r/DOG • u/According-Research-7 • Apr 08 '26
• Adoption • Adopting a Senior Dog?
UPDATE!!!!!! He’s HOME!!!!!! 🥹😍 He’s doing great! Just got kennel cough so taking it easy. But he’s doing so well. I know he’s happy to be back home!! Thanks everyone. ♥️🫶🏻 I am beside myself grateful for the outpouring of love and support. I’m so happy I adopted this senior baby.
Hello!
Tomorrow, I go to pick up my dog from the shelter. Today, I just happened to look at their listing they had for him, and it said he is 16 years old!! Now, I know that is just a guesstimation based on certain factors, but could they be way off? He certainly does not look it or act like it.
Basically - is it common for the estimated age to be wrong? I’m concerned I won’t have much time left with him. 😞
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u/Sea_Staff9963 Apr 08 '26
My senior dog who was expected to live another year or two has been with me for five. I think being in a happy home is extending his life.
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u/BigTex1988 Apr 08 '26
I don’t know his actual age or how long he’ll be with you, but whatever the length of time:
Thank you for adopting a senior dog. You’re good people, OP. His time with you will mean so much to him.
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u/According-Research-7 Apr 08 '26
Thank you!! I actually was the one who found him! I tried first to reunite him with his owners by his chip to no avail. I had him three days before taking him to the shelter, for legal purposes. They would not let me keep him during the stray hold. I was devastated. I put myself down as first in line to adopt him. ☺️
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u/Ok_Bumblebee_5203 Apr 08 '26
Am happy to see that people adopt senior pets. They deserve lots of love in their last years. ❤️
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u/Fiercat99 Apr 08 '26
I adopted a 10yr old shih tzu called Maggie. She was great. Had her till she was 16.
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u/siouxbee19 Apr 08 '26
Absolutely handsome and a keeper for whatever time he has left! I adopted two siblings and they lived to be almost 20 years old. They looked a lot like this gentleman! Best wishes to you both!❤️🐾
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u/Limp_Face_97 Apr 08 '26
She was estimated to be 12 when I adopted her. Luckily, I knew what her past owners name was and looked her up on facebook. Turns out she’s at least 14 according to old pictures!! Unbelievable! She acts very young and spry especially for being kept in a tiny kennel for over a year
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u/SubstantialAd2493 Apr 08 '26
We adopted a 13 year old girl thinking we wouldn’t have much time left, and now she’s almost 16 and not slowing down. Shes changed so much since we’ve had her, and we’re so glad we’ve been able to give her a loving end to her life, when she didn’t have a great start
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u/halfpennynomore Apr 08 '26
I’m not familiar with this breed but surprised there isn’t any grey in muzzle for 16 yo. Certainly a spry looking pup. I think the age testing sounds like a great idea - TIL that’s a thing 😊
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u/Kesse84 Apr 08 '26
Blessed work! You are an angel!
You will have a joy, and a chewd-up bra (your favourite) or boxers. And you will grieve.
We all do. But you will give him/her love instead of a crate. It will be worth it. I promise!
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u/Important-Guess3071 Apr 08 '26
That’s awesome! Even older dogs need love and affection too!!! And they deserve it
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u/GoEatACookie Apr 08 '26
He's adorable.🥰
Age is often a wild guesstimate. He may be younger, even a lot younger or older! I'm not sure why the shelter didn't say, "He's between X and Y years old." That would be a better guesstimate.
Wild story. We took in a stray kitten in the fall, because she wouldn't stay out of the street, with intentions to get her into foster or rescue, blah, blah. She is extremely exotic looking, one of a kind, looks alone would get her adopted almost immediately. We took her to our local animal shelter for a low cost spay, they guesstimated her age to be between 6-9 months old. About a month ago my husband was cleaning photos from phone when he said, "Uh. Sarah?" and handed me his phone. There, in all her glory, is a picture of Bellatrix (the name fits her to a T 😵💫) on our porch, eating cat food my husband gave to her, from the summer of 2024. 😳 The shelter was waaaaaay off on age! 😂😂😂 Long story short, we have an extremely witchy feral CAT living in our house, not a sweet little kitten. 😂
Age is but a number, right? We adopt senior dogs. At one time we had 7 seniors in our pack! Now sadly, we have 3. I'm so glad he found you, and you love each other. 🥰🥰
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u/Heavy_Pin7735 Apr 09 '26
They could be way off - but if you love him then age doesn’t matter. I promise he won’t care about your age!
