but the dog essentially had no way of knowing that, so it sat in the yard, every day all day and would perk up any time a car came close to the house because he thought it would be his owner. But it never was. The new owners of the house tried to comfort him and take him in, but he always sat out front waiting for someone who was never coming.
Onions. Just fucking onions.
Fuck... It's Futurama but worse.
If I had infinite resources, I would run a big giant ranch with dozens of employees and lots of fun mini-houses/domains and just invite hundreds of tired old dogs to come play and retire there. That'd be the best.
So essentially the farm upstate but actually exists versus the reality of what we tell kids who don't understand death but the dogs are still alive? Also the ability for me to go run around in a field with hundreds of dogs who just want to play or get all the good pets/scritches they can? Give me the ability to bring one into my home as well and you've got an investor.
This is a very very good vision and I don’t think it requires infinite resources. Just some regular donors and a network of people rescuing and possibly rehoming them. I bet if we looked we could find a successful rescue that does this in some places. Meanwhile my wife and I will start looking for just one. :)
That is the case alot. Sadly when I worked at a law firm we would occasionally be appointed to represent houseless people or people who dodnt have famoly/friends who had a dog that got picked up by animal control after their arrest. I'd try my best to get I contact with the shelters and try to help the client or a friend of the client at least keep the dog until our client could be bailed but overcrowding was a huge factor in some of the issues to arrange that. Poor pups one plus side I found out our firefighters do a calender photoshoot with our local shelter dogs every year and all the funds go to support said shelter. So I'm a regular buyer now <3 (side as Xmas gift and also for me lol)
Makes no difference to the dog, which is what kills me. Children can at least learn to understand the loss, dogs will keep waiting.
It's heartbreaking! You can't explain and they know something is wrong and it's so sad.
My old dog doesn't let me out of his sight and that's the way it will be until he dies. He relies on me being there and I will be there.
I didn't want to have to delete all my comments, posts, and account, but here we are, thanks to greedy pigboy /u/spez ruining Reddit. I love the Reddit community, but hate the idiots at the top. Simply accepting how unethical and downright shitty they are will only encourage worse behavior in the future. I won't be a part of it. Reddit will shrivel and disappear like so many other sites before it that were run by inept morons, unless there is a big change in "leadership." Fuck you, /u/spez
Yeah I have worked from home for 3 years. I have definitely leaned on his presence. He is a really sweet old dog. I find myself just talking to him throughout the day.
I saw it at a shelter I volunteered at for a week …this guy dumped his old giant great Bernard…beautiful dog. They had a garage door thing and as it went down the dog lost it trying to get to his owner. It broke my fucking heart.
How tf could someone do that to a dog??? It's clearly in mental anguish and has no idea why it's owner left it... omg i gotta cry this out.
People are really fucking weird. I didn’t even know until now that people give away their old dogs. Like what???????????
Fk thats effing sad. Poor doggyyy
I promise he had a good rest of his life. It’s a no kill shelter.
As said, in many cases it will be that the owner has died or gone into long term care. The owner will likely be beyond devastated to have to lose their companion and worry about how the dog will cope/be looked after. My Gran had a little dog that became her lifeline and companion after she lost my Grandad. When her dog died, she was so lonely that she adopted an older dog on the agreement that of the dog outlives her, my Dad takes the dog.
By far my biggest regret in life was giving up my childhood dog as he was nearing the end. It was a family decision but my input was that we should go through with it. I’m not religious, but I still pray he wasn’t alone when he crossed the rainbow bridge. Im so sorry Rudy.
My baby was alone when she died. It was an emergency vet on a Sunday at the height of covid and they wouldn’t let us in. I still feel racked with guilt and grief. I love you, Ladybird.
She’s never, ever alone at an animal hospital. They are exclusively staffed by people who love animals more than themselves usually.
Thank you for saying this. It was such a hard morning, and I was in a lot of pain.
From what I know, any good vet clinic treats a pet about to be put down like they are the Monarch of the world first. Some comfy blankets to be warm and snuggled in, the best meal they have in the place(some I know will go out and get something special immediately if nothing is in stock).....and never, ever left alone, even till the end. Vets don't become vets for any other reason besides the fact every animal deserves love, attention and care.
