No One Wanted This 12-Year-Old Dog—Until One Woman Changed Everything
When TikTok user @Kristent Brown walked into Miami Dade Animal Shelter a couple of days ago, her goal was clear: to open her heart and home to the oldest dog at the shelter. As her eyes wandered through the kennels, they landed on Jackie Lynn, a 12-year-old pup who almost every visitor overlooked. Jackie had gotten used to being passed by, so much so that she had somehow made peace with the possibility of spending her remaining years behind the cold kennel bars.
@kristentbrown to my sweet 12 year old Jackie Lynn♥️ (I cried making this) #dogsoftiktok #doglover #adoptdontshop #shelterdog ♬ Landslide (2017 Remaster) – Fleetwood Mac
With every passing day, she watched visitors go for the young, vibrant pups who seemed to have many years ahead of them. So when Kristent stopped by her kennel and showed her attention, Jackie felt like it was a scene playing out in her dreams. What she didn’t know was that a day after this surprising visit, she’d leave the shelter for good with Kristent as her forever person.
Goodbye Shelter Life
To other people, Jackie was nothing more than an old, worn-out pup not worthy of committing to because “her time was running out.” But Kristent saw her differently. In her eyes, Jackie was a deserving soul with a heart overflowing with unconditional love.
There was nothing about Jackie that could convince Kristent to change her mind about adopting her. Not her graying face. Not her tired, arthritis-affected legs. Not her faded youthful excitement. Nothing. Immediately Kristina saw Jackie, she knew she had found her dog.
Kristina came back to the shelter the next day bearing adoption gifts for Jackie to make her feel loved right off the bat: the cutest pink leash, a glitter rubber bone, a few plush toys, and treats. And as the two left the shelter, Kristent was more than determined to ensure Jackie’s remaining years become the best years of her life.
From Overlooked to Overloved
Ever since Jackie stepped on Kristent’s welcoming doorstep, she’s been feeling like the most loved and spoilt dog in the world. Her new life under Kristent’s roof includes unlimited toys, a soft, heated bed to rest her fragile joints, refreshing morning walks, a spacious yard where she sunbathes as she enjoys some fresh air, and canine siblings who double up as her playmates.
Jackie is no longer the sad, forgotten dog waiting for true love; she now wakes up to it every day. And to Kristent, every moment spent with Jackie is a precious gift. If she had to do it all over again, she would still choose this sweet senior.
Give Senior Dogs a Chance
It’s common for senior pups to find themselves languishing in shelters longer than they deserve. Their only mistake? Being old. What many forget is that true love isn’t necessarily defined by the number of years; it’s defined by the beautiful moments shared.
While senior dogs may be unlucky in the years they have left, they have the potential to beautify your life in a way you never imagined, even if it’s for a short time.
“Senior dogs love with a special kind of devotion because they know what it feels like to be overlooked, to wait, and to constantly wonder whether love will ever locate them. When you give a senior pup a chance, you’ll come to realize that they were the missing piece in your life all along,” pet rescue advocate Rocky Kanaka says.
Thinking of welcoming a senior furry soul into your life? Check out these 100 rescues and sanctuaries that specialize in senior dogs.
