Senior dogs abandoned at shelters usually have less to zero chances of getting adopted. An eighteen-year-old dog was left at a Washington-based center after her owner recently passed away. The senior Pit Bull had no other place to go, so she was sent to the Humane Rescue Alliance last February.
The old dog, whose name is Julep, seemed confused about what’s going on. According to senior communications director Matt Williams, the dog sorely misses her owner. Imagine living in the same house for eighteen years, then suddenly moving to a new home. Matt added that nothing stresses a dog more than having to adjust to a new environment.
The other volunteers at the shelter were also concerned about finding a family that would want to take in an old dog. Usually, families look for younger and more energetic pets who can play with the kids or guard their homes. Senior dogs are never top picks for adoption. Also, in Julep’s case, who’s already eighteen years old, finding her new family is indeed challenging.
But the nonprofit organization refused to give up on the sweet old Pit Bull. They tried everything to inform the public that she is looking for a new home. They posted photos of her on their official Facebook page, and they even named her Pet of the Week a couple of times to draw attention.
The strategy worked after all! After a couple of weeks, Humane Rescue Alliance received a phone call from a man who expressed interest in meeting the senior dog. The man, Wayne Lerch, recently lost his beloved senior dog to old age complications. Seeing the ad from the nonprofit organization, Wayne thought he’d give it a go. He drove his motorcycle down to the center to meet Julep.
As soon as he met her, he knew he had to bring her home! According to Matt, who was there during the first meet-up, he saw that it was love at first sight for Wayne and Julep. Wayne renamed the Pit Bull as “Tootie,” after his grandmother. Tootie will now enjoy her golden years in a new and loving home, all thanks to the volunteers’ effort at the Human Rescue Alliance.
credits: Human Rescue Alliance
