22 Charming Photos Of Senior Shelter Dogs That Teach You A Lesson About Second Chances
Senior shelter dogs do not always get the spotlight they deserve, but this photo collection makes a strong case for giving them a chance. Laura T. Coffey and photographer Lori Fusaro set out to show how much love, personality, and resilience older dogs still have to offer.
The project, tied to My Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts, pairs striking images with stories of adoption, recovery, and second chances. From dogs who found comfort in retirement homes to pets who changed their owners' lives, each one adds a little more heart to the bigger picture.
By the end, it is hard not to see why these senior dogs left such a lasting impression. Read on.
1. Meet Cody, the retired law-enforcement K9 who ended up in a dog shelter when he was no longer needed.
2. After leaving the shelter, Rocky became a full-time care provider in an assisted living facility, providing incredible support for a group of women with dementia.
3. Corporal Matt Hatala, who struggled with PTSD after returning home, credits Chaney, the military dog he adopted after the dog's retirement, with saving his life.
4. Chaney trekked thousands of miles and found countless explosives during his service abroad.
Some of these dogs had already lived more than one life.
5. The co-founders of Old Dog Haven, Lee and Judith Piper, used to say that they did hospice work for the organization; now they call it 'assisted living.'
6. Sunny was adopted by photographer Lori Fusaro. The dog had infected eyes and a large tumor on her leg, but that didn't deter Fusaro.
7. George Clooney fell in love with this cocker spaniel named Einstein and rescued him just hours before he was scheduled to be put down.
8. Fiona could barely walk when she arrived at the shelter, and the staff wheeled her around. Not long after being adopted, she regained her mobility.
9. Flopsy and Sebastian were rescued from neglect, and despite their arthritis, they still love to play and chase after squirrels.
Age did not slow down their personalities.
It’s a lot like a senior war veteran adopting a 13-year-old shelter dog left behind for deployment.
10. Even though dogs over the age of 7 make incredible pets, they are the highest-risk population in animal shelters.
11. Duval was struggling with severe skin allergies and was desperate for a home. This lovable pit bull was adopted by a couple who helped him become a certified therapy dog and reading education assistance dog.
12. Gabby, Duval, and Sunny became best friends in their senior years.
13. Maddie, an adorable Shih Tzu, was just what a 75-year-old widow needed to help him cope with depression and anxiety.
14. Stella was left behind when her owner moved right before Thanksgiving. The person who adopted her was shocked at how joyful Stella was and how much she enjoyed life.
That kind of joy is exactly what makes these adoptions hit so hard.
15. Old Dog Haven provides 'final refuge' homes for dogs while covering all of their medical care costs.
16. Sasha found herself homeless and alone after Hurricane Sandy hit. She was later adopted by her foster mom, who couldn't help but fall in love with her.
17. Sunny got along great with Fusaro's other rescue dog, Gabby. Sunny was the inspiration for the photography project that led to the creation of this book.
18. Here is just one of the hundreds of dogs saved from euthanasia by the rescue group Old Dog Haven. They provide foster homes for senior shelter dogs and continue to cover their veterinary costs for the rest of their lives.
19. This book is dedicated to all older dogs who deserve their second chances, and to Sunny, the dog who changed everything.
20. Author Laura T. Coffey with her two senior dogs, Manny and Frida.
21. Photographer Lori Fusaro with her two senior dogs, Sunny and Gabby.
22. The book cover features Stacie, a female cocker spaniel who was rescued by Old Dog Haven.
These senior dogs prove that second chances can be the best ones.
For another “rescued or nothing” moment, see the man who filled his home with rescued animals.
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