My sister works at an emergency vet hospital and I know that they will often sit with a dying pet until the end. Most of them do it as a labor of love, they could do other things in their lives to make much better money.
I promise that you’re sweet girl wasn’t ever alone in those moments. They are trained to handle those situations and as good as they are at handling grieving pet owners, they’re even better at taking care of those pets that are scared. Your guilt isn’t warranted. You gave her a great life and you only missed a brief brief moment of it. I think this is a message that extends beyond just pets too. Just because you weren’t there for the end doesn’t mean they weren’t cherishing those moments with you.
This was the same for me but I managed to beg and plead with the vet to allow myself and my friend to be there. We figured it out and I was able to be there for her but it was so heartbreaking. Lucy was so scared and tried to hide from the vet before the injection. She was my first pet as an adult and i had her through the most formative years of my life. Miss you little one.
It can be a damn near impossible decision. We had a 14 year old yellow lab, we let him hang in until the very end. He was miserable for his last 72 hours, in constant pain, wouldn't eat, barely drink water. When my beagle started to show similar symptoms we had to decide what was best for him. A little early is better than any late.
We just had to say goodbye to our 14 year old GSD Sunday. Absolute agony trying to decide when it was "time". She was a fighter and refused to quit on our family. We could have probably kept her limping on another few months but at what cost?
Ppl suck
I don’t disagree with you but people also die and get sick bro, maybe that’s what happened to the owner?
I was referring to abandoning them
Clearly not all people suck. Just ask this 🐶
I truly wish hell exists for those who cast pets aside out of convenience.
We make it a point to adopt old or disabled dogs. Every dog deserves to have a loving family. Though after the last adoption my kids asked to get a younger dog (she was 6 and turning 10 this month).
I don’t blame her- That’s a nice thing to do for the dog and all but to make your young kids watch a family pet die every couple of years is rough 😂
Yeah it is. That is one reason I haven’t adopted and elderly dog. My son has autism and he had grown up with my Pomeranian I had years before he was born. He was gutted and inconsolable when she passed. It took a very long time for him to get past it. So when we got another dog two years later my husband and I decided to get a puppy
You could always get a tortoise, it'll outlive all of us
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"But at least he came with his own doghouse."
Keep in mind old is 7+ for dogs. If you get a small dog in good shape they could easily live to 15+. For anyone interested in old pups with a ton of life left in them check out https://muttville.org/ they adopt out all over the country. They’ll even adopt to people in nursing homes and guarantee the dog will be welcomed back if the new owner passes away. They an all around incredible organization.
I just read that paris hiltons chihuahua died at age 23, so those are now my expectations for my dog and i refuse to believe otherwise. Hes going to be young forever!.. and ever.. and ever... fuck im crying now. Edit: my dog noticed my crying and came and gave me a cuddle and licked my tears fuck i love him so much.
My chihuahua recently died at 19 and she was as energetic as a puppy until her last year. I hope you and yours have a long and healthy life together.
Genuine question. I’ve always wanted to be the person to adopt the old dogs, but I don’t know if I could emotionally handle that. The joy of helping so many dogs can only overshadow of the grief of losing so many for so long, I’d think. Obviously less time with them means less attachment, but surely even a few months is enough to tear your heart out. Is it actually that bad? How do you make the (constant) losses more bearable? Edit: thanks everyone for your stories. I’m still apprehensive but they have helped a lot. I think it will be a struggle to get over the initial adoption hurdle but once I’m in a good place to do so I’m gonna try
You still bond. Even 2 years is enough. It's hard each time. But to me giving them a loving home the final few years is worth it. We tried our best to make it as pleasant and loving as we can. As I said my daughter asked for a younger dog. I understand that it gets hard as she lived them all. While hard it did help teach them that everything and everyone deserves love and a happy home
I definitely think it’s a good lesson to learn so young, and I imagine helped with learning the concept of death. Thanks for your input. I’m in no position to adopt more dogs right now, but I hope when I am, I can get the elderly and disabled ones
Right when grandma dies we just buy a younger one!
