Just like with aging humans, senior dogs who suffer from joint pain or muscle issues can find living in a home with stairs difficult. In many cases, a dog may just stay on the ground floor because going upstairs is too much for them.

One family in South Carolina couldn’t bear to leave their 15-year-old dog Jackson downstairs all the time due to his hip dysplasia. So, they made a pretty significant investment: an elevator.

The Things We Do For Our Dogs

Okay, so technically, it’s a regular working elevator, theoretically to be used by a single person at a time. The elevator was installed during home renovations to make accessing the upper floors easier for homeowners as they get older. But for now, we’ll say it’s a dog elevator specifically, and it’s adorable.

–>Related Post: Boy And His Dog Abandoned In Cemetery Days Before Christmas

A TikTok video posted by @loganmend624 (a.k.a. Logan) shows Jackson, the 15-year-old Yellow Lab, sitting in a transparent, tube-shaped elevator.

“When you’re 15 and the best boy ever so your parents get you an elevator,” the caption reads.

Jackson can’t really use the elevator by himself since someone needs to open the door for him. But it does allow him to go wherever his family members are without the pain of climbing steps.

Some in the comments tried to claim Jackson is “terrified” inside the tubevator (a contraction I just made up), but in a follow-up Q&A video, Logan explained:

“He loves it, it’s much easier than carrying him up the stairs. And for those of you that said he’s terrified, he’s not, he loves it, he just jumps right in.”

Less pessimistic people pointed out that the elevator is certainly doing its job in making life easier for Jackson.

“Lots of people making fun of this, but as a Veterinary nurse with a passion in OA management this makes me SO HAPPY!!!!!” – @scottishwolflass via TikTok

Giving Back To Our Dogs (Within Our Own Budgets)

Of course, several pointed out the likely costs of installing an elevator in your house are prohibitive to most dog parents. No, we can’t all do this for our senior pups, but isn’t it nice to see that some would choose to use their money to improve a beloved dog’s life?

“My life goal is to be rich enough to give my dog the life she deserves like your good boi.” – @kim.rose.art via TikTok

Oh, the things I would get for my dog if I had a bigger budget. If you can’t afford an elevator (most of us can’t), you can always try DIY ways to make your senior dog’s life easier, like this makeshift lift one Bulldog parent made.

For tips on how to help your dog suffering from hip dysplasia, read this.

–>Related Post: Woman Locks Her Dogs In 114F Hot Car, Cop Asks Her To Sit Locked In Same Hot Car

🐕 We are a small group of dog-loving people who decided to undertake this small project to help dogs that are abandoned in the streets. Using a % of the money raised from sales, we take care of feeding them and grant them a home to live in.

Get Yours Here👇
https://bit.ly/3evmsS8

Thanks so much for your support!
Much Love. ❤️

The post 15-Year-Old Dog With Hip Dysplasia Has His Own Elevator appeared first on G2a-ltc.

Growing old is just another step in the journey of life – and like many things in life it has both ups and downs.

“The best thing is getting into the movies cheaper,” Lily Tomlin said about aging during a PSA for the Grey Muzzle Organization, as she joined her fellow comedy legends like Bob Newhart, Carl Reiner, and Carol Burnett.

“I’m 90, but I still feel like I am 30 … except when I try to run,” Newhart added.

The four actors spoke candidly about life as senior citizens in order to help raise awareness for senior dogs since “growing old is not a death sentence,” as Newhart mentioned – but sadly for many senior dogs, that is what it becomes.

“Many older dogs are surrendered to shelters because their owners have passed away or couldn’t afford their care,” Burnett said during the PSA.

“And for some of them there are no more options,” Newhart continued.

In order to help provide senior dogs with options and second chances for finding forever homes, these four celebrities are endorsing their support of The Grey Muzzle Organization – an animal welfare organization that provides grants to animal rescue and shelters who are dedicated to caring for senior animals.

Thanks to this kind of support, more rescues and shelters will be able to cater to senior dogs and take them in since they’ll be able to provide them with proper medical care as they find them forever homes for their golden years.

If you are interested in learning more about The Grey Muzzle Organization and the ways that you can help get involved in this wonderful cause, you can visit their website, as well as consider adopting a senior pet as well.

“They will be so grateful,” Tomlin added.

And it’s true. Senior pets deserve the same chance as their younger counterparts.

The post Carol Burnett Speaks Up For Senior Pets: ‘Growing Old Is Not A Death Sentence’ appeared first on G2a-ltc.

