Old Man

By Ally Schreck

About a year ago, almost to the day, we started our fostering journey. We (by "We" I mean me, my husband said yes so I wouldn't keep adopting dogs!) knew we wanted to foster eventually, but agreed it was best we wait until we were settled in our new home and our second resident pup who would soon be coming home was fully vetted and trained. God had other plans. 

Through a bizarre series of events (a story for another time), instead of picking up our new pup, I found myself scrambling to get a senior pittie mix and a baby hound to safety. Shout out to Nicole, another CRARS foster mom, for helping us accomplish this! It was clear both boys were dehydrated and malnourished, but despite all they had been through-- happy. Dogs are resilient like that. 

Old Man's first day with the Schrecks

The senior pittie, Old Man, like many other senior pets up for adoption, aren't easily adopted... Thus, we have learned all of the quirks that come along with senior pets! He walks like an old cowboy and needs help getting up and down stairs, due to arthritis and old breaks that were never reset properly, but not so surprisingly he is always spry enough to get on the couch!  At some point in his pre-CRARS life, he was chained up with only rocks to eat, which left him almost toothless- he prefers watered down kibble to canned wet food. At night he has to sleep with a visual of where we are, or he cries all night. Baby gates will not stop him if he desires something softer to lie on in the next room. If he decides it's not time to go outside, Old Man goes boneless blocking the whole doorway with his body. He sleeps 60% of the day in a bed that is way too small for him but he insists it works. Old Man also has the biggest smile that makes all the bad of the day melt away- not so much a quirk, but definitely a perk. 

Old Man soaking up the sun

So a year later, he is still here. We are giving him the life he has always deserved and we will continue to do so until the right adopter comes along! Old Man deserves someone who will tear up when they talk about how much they love him. All dogs do. And that is why we foster, to allow dogs the chance to find that love.