There's not a dry eye here! Awesome adopter Lily has beautifully summed up the joy that rescuing an older doggie can bring. And the fact that neither age nor distance was a barrier makes her story even more special.
“My beautiful PetRescue girl, Maisie, passed away in January, and it was the first time in 24 years that I couldn’t hear the sound of little paws following me. It lasted only a few days before I started my search on the PetRescue website.
“I came across a story that left me in tears. It was a Border Collie called Sammy who was found wandering the streets with burns all over his back. All I needed was to look at his photo to fall in love. During a phone call with his foster carer, I was told he was probably around 14-years-old and, with a heavy heart, I decided not to adopt. I was scared of losing him too soon and that’s something I didn’t think I could deal with after the recent passing of my Maisie.”
However, Lily found it hard to forget about Sammy, and her passion for rescue drew her back to him. “I kept Sammy’s photo on my fridge and also at my work,” she explains. “I thought about him day and night for three weeks and couldn’t stand it anymore. It finally clicked that it was selfish of me to not adopt him merely because I was worried about my own emotions. Fool me!”
One quick phone call, and Lily kicked off the adoption process - eager to be the one to give Sammy the second chance he needed.
“I must have a thing for older Border Collies from North Queensland. Maisie was from Maryborough and Sammy is from Townsville. I live in Melbourne, but I guess when you fall in love, location really doesn’t matter.”
Four months later, and both mum and pup have opened up a new chapter in their lives, finding love and companionship in one another. “Sammy has a new lease on life,” Lily smiles. “I doubt that he is more than ten-years-old and he seems so very happy and content.
“He is up early every morning and ready for his walk. As I pick up the car keys, he does a little ‘tap dance’ and is at the garage door within seconds. It’s nearly impossible to leave without him, not that I ever want to,” Lily adds. “He loves adults, children, all other dogs, cats, birds. He simply loves everyone and everything. He loves life and everyone that meets Sammy loves him back.”
Through getting a second chance in life, Sammy has undergone a wonderful transformation, becoming a model of health in next to no time. “Sammy’s shaved coat is slowly growing back and covering up the scars of a horrible experience we don’t really know about. He has been through so much and yet he has the sweetest, most trusting nature. I’m one lucky person. It’s scary to think that because of a few weeks of madness on my part, I could have missed out on such a beautiful boy.
“And even though I would love a puppy one day, these old fellas just tug at my heart. They are irresistible. I wish more people would consider adopting an older dog. They are so special in every way.”
If reading this Happy Tail inspired you to consider adopting an oldie but goodie, start your online search today by clicking ‘Show Advanced Search’ and selecting ‘Senior Pets’.