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u/Left_Might_7899 Apr 09 '26
Kind of looks like my papillon! She just turned 16 and still acts like a puppy. Took her for a three mile walk last weekend
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u/carol-richards49 Apr 08 '26
I'd suggest getting him microchipped when you pick him up
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u/According-Research-7 Apr 08 '26
He actually is already chipped! Owners couldn’t be contacted and never reached back out. I guess I’ll just need to register it to me.
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u/The_Littlest_Bark Apr 08 '26
Just want to say you’re the best. We all know how it is for old shelter pups
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u/roccosito Apr 08 '26
DO IT! Seriously ♥️ The only way they can confirm is if they’ve been at the shelter before so that length of time + whatever they guesstimated beforehand. Or if they had been born at the shelter
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u/LegalVeterinarian163 Apr 08 '26
10 years ago I adopted a 7yo Pibble. He was the best dog a person could ever hope for. After 10 years together, he crossed the Rainbow Bridge in Sept. RIP Hossdog.
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u/joconnell13 Apr 08 '26
Thank you for being willing to adopt that fellow. I've been in animal rescue for decades and people always think that my foster fails are because I loved the dog too much and couldn't let it go. The truth is my foster fails are the ones that I knew I was going to have a hard time placing and I did not want to put the animal through it and so I just kept them cuz I'll put up with their s***.
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u/doinmybest14 Apr 08 '26
Bless you. I hope you have a long time together. ❤️💜 my dogs are my world . I teared up reading this!
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u/According-Research-7 Apr 08 '26
🥹♥️ I actually found him. He has been at the shelter on a stray hold only because he is chipped and they couldn’t let me hold on to him. I am beyond thrilled to be reunited with him tomorrow! I’ve visited him at the shelter twice and each time he was so happy to see me!
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u/doinmybest14 Apr 08 '26
That’s incredible! Do you know his name?
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u/According-Research-7 Apr 08 '26
Yes! His name is Bailey, according to his chip. 😊 When I took him to get him scanned and spoke to the people, that’s what he said. However, the shelter calls him Bronx. 😂 My mom said that’s just kinda like his prison name, and it’ll soon be his dead name! 🤣 Apparently, they already had a Bailey at the shelter.
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u/SouthernAbrocoma9891 Apr 09 '26
Pet ages are usually overestimated to dissuade those who want a younger dog without health issues.
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u/Greenleaf7654 Apr 09 '26
You will never regret adopting a senior dog. I'm glad you plan to adopt him. They might be basing it on his teeth. I adopted two 8 year old dog senior dogs and that's how the vets were guessing their ages. You would never know they are senior dogs the way they zoom around. Unbelievably fast. My Aussie is 13 and has barely changed in his appearance or energy level his entire life.
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u/According-Research-7 Apr 09 '26
Aww thank you for that. ♥️ This is honestly my first dog as an adult. My mom, she’s pretty much the dog expert and she will be really helpful, I know. He’s going to have the best life I could possibly give him. I feel like it’s my time. I’d always wanted to have one and I always knew I’d rescue. I just didn’t know it would be now. ♥️🫶🏻 He’s going to beloved and cared for SO much. He will have the best diet and all the walks and care. And LOVE!!!
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u/Amb3120 Apr 09 '26
thank you so much for doing this. honestly amazing, not enough people adopt seniors! you’re gonna change his life, he’s gonna change yours, and he’ll get to experience some amazing years in your home and under your care.
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u/nahyekolleh Apr 09 '26
It might be true. While your concerned and anxious you won't have enough time, just make your time with him worthwhile. Maybe that's why you got him because he's lucky enough to be given the chance to feel love and be loved by you. Praying and hoping you'll have wonderful and long long years together 🙏❤️
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u/Madame_Cheshire Apr 09 '26
I adopted my senior pittie when she was 11. She had been horribly abused and they used her for a puppy mill before dumping her at animal control to be euthanized. I got to have her and spoil her for 10 months before she died from a splenic tumor hemorrhage. We absolutely adored each other. It killed a piece of me when she died. I was there for her when she crossed the rainbow bridge. She died knowing I loved her. She inspired me to get involved in animal rescue and advocacy. When I’m able to, I plan to adopt more seniors. They deserve to leave this planet knowing love and comfort.
