Too Sick to Be Adopted, But Not to Be Loved — This Senior Dog’s Final Chapter Will Melt Your Heart
A little senior dog named Taz Cuthbert was once destined to spend his final days in a shelter kennel, alone and without love and comfort. But everything changed when Roadogs Rescue stepped in, determined to give him a chance to experience warmth and care in his final chapter.
@roadogsrescue Ol’Codges are everything! ❤️ We love you Taz. #seniordog #adoptabledogs #seniordogsoftiktok ♬ Landslide (Early Version) – Fleetwood Mac
With chronic illnesses weighing heavily on him, Taz may never find a permanent home — but he’s no longer confined. Thanks to Roadogs, he took his freedom walk and will now spend his remaining days wrapped in unconditional love.
A Final Journey Filled with Love, Not Loneliness
Taz is, unfortunately, battling a grade 5/6 heart murmur alongside kidney issues. Given his fragile health, the chances of him being adopted are slim. Staying at the shelter would have meant spending his final days in sadness and isolation.
Thankfully, Roadogs took Taz out of the shelter and moved him to hospice care where he now lives with a compassionate woman named Kim. She is dedicated to providing him with the love and care he so deeply deserves until his final breath.
As the Southern California-based rescue believes, every dog — even seniors like Taz — deserves safety and warmth in the final chapter of their life.
Senior Dogs Deserve To Be Loved
Taz is already looking significantly better than he did in the shelter. The rescue shared a before-and-after image, showing him freshly groomed and radiating happiness — a beloved dog despite not having a forever family.
He may not have a forever family in the traditional sense, but he has something just as meaningful — a heart full of love and a place where he truly belongs. His journey is a beautiful reminder that every dog deserves kindness, no matter how much time they have left.
Pet rescue advocate and YouTuber Rocky Kanaka shared his thoughts on Taz’s journey, saying, “What Roadogs did for Taz is truly heartwarming. Senior dogs like him often get overlooked, but they deserve just as much love and comfort as any other dog. Taz may not have a forever home, but he finally has a family that makes him feel valued.”
What Is Dog Hospice and Why It Matters?
Dog hospice, also known as pawspice care, is a compassionate approach designed to provide comfort and dignity to terminally ill or elderly dogs in their final days. Dr. Stephanie Howe, a veterinarian, states, “Hospice care in veterinary medicine is quite similar to hospice in human medicine. Hospice care’s main focus is maintaining a dog’s comfort and quality of life as they near the end of their life.”
Hospice care for dogs encompasses not only physical comfort but also emotional support for you, the caregiver, during this challenging time. Typically initiated when a pet’s remaining time is limited, the hospice care team will work closely with you to ensure your dog’s final days are filled with love, care, and compassion.
In this type of care, medications are administered to provide comfort and alleviate symptoms, rather than treating or curing the underlying disease. This approach is similar to human hospice care, where medications like morphine are used to promote relaxation and comfort.
Veterinarians specializing in hospice care will work with you to:
- Schedule appointments
- Adapt your dog’s home environment for comfort
- Recommend medications for symptom management
In many cases, euthanasia is a natural part of the hospice care journey. Ultimately, the goal of hospice care is to provide peace and comfort for both your dog and your family during their final time together..