Freddy the Great Dane went viral for his tall stature. He towered over his mom and even his Great Dane sister. So, he was proud when he earned the title of “World’s Tallest Dog” in 2016. Not long after, he was also suspected to be one of the oldest living Great Danes. He loved all the fans he made during his rise to fame, but sadly, he fell on hard times at the beginning of 2021.

Freddy passed away at age 8 1/2. His family is devastated after this sudden loss, but are thankful for all the love and support they’ve received. One thing is for sure: Freddy will never be forgotten.

Freddy’s World Record

In 2016, Freddy won the Guinness World Record for the tallest living dog after a vet measured him. Freddy stood 103.5 centimeters (3 feet, 4 inches) from feet to withers. When standing on his hind legs, he was 226 centimeters (7 feet, 5.5 inches) tall. However, only the first one counts for an official record.

The tallest dog ever was another Great Dane named Zeus, who measured 111.8 centimeters (44 inches) from feet to withers. Yet, he only stood 7 feet, 4 inches on his hind legs, so Freddy had the victory there. Zeus passed away in 2014 at 5 years old.

Most Great Danes live for 8 to 10 years at most, so Freddy lived a long, healthy life. His mom, Claire Stoneman, said that Freddy was the runt of the litter when she got him. Yet, he quickly grew taller than his sister, Fleur, who was from the same litter. Freddy had a life of many achievements, so it’s sad to see it all come to an end.

Rest in Peace, Freddy

Freddy passed away peacefully, surrounded by love. Stoneman spent every moment with him as she said her final goodbyes. She even got a print of his paw after he passed, which she said is something he never would’ve let her do while he was alive because he hated his feet being touched.

“He was not just the tallest dog but the dog with the most love and the biggest heart. A total soppy bugger who was hand fed,” Stoneman said. “He was my life, my reason, my joy, my annoyance. My happiness and my ultimate sadness. He was my heart Dane. My one in a million and loved by the entire world. I can’t stop crying.”

Freddy was a gentle giant. Many people were intimidated by his size, but once they got to know him, they saw what a big sweetheart he truly was. His story will not only live on through his records but also through the hearts of those who loved him.

Please SHARE to pass on this story to a friend or family member.

The post Freddy The World’s Tallest Dog Passes Away At 8 ½ Years Old appeared first on G2a-ltc.

Children bond with their childhood pets in such a strong way. We never forget our first puppy love and will always hold them close in our hearts. For Nicole Grimes of Pennsylvania, the pup that first made that kind of mark was a small black and gray girl named Chloe.

A Gift from Nana

Nicole’s grandmother gifted her the puppy when Nicole was 10 years old. Dressed in a pink bow, Nicole was immediately infatuated with the adorable puppy. The pair was soon inseparable. They enjoyed a loving and close friendship for 4 wonderful years. Life circumstances changed, though, and Nicole’s family had to make a heartbreaking decision.

Surrendered to the Humane Society

Nicole’s father had started a new job that required him to work from home with frequent phone calls. Chloe was quite the barker and the noise made it difficult for Nicole’s dad to engage in work conversations. One day, Nicole’s dad picked her up from school with Chloe in the back seat and she knew something terrible was about to happen. They surrendered Chloe to the local Humane Society leaving Nicole terribly sad and lonely.

Now an Adult, She Decided to Adopt

Fast forward 7 years and Nicole was a 21 year old young woman with a child of her own. Her daughter Violet had recently celebrated her first birthday and Nicole was considering adopting a dog for the family. Coincidentally, a Facebook friend shared a photo of a senior dog she was fostering that needed a new home. The dog’s elderly parents had passed away and the neighbor, Nicole’s Facebook friend, was taking care of her until she found her new family. When Nicole saw the photo and learned the dog’s name was Chloe, she felt it was meant to be and brought the 11 year old dog home.

Could it Be?

Once Chloe came home and Nicole was able to hold and love on her, she started to think maybe, just maybe this was actually her Chloe. Could it be possible that all these years later, Chloe and Nicole were reunited? Nicole posted to Facebook,

“As the day went on, different things she did/how she acted was EXACTLY what my old Chloe did. Last night I was holding her and just cried and cried because that dog was hugging me back and I just held her close to my heart. I just knew in my heart this was my Chloe.”

She told her husband of her hunch and he thought the idea was crazy. Not to be deterred, Nicole set out to find the truth.