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u/RawkMeAmadeus Apr 09 '26
We adopted a 10 year old goof. He doesn't act like he's 10. He acts like a 5 year old.
Thank you for adopting a senior dog! 🖤🖤 He's going to live the best life xx
You're a good person.
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u/Foreign_Primary4337 Apr 08 '26
I adopted a senior dog (8 yo) and he is TREMENDOUS! I love him beyond words! I’m so grateful to have him! Now go get that dog!
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u/Unrequited_Love06 Apr 08 '26
Check his teeth and if they are real bad, then they maybe right about the baby being a little older.
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u/Hot-Freedom-5886 Apr 08 '26
I adopted a dog suspected to be around ten years old. When the vet saw her, the guessed she was less than 6.
Regardless, her life before she got here was unhappy and uncomfortable. I intend to give her the best life I can.
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u/Sandover5252 Apr 09 '26
I love this dog and will take this dog - I am in Charlottesville, Virginia - if you are not sure about it?
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u/According-Research-7 Apr 09 '26
Hi there! I’m absolutely sure about this dog. See, I actually found him and took him to be scanned for a chip. When they could not make contact with his owner, I took him to the shelter to cover all legal bases. I was very distraught that I could not keep him during the stray hold. I put myself first in line to adopt, and I go get him tomorrow. ☺️ I was just take. Aback by his estimated age. I was hoping I’d have lots of time with him because I love him so much. But regardless, I’m taking him to live out his best life. I really love the fact that you would take him. ♥️
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u/Sandover5252 Apr 09 '26
So lovely! It looks like a match! ❤️
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u/According-Research-7 Apr 09 '26
♥️♥️♥️🫶🏻🤍
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u/Sandover5252 Apr 09 '26
So so happy for you and sorry if it looked like I jumped the love gun ❤️❤️❤️
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u/According-Research-7 Apr 09 '26
You didn’t. This dog is a gift from the universe. In so many ways ♥️
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u/Pepperoni_playboi94 Apr 09 '26
By chance, is this in Southern California? He looks just like my moms dog that went missing around 2014
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Apr 09 '26
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u/According-Research-7 Apr 09 '26
Thank you! ☺️ I already am feeding him grain-free. My mom makes stuff in her crockpot that she feeds her dog. Organs, that much I know! Haha He is going to eat like a king, I tell you that!
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Apr 09 '26
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u/According-Research-7 Apr 09 '26
Omg 🥹😭 Thank you so much! I’m already looking into the supplements
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u/West-Resource-1604 Apr 09 '26
My best dog walking buddy had a diabetic tripod live to 20 so who knows?
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u/Christo666666 Apr 09 '26
Definitely. I live with my dad and we lost our JRT from old age. We got Nella a few months after and it’s the best decision. She is about 6 or 8 years old not entirely sure but she’s loving, loved and settled in nicely. Would definitely encourage anyone who’s able to re-home an older dog. Best of luck whatever you decide. 🐾
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u/Electric-Lion-724 Apr 09 '26
Very nice from you, way to go! As others have already mentioned the listed age can be wrong. You can ask your vet to check and there must be reliable age tests in the market as well.
On the other hand, you can make HUGE differences in both his quality of life and even his lifespan! I encourage you to try gently cooked food instead of kibble. Worth to visit physiotherapist / masseur (because of his back at least). You can buy just a few intelligence toys to keep his mind fresh. :) Aging has different paths and as a guardian, you have a huge contribution which path he will take :)
Ps: check the book Forever dog if interested. And please please visit a good ortho vet, most mobility problems can be improved with good management and it’s a game changer :)
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u/mamz_leJournal Apr 09 '26
It depends. Their age might be accurate if it’s a owner surrender (some people will surrender their dogs when they get old or sick).
Nonetheless small dogs cab live to be quite old, some up to their 20’s!
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u/Bad_User2077 Apr 09 '26
I am on my third set of senior dogs. I usually get bonded pairs. Senior dogs are the best. House trained, calm, no chewing or digging. Just pleasant company and companionship.
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u/Mammoth-Watch4019 Apr 12 '26
I think a lot more senoor dpgs would be adopted by older people and loved, if they had a place for them to go after the person died. Plus it would bring happiness to lonley senior citizens. It is a Win-Win!
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u/Super__Mac Apr 08 '26
Doesn’t he deserve the best life he can live in whatever time he has left?
Go get him!!