Celebrating Seniors: Meet Our #AdoptedASeniorDog Contest Winners

In celebration of Adopt a Senior Pet Month, we asked everyone who adores an old dog to help spread the word by sharing why they #AdoptedASeniorDog on social media. What is it about these mature mutts that makes our hearts skip a beat? Is it their grey muzzles or tender hearts? Is it their puppy antics or senior demeanor? We asked, and you told us!

“Thanks to everyone who shared their adoption stories and love of old dogs. Senior dogs have so much to offer,” said Lisa Lunghofer, executive director of Grey Muzzle. “We hope these winning entries will inspire more people to open their hearts and homes to a senior dog who needs a second chance.”

Selected from more than 100 entries, the top ten listed below (in no particular order) share touching stories and photos of of their beloved best pals.

1. Cooper

A blessing came into our home and we call him Cooper. A senior rescue, then rehomed, he walked in with challenges. However, with patience, training and love, he has joy wherever he goes. He wins the hearts at senior living and charms the ladies at day care. He is wonderful with children especially those with special needs. He will never say no to a belly rub and has provided comfort to this disabled veteran. We are eternally grateful for this sweet creature we now call family. 

--Carol Czerniak from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

2. William

This is William! He was supposed to be a hospice foster for just a few days... the shelter told us he was nearly dead. He just celebrated 2 years!!!! William’s got wheels and the heart of a Lion! I love him so much and am so thankful he is thriving.

--Julie McKeever from Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania

3. Humphrey

Humphrey came from a Humane Society on Maryland's Eastern Shore. He was surrendered along with a half dozen other little Shih Tzu mixes who were likely used for breeding. The others, after vetting, grooming and socializing, were placeable. Poor Humphrey with his diminishing sight and no bottom jaw was unlikely to ever be adopted. But when I saw his picture back in 2012, I thought he was perfect! Humphrey is approximately 15-16 years old now, has lost an eye to glaucoma, and is on heart medication - but he is the sweetest, happiest little fat boy who has no idea he is old, or blind, or disabled.

--Bekye Eckert from Hampstead, Maryland

4. Hazel

#AdoptedASeniorDog because she stole my heart after I spent one day with her. I told her after that she’d never be alone or at the shelter again. And here we are over a year later.

--Cara Anselmo from New York, New York

5. Orville

We adopted Orville when he was about 12 years old. We enthusiastically adopt senior dogs because they are so easy to incorporate into our family. They go with the flow. They don’t chew shoes. They don’t dig in the yard. They don’t have to be supervised at every moment. They won’t chase the cat. They are great napping buddies. All they want is love and they have so much love to give back. By adopting a senior dog, you have the ability to make the last years of their life the best years of their life. It is such a wonderful gift for all involved.

--Sara Lamme from Omaha, Nebraska

6. Bina

Y’all don’t even know how much love this dog has given and has yet to give. Bina is the heart and soul of our family. Adopted at 10 years old and still fabulous 4 years later. Go get a Bina!

--Jessica from Memphis, Tennessee

7. Maxi

I adopted 11-year-old Maxi last month after she stole my heart. Her previous owner passed away, and nobody from the extended family could take Maxi. I didn't intend to adopt her or even foster her, but I quickly knew I couldn't let her go. She's the one who runs errands with me, joins me on every Zoom call, and greets me eagerly at the door when I come home. She's more playful than my younger dog and loves to show her frog toy that she means business! I'm so grateful that Maxi came into my life.

--Angela Robinson from Long Beach, California

8. Ben

Our senior dog Ben was found alone on the streets of rural Arkansas and taken to the municipal shelter where he was found to be heartworm positive and was scheduled for euthanasia. He was microchipped but his “family” didn’t want him anymore. His life was saved by Big Fluffy Dog Rescue, who took him under their wing, authorized life-saving surgery, cured his heartworm disease, and said a prayer. And he recovered! He has been living the life with us on the beach, on the farm, and as a rescue calendar superstar. Old dogs have soul and they love you with everything they’ve got. Ben, we are so thankful for you every day. 

--Lola B Doodle

9. Kimmie

Aloha, I am Kimmie, and I was found wandering the streets when I was rescued and taken to the Maui Humane Society. I was a mess, but after xrays, blood work, dental, extraction of 8 painful teeth, breast cancer removal, spay and a good grooming, I felt like a new woman!

Even if my eyes are a bit clouded over, I greet everyone with a happy smile and helicopter tail wag. I was picked to be the best friend to a 98-year-old grandma who needed a companion in this time of isolation and Covid. We are a perfect Senior-for-a-Senior match! As long as I can get belly rubs and lie down on my person’s lap all day, I am happy as a clam. I don’t like to go on long walks or car rides. In fact, I would rather be a homebody TV buddy!

--Miyo Kim from Hawaii

10. Conan

We adopted our grey-muzzled guy, Conan, not knowing how old he was at the time. His calm, quiet, and sensitive nature was a perfect fit for the volunteering we did as a registered therapy dog team. Together we visited nursing home residents, taught students about dog bite prevention, and helped children with their literacy and communication skills through the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program at our local library.

--Wendy Ellis from Madison, Wisconsin