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By Maria Azzurra Volpe
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A shelter from Rhode Island recently shared the story of a 20-year-old dachshund who ended up homeless after his owner passed, and internet users can't cope with how sweet and lovable the senior pup is.
In a viral TikTok video shared on Monday under the username @vintagepetrescue, a retirement and hospice home for senior dogs in Rhode Island, known as Vintage Pet Rescue, shared the story of Sprout, a pup who lost everything at his most-vulnerable age.
"This week a 20-year-old dachshund landed in shelter in Providence. Sadly, Sprout's elderly owner passed, and he had nowhere to go. When we got the call, we knew he belonged with us," the caption says.
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The poster, Alex Petrarca, told Newsweek that Sprout is a very cute, sweet little old man who loves being held, and while he is in hospice, he is going to get all the love and care from the rescue for however long he has left.
The caption says: "As we left, the shelter staff thanked us and said 'good luck' to Sprout. He'd already seen a vet and been given vaccines and preventatives. He was so ready to go. Like every new vintage pup, Sprout got a welcome home bath.
"Now all that's left to do is meet the crew. It will take some time for Sprout to settle in. But we are very glad he's here with us," the caption adds.
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Petrarca said: "I'd like to add that it is important for all pet owners to have a plan in the event of their passing to prevent their pets from ending up in a shelter. A lot of people will write a friend, family member, or a specific rescue into their will to take their pets after they pass away.
"Additionally, we know a lot of people prefer adopting younger animals, but please consider adopting a senior pet the next time you're at a shelter or rescue. You will make such a big impact on them, and they won't end up spending the end of their life alone."
While adoption numbers are going up, senior pups are still being left behind, forced to spend their remaining days in their kennels or face euthanasia. Senior dogs have a 25 percent adoption rate, which is very low compared to the 60-percent adoption rate of younger dogs and puppies.
A dog is usually considered a senior once they reach the last 25 to 30 percent of their life, and that can change based on size, breed, and the environment they live in. Generally, large or giant breeds become seniors between 5 and 7 years of age, while, for smaller dogs, that usually happens closer to 8 and 11 years of age.
The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 320,000 views and more than 52,000 likes on the platform.
One user, Puppups664, commented: "Thank you for making his last years, good years. He has to be so confused and sad that his person is gone, but looks like he is part of a new pack and happy."
Everything was Magenta said: "He had be well loved to make it to 20. I know his pet parent is waiting to see him again on the other side of the bridge. We Doxie Moms love our babies."
Banana4Scale added: "Our hearts break when we lose our pets. I bet theirs break when they lose their people. Thank you for giving him a soft place to land."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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