Hello, my name is Emily, and one of the biggest parts of my life has been rescuing animals, specifically senior and special needs dogs. All rescue canines are important, but why specifically these two kinds? Senior and special needs dogs are among the first to be considered for euthanization on the canine side when a shelter becomes too full to hold any more individuals. Often times potential adopters think that these dogs have one paw in the grave before they even meet them, but the majority of the time that simply isn't true. I have seen many cases of senior dogs, including my own that is pictured, act much like a puppy once introduced into a loving home. And others-if not more energetic, are instead twice as cuddly-opt to spend their time curled up lovingly on their owner’s laps as they live out their golden years. Senior dogs can also give back by having the potential to become amazing therapy animals due to their typically docile nature. The same goes for special needs dogs who are usually easier to care for than most adopters think: such as buying wet food for a dog with no teeth. Even if the dog does have medical expenses, many shelters will offer to help cover costs so long as they can get it adopted out or fostered with a family. Yet there is still this assumption that any disability, or old age, on an animal means that an owner would have to shell out incredible amounts of money to care for them. The reality is that senior and special needs dogs are just like any other dogs; all they want is to love you and make you happy.

Due to my amazing experiences with these kinds of pets, I have gained a new goal in life. I hope to someday open a sanctuary for such dogs to live out their golden years and to prove that, just because a rescue isn’t a picture perfect puppy in a pet store, doesn’t mean that it can’t be just as lovable and caring, if not more so. I implore anyone I meet that is looking to adopt a dog to check out their local animal shelter before they go to a store and to spend time with all the dogs before making a choice. Even if they don’t ultimately adopt either of the types of dogs I have talked about, it still saves lives in the end by opening up space in the shelter, and that is the most important part.