While shelters are not ideal environments for dogs, many unfortunate souls find themselves spending their golden years in those grim settings.
The most heartrending cases involve senior dogs who are left behind in kennels after being cherished members of loving families for long periods.
Realizing that an older dog is unlikely to feel the comforts of a home again is a tough pill to swallow, as most people prefer adopting puppies or younger dogs.
Thankfully, there are still compassionate individuals willing to bring joy to these deserving furry companions, and today’s story exemplifies that spirit.
A Smile That Spoke Volumes
Mara, a twelve-year-old dog, was fortunate to have spent a significant portion of her life with a loving owner.
Unfortunately, that fairytale came to an abrupt end when her owner became homeless and could no longer care for her. With a heavy heart and tears in her eyes, she was compelled to surrender Mara to the Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha, Nebraska.
Mara’s future looked grim, and the shelter staff were not optimistic about her chances given her age. Nevertheless, like a beacon of hope, a kind-hearted individual appeared and gave her a new lease on life.
“I adopted this senior sweetheart yesterday!” wrote Sarah Brumfield, a 40-year-old community health educator from Omaha, Nebraska, in her Reddit post.
Adopted this senior sweetheart yesterday! (Bonus pic with her new sister)
by u/geekymama in BeforeNAfterAdoption
This post featured pictures of Mara before and after her adoption, highlighting her radiant smile in the latter photo.
Deep Affection for Senior Dogs
Sarah’s deep compassion for senior dogs emerged after losing her first beloved pet. They later adopted a puppy named Hera, but sorrow struck again when their second senior dog passed away.
Their hearts were heavy, taking time to mend, but finally, adopting Mara reignited their spirits. Her joyful demeanor brought healing and marked the start of a passionate journey—committing to adopting senior dogs.
“Our first dog together was 8 years old, and after that, we decided to continue adopting senior dogs,” Brumfield shared with Newsweek. “We love being able to give them a home for however much time they may have left.”
As Mara awaits a kindred spirit to share her remaining days, she delights in retirement alongside her younger sister, Hera.
“Hera and Mara are getting along splendidly! It feels as though Mara was always meant to be part of our family,” Brumfield happily expressed.
We hope this touching story will inspire others to embrace older dogs, who still have so much love to give.
Mara is living proof of this reality.
