Read Granny's adoption story in her mom's own words.
Granny was no spring chicken. She was a 13-year-old German Shepherd
with poor vision and hearing loss. She also had a large
tumor in her abdomen. Her chances of being adopted seemed slim.
Fortunately, that didn't deter Tammy Lord from adopting her after looking into Granny's big brown eyes on her computer monitor.
Granny was transported to Tammy in New Hampshire from Vermilion County Animal Shelter in Danville, IL. When Tammy met the transport van, she says, "I fell in love with her all over again. She was so petite and dainty. I couldn't wait to get her home."
Granny fit right into her new family. "She instantly accepted my two middle-aged dogs," Tammy says. "They seemed to sense right off that she was to be treated with respect and that she wasn't a new rough-housing playmate. ... She is the most loving, loyal, best-behaved dog I have ever had."
Tammy had the tumor removed and makes sure Granny gets regular
veterinary check-ups. "The way I see it," Tammy says, "she has earned
that special treatment for many years of loyalty."
She doesn't understand how a dog like Granny can be relinquished to a shelter. But someone's loss is Tammy's gain, although she admits that adopting older dogs can be an "emotional roller coaster ride" because you may not have years with the pet whom you have come to love. But, she adds, "at least they know that someone loved them at the end and they were worthy of that love, and that's what adopting a senior dog means to me."
Granny represents thousands of older pets who are too-often overlooked when they have so much to give. Petfinder is highlighting one of them each week this month for Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month.
Update: We're sorry to report that Granny has passed away. "It happened so quickly; she just got tired fighting her old age," Tammy told us. "But I held her in my arms right up until I had to say my final goodbye to her. I told her one final time that I loved her as she very calmly went to sleep."
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She doesn't understand how a dog like Granny can be relinquished to a shelter. But someone's loss is Tammy's gain, although she admits that adopting older dogs can be an "emotional roller coaster ride" because you may not have years with the pet whom you have come to love. But, she adds, "at least they know that someone loved them at the end and they were worthy of that love, and that's what adopting a senior dog means to me."
Granny represents thousands of older pets who are too-often overlooked when they have so much to give. Petfinder is highlighting one of them each week this month for Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month.
Update: We're sorry to report that Granny has passed away. "It happened so quickly; she just got tired fighting her old age," Tammy told us. "But I held her in my arms right up until I had to say my final goodbye to her. I told her one final time that I loved her as she very calmly went to sleep."
After years in a cage, a senior cat gets to stretch out
Cat litter ad + Petfinder iPhone app = one happy Pit Bull
From puppy mill rescue to star spokesdog
An abused Pit Bull - amazing before & after pics
A Pit Bull whose time almost ran out
Puppy mill dogs make case for ballot measure
Coolidge deals new pet parents a winning hand
Meet Sarge, the Wonder Pit Bull!
Rescue dog Louie hits the road
Blind dog brings together Peke pals