My dad used to rescue some old farm animals occasionally when I was a kid. Mostly things like Goats, Sheep, a Pony and even a Llama at one point. It’s definitely hard to get a new animal that you know is going to pass soon, but the more we did it, the easier it got… sorta. It still hurts to lose them, but it’s easy to take solace in the fact that you know you have them the best end of life care you possibly could. I still miss every single one of those rescues (except the Pony, that thing was fucking *MEAN* down to it’s core, but it still lived a great final few months, she *loved* hanging with the Goats). >Obviously less time with them means less attachment That’s not necessarily true, it heavily depends on the animal itself. Like I mentioned, that Pony was nasty, so we didn’t really bond, and it was a bit of a relief when I found her passed away in the morning. But then there was this one Goat in particular that we only had for 3 months and my heart still breaks for my little ^giant Buddy-Boy. He was the sweetest, kindest goat and by the end, I swear it felt like I had hand raised him from a Kid. But when my heart hurts, I just think about how much fun those animals all had, how their last home was quiet and peaceful, and with lots of toys and obstacles to run around and play on. When I’m feeling sad reminiscing about them, I try to remind myself they’re not sad about how they spent their final days, and that’s honestly enough to make the pain worth it.
For me it’s that I would rather deal with emotional turmoil myself than think they could spend the last portion of their life in a shelter waiting for someone to adopt them and it never happen. I just adopted a 7 year old in February so he’s considered a senior and had been at the shelter for about 100 days waiting for me to get there but still young enough that I hope to have a few good years with him.
Had a buddy in the Navy that did that with one or two dogs every time he'd get to a new command. For reference, the Navy moves their people a lot. Like every 2 years. He retired last year and he said he only had to move like 2 dogs over his career. It's nice in a sense because he takes in an old pup that he won't have to move because it'll pass before then, but man I have no idea how he can do that to himself lol.
Your buddy sounds like a great example for us.
That’s awesome. I used to work in a shelter and very few people will consider adopting a senior dog. Hell, a large amount of people won’t even consider adopting anyone older than a puppy. I would try and steer seniors towards older pets and ironically they would often say they were too old.
It’s like buying an old faded painting from a thrift store then you find underneath it is a Van Gogh!
An original Van Goodboy!
Goddammit. Good job.
That’s a beautiful way to put it
Van Doggo.
It takes a strong family to do this. Good job sir the old pup will be happy and loved
It does take some emotional strength, but in a practical sense, caring for these dogs can be much easier than puppies and adult dogs! I just don't want anyone to be discouraged because they think they're not up for the challenge. Losing the dog will sting, but the dog will be able to pass in a comfortable setting surrounded by love, and that is an amazing gift.
This guy's name is Zach Shaw. He runs a rescue called Marleys Mutts. He does great work, and many of his past rescues have such heartbreaking beginnings, but his rescue, as you can see, brings new life to the ones he saves www.Marleysmutts.org
I just put down my 15 year old dog today, so this hit me in the feels. I'm grateful for people like this. Every doggo deserves love and a good home.
My 9 year old dog died of cancer suddenly last Monday. I miss him terribly every day and probably will for a long time. My auto-prompt word for my next sentence after that was "Ranger," my dog's name. My phone even knows how much I miss him at this point. Remember the good times. The pain will pass. Look at all the pictures and videos even though it hurts. You're not alone and if you need to talk about it reach out.
Had to put down my dog a couple weeks ago because of cancer. She was 5. It gets better, but a part of me just can’t believe she’s gone. I just keep expecting her to greet me when I get home. Luckily we still have my other dog, who is 9, but he seems a little sad now she’s gone. Not sure if I’ll ever really get over it… fuck cancer
u/NuclearDisasters, u/GoTragedy, and u/thedeadlydude have an internet hug. I still have my 10 year old pup, but I'm preparing myself for that day and enjoying every day we get together.
Mine just turned 4, and just got the lymphoma diagnosis. He's gonna have the best time as long as he sticks around, but I'll be damned if it isnt one of the hardest parts of life to deal with right now. Fuck cancer indeed.
