Dogs encounter many challenges and obstacles in life. Some are abandoned when owners can no longer care for them, while others grow old and are forgotten.
Love can feel like something out of reach for senior dogs who never stop hoping that someone will give them a second chance.
Charlie’s life turned upside down at 14 years old when his owner could no longer afford his food or medication. They decided to surrender him.
Luckily, that wasn’t the end of his story.
A Heartbreaking Surrender
When Charlie’s family gave him up, he was emaciated and in poor shape. His original owner gave him up because they couldn’t afford his basic needs.
Sara and her boyfriend came across his post and immediately felt they had to act.
“We ended up finding his post and got him,” Sara told GeoBeats Animals.
They brought him home to Malibu and were heartbroken to see the condition he was in.
He was neglected and infested with critters.
Charlie began the long process of recovery in his new home. His fur had to be shaved to treat the infestation, revealing just how much weight he had lost.
But despite his condition, Sara and her boyfriend fell in love with him the moment they saw him.
“I always wanted a senior dog,” Sara added. “It’s a no-brainer. Why not give them the absolute best last couple years? It’s the biggest reward.”
Finding Comfort And Building Trust
Charlie’s parents made sure that his adjustment to his new home was as easy as possible. Since his small dachshund legs made it difficult for him to move around, Sara’s boyfriend built ramps throughout the house.
Over time, Charlie started to feel safe again.
Still, his past left scars. Even after years in his new home, he became worried whenever his family left, no matter how briefly. If they leave him at home even for 20 minutes, when they return he is very excited.
Sara believes that when Charlie was abandoned, he probably thought all the time whether his family who surrendered him was coming back.
Loved And Home At Last
Charlie lives his best life in Malibu. The bond he shares with Sara and her boyfriend feels timeless.
“Our bond is really as if we’ve known him his whole life,” Sara said.
She admits that the thought of losing him one day brings her to tears.
“I will sit there and cry, imagining the day he’s not there,” she added.
Although Charlie is sixteen years old, he feels more energetic than ever.
After everything he’s endured, he has finally found a great home and a dream family. Above all, he now has the unconditional love that all dogs long for.