Senior dogs bring warmth and peace to every shelter. With their gentle nature and love of cuddles, they often make ideal companions, though many are passed over simply because of age.
For one dog, being overlooked wasn’t due to lack of appeal. His story carried an even deeper heartbreak.
Henree, a hearing-impaired dog at a Los Angeles, California, shelter, was accidentally left behind after sleeping through a fire evacuation.
Curled up in the corner of his kennel, he had no idea the building was being cleared. When he finally woke, he was the only one remaining among sixty dogs. The confusion on his face said it all.
He Was The Only Pup Left Behind
Unlike the other dogs, Henree was the only one at the California shelter who remained silent during the emergency evacuation amid the LA fires. Why? He’s a deaf senior who wasn’t disturbed by the chaos.
The shelter volunteers, rushing to save the dogs, didn’t have time for a final sweep. Consequently, Henree was accidentally left behind.
“Forced to move quickly under life-threatening circumstances, shelter staff had no time to do a final walk-through before they were ordered to leave the property. In the chaos, Henree was accidentally left behind,” CUDDLY stated in a Facebook post.
Once staff realized he was missing, they immediately acted. They contacted local rescuers to assist Henree, and within just 24 hours, a team of compassionate people stepped in.
The volunteers from Starts With One Today took over Henree’s rescue. Upon arriving at the shelter, they heard Henree barking in confusion.
Sadly, Henree’s prolonged time at the shelter had caused severe smoke inhalation, compounding his preexisting intestinal parasite issue.
Considering his senior age, the rescuers knew he wasn’t in peak condition. Still, during recovery, Henree displayed incredible resilience.
Before long, he made a full recovery. He only required minor medical care and plenty of TLC.
A Miracle Twist
Thanks to the swift efforts of his rescuers, Henree soon found himself in the comfort of a foster home. Dillon and Olivia, a caring couple, welcomed him warmly and gave him the stability he needed.
What began as a foster arrangement quickly turned into something much more. Within days, the couple realized they couldn’t imagine life without him. He was adopted!
“It didn’t take long for them to be unable to imagine their lives without him, so they decided to make things permanent. Henree was officially adopted, and he will spend the rest of his days being loved and cherished,” CUDDLY wrote.
This incredible update was exactly what everyone who helped rescue Henree had been hoping for.
From a tense twenty-four-hour ordeal to a permanent home, Henree’s adoption journey stands as a testament to the amazing things a community can accomplish together. Thanks to their efforts, Henree, a senior deaf dog, finally has a loving home.
Enjoy your golden years, sweet boy!