Microchip Check

Nicole’s mother called the Washington Humane Society to obtain the chip number for the Chloe they had surrendered all those years ago. Nicole then took Chloe to their local vet and had her microchip scanned. The number registered to the ‘new’ Chloe was 024 099 811. The number associated with the surrendered Chloe was the same. In an amazing twist of fate, Nicole had adopted the very dog she had been forced to give up as a child.

There is nothing greater than seeing those who love each other dearly be reunited. This story reminds us of many worthwhile life lessons.
Never give up hope. Miracles do happen. And love conquers all.

🐕 We are a small group of dog-loving people who decided to undertake this small project to help dogs that are abandoned in the streets. Using a % of the money raised from sales, we take care of feeding them and grant them a home to live in.
Get Yours Here👇

https://bit.ly/3zzOSRw

The post Woman Unknowingly Rescues Senior Dog She Lost 11 Years Prior appeared first on G2a-ltc.

Couple Beth and Michael Clark are the kind of animal heroes that donate blankets to shelters in the winter to help provide some comfort and warmth to those dogs without a family of their own.

But after a trip to Anne Arundel County Animal Control in December 2015, to donate blankets and supplies they came home with something extra.

The couple made eye contact with a sad-looking 17-year-old dog called Rocky and couldn’t leave him.

“I saw this gray-faced, skinny dog and I said to my husband, ‘We’re getting him,’” Beth told Today. “I was not about to leave that old man to die in a cage.”

“Rocky made our life very complete,” Beth told TODAY.

“He loved dancing with us and being near us … as the year went on, it got harder for him to climb the stairs and go on walks, so my husband would carry him up the stairs every night just so he could sleep next to us, and instead of walks we just sat outside in the sun together.”

Special families opening their hearts to senior dogs

Robin Catlett, an administrator at Anne Arundel County Animal Control, said that more families are considering adopting a senior dog.

“It takes a special family to open their heart and home to an animal that they may only get to have in their lives for a short period of time,” said Robin. “We do our best to make the animals as comfortable as possible in our care, however we know this can never replace a forever home.”

When Beth found out she was pregnant she was overjoyed and told Today the bigger she got the more gentle Rocky was with her. He was a huge support system for the Maryland mom-to-be.

Rocky’s health started to fail

The couple even announced their pregnancy with a picture of a Rocky and a sign above which read, “Mom and Dad are getting me a human!”

But when Beth was 7 months pregnant Rocky’s health started to fail and they were told their sweet senior dog may have a tumor.

The day Beth and Michael brought their new baby girl home, Rocky sniffed her and put his head near hers but his health was failing and the couple knew it was time to let their precious hound go.

“I called a vet and that night, he went peacefully with his family by him,” Beth told Today. “We loved him more than words can describe and we still have a very hard time adjusting to him not being here.”

The Clarks believe that Rocky held on to meet his new human sister.

You are truly amazing animal heroes, Beth and Michael! Thank you for deciding to adopt Rocky and make his final years happy and loved ones.

Please share to pay tribute to this special couple and sweet dog Rocky, who will never be forgotten.

🐕 We are a small group of dog-loving people who decided to undertake this small project to help dogs that are abandoned in the streets. Using a % of the money raised from sales, we take care of feeding them and grant them a home to live in.
Get Yours Here👇

https://bit.ly/3zzOSRw

The post Couple adopt 17-year-old dog from shelter, he stays alive long enough to meet human sister appeared first on G2a-ltc.

A twelve-year-old Spanish Mastiff, now named Titan, was buried alive in Jaén, Spain, and left to die.

Thankfully, he was found in a 50-foot ravine by farmers who were walking by the area between Santo Tomé and Quesada.

Titan was half buried and was in such bad condition. He was malnourished and was so weak that he could barely move, and had basically accepted his fate and given up on life.

But his fate would be nothing like he thought. The person who found him was able to rescue him just in the nick of time.

He was taken in by the TARA Association, where he is finally receiving the care he needs. He is expected to make a full recovery and is now enjoying his second chance at life in a foster home.

It’s unknown who buried Titan there, but there are many better options to go with if you can no longer care for your pet. Please contact a local shelter to discuss your options, and never abandon your animal.

Watch Titan’s rescue in the video below:

Please ‘SHARE’ to pass on this story to a friend or family member

The post 12-Year-Old Dog Cried Out For His Human After He Buried Him Alive In Woods & Left appeared first on G2a-ltc.