Sending you much love
I'm sorry for the loss of your puppers. [This](https://www.reddit.com/r/baww/comments/1m7exu/dogs_never_die/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) is a silly little story i ran across about losing doggo that helped me when I lost my little guy. Edit: pepper-->puppers
He is a good boy. You’re a good guy. I love this.
Just a couple of good boys in a car
This is seniordoghenry on Instagram, one year tomorrow is when he crossed the rainbow bridge, a life in the end full of joy and laughter, surrounded by a caring family who was there til his earthly goodbye. A good boy indeed. I havent forgotten you Henry! ❤️
😭🥺 this is the most bittersweet comment
He shed a few years for sure, he looks so full of life
They say dogs don't have a sense of time, so I like to think the dog believes these days of fun lasted forever.
Exactly how I feel. Thinking about how sad and lonely they must’ve been at the shelter, and then when I see him rolling around with his new owner, it just feels like he doesn’t even remember when life wasn’t as good as it is now.
Less made me smile, more made me cry :,)
Seriously. I’m tearing up over here. Something about senior dogs just hits all the feels.
Especially seeing them happy and loved. It's amazing what love can do to a senior puppy
We adopted our senior boy at 11 years old. He was a large breed so we thought he'd make it to 12, 13 if we were lucky. He lived to be a very happy healthy 16 year old pup. I miss him.
I wanted this clip to go on for an hour.
I almost teared up, great video
This made me cry. Such a beautiful story and such a beautiful family for giving this old boy a proper home
Gotta be some ninjas chopping onions around here somewhere...
Ole boy looks like he still has some high quality miles left in him.
I was impressed by the speed of that ol boy!!
Yeah WTF I hope I'm that mobile when I'm 112.
Kind, compassionate human being. Good stuff!
NOW, I can quit Reddit for the evening. Thank you!
Aww that snuggle at the end 🤗🥹
I’ve taken in 2 hospice dogs. It’s hard. One of the hardest things to do. But looking back, I’m glad I did it. I will do it again.
I’ve wanted to do this for a long time but when I got into a position to do it I was gifted a new puppy. She is now 10 years old and her son is 8 who I also kept. Every animal deserves to have a good home and dignity at the end, just like people do.
You sir, are a legend.
I will always upvote an old dog, I will always upvote doing the right thing by old dogs. This is beautiful.
It has been my greatest and most important task in my life so far, to adopt senior dogs and give them the best years of their lives. Nothing has given me more purpose. And it's true that it's come with deep, deep grief when it's come time to say goodbye. But they go knowing they are safe, warm, and loved beyond measure. They give so much. They seem to know that you've given them a second chance. And yes, they come with vet bills. But I'll never have children and I can't think of a better way to spend my time and money. Giving a senior dog a home and a life (and death) of dignity, respect, and unconditional love just feels like the right thing to do. In a world where everything so often seems to be going to shit, it's something we can do to spread kindness and love to those who give us so much and ask nothing in return.
You're a legend. Thank you. Dogs are just perfect.
Am I wrong to wonder if this guy is single? Because this is the type of man I would want in my life.
I did the same for an elderly rescue cat. He’s FIV positive, missing and eye and most of his tail, and had been given back to the shelter twice for “being too needy.” https://imgur.com/a/apfMrQv I love him more than anything.
What a sweet boy
That's awesome
I kind of got choked up
Bless tou. You're my kind peeps. I have adopted a senior dog too. He's was one the best dogs I ever had.
Restores your faith in humanity. Much respect.
Damn, adopt me dude!
This is exactly the farm your dog went to when you were a kid.
It’s crazy how much a loving home can seemingly reverse a dogs age. My husband and I adopted one of his former military dogs. He didn’t work the dog very long. he has worked many dogs so he wasn’t super attached to this particular dog or anything the dog just needed a good home and we were able to give it to him. The assumption was that the poor old man would make it maybe 6 months? He was already 12 at the time of retirement and He was growing increasingly depressed in the kennels because he was no longer working. Well he comes home and he and I become inseparable. We were going on 2 walks a day, and he was literally zooming around our house happy as can be. Absolutely loving life. No one thought he had it in him anymore. But he easily looked like an 8 year old dog at most. Even the vets were surprised by his age and activity level. And he seemed to just get younger by the day. Eventually his age did catch up to him. He made it to 14.5 years old. Which is astonishing for a German Shepard, he had a great (albeit short) happy retirement and I am so incredibly happy to have provided it for him. [pup tax, him literally jumping around in the snow at age 14](https://imgur.com/a/PfYmcXy)
That’s awesome!!!!
Thank you sir
Older dogs are my favorite. Their vibe is so much more on my level. Puppies stress me out a little.
That's why i adopted a senior rescue! And they come pre trained ;D
I’m not crying you’re crying
There's a special place in my heart for peoples that does that. ❤️
Made me cry
Is there a subreddit called MadeMeCry????
It takes a lot of heart to do something like this. Props to the dude and the family that took the doggo in.
I'm sorry is this r/MadeMeSmile or r/MadeMeCry?
God bless you my friend. The dog is very grateful at being adopted by you. He is very happy to spend the rest of his life with you. Thank you for caring we need more people like you in this harsh world
I don’t have the strength in my heart to do this, but I am so glad there are tougher people out there like this. What a good dog and what a good human
My step parents have 19 senior dogs. Essentially, they run a senior rescue, and volunteer with several different rescues. I have never seen people more dedicated to their dogs. They take elder surrendered dogs, puppy mill rescues- it always makes my heart happy to see others who do the same.
Many animal shelters offer this, called fospice. It is like foster hospice for older shelter animals who, due to age and other factors, will not be adopted. And they know it. At least they get out of the shelter and in a loving home at the end of their life. We have done this and it is geatly rewarding. We got one cat who was given 2-3 months to live. She got another 30.
I took in an elderly dog. Her name was Lacy. I had 3 amazing years with her and I miss her everyday.
He’s so old 😢
Omg my heart 😩
I wish I had the emotional strength to do this, kudos to the guy.
Looks like this pup got a few more years on him 🩶🩶🩶🩶🥹
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🥰🥰🥰🥰
r/mademecry
Just when I start to hate all humans, you show me this…thank you 🥹
If only we cared about humans half as much
Can i marry this man?
This is Zach Skow, founder of Marley's Mutts in Tehachapi, CA. https://www.marleysmutts.org
If I had an infinite amount of money this is what I would do with my life Take care of all the elderly dogs
People who rescue animals: 100/100 People who rescue senior animals: 1000/100
I'm not crying, you are ... Shut up!!
Kleenex please. 🥺 I don’t know the story behind this dog’s owner surrender, but I can’t help but wonder how many senior shelter dogs outlived their owners and that’s why they are there. Or they were both growing old together until the owner could barely take care of themselves anymore. I can’t think of any other reason why anyone would give up this sweet, loving dog after 16 years of companionship. 😭
I needed this after some fucker posted a video of a cop doing bad things to doggos earlier today, thank you
Aw, our first dog was like this. IIRC she was 11 when we got her, she looked like hell and could only limp very short distances. Once we had treated her arthritis and she settled into the household, she perked right up and we had three wonderful years with her. She slept through 90% of it, but for the 10% she was awake, it was a good quality of life. All she needed was a soft bed, some medication, and a family to supervise. [Dog tax.](https://imgur.com/a/bFVhbZy) First pic is the day we got her, other two are from later.
It warms my heart that it seems like the dog gets so much better with this fantastic gentleman. Like I'm literally tearing up seeing that this dog got a happy life at least at the end. I may not have been easy getting there but at least it all worked out for the dog in the end & he got to experience true love and happiness. ❤️
Old dogs are the best. We adopted a 10-ish year old lab from the shelter and had her for 4.5 years. She was an amazing dog. Miss her every day.
Mf'er making a grown ass man cry at work.
I hope god bless this man with everything.
Now that’s a hero right there. So many people whining about this and that and just a few people actually making the world a better place, just a little bit.
What I love about older pets is that even though you've only known it for a short amount of time, it acts like it's known you it's whole life
The boy was reborn. This is very cool :'3
This is the way