When Tink arrived at Skiatook Paws and Claws Animal Rescue (SPACAR) last month, the first thing staff noticed — aside from her complete lack of teeth — was her astonishing size.
“She is the size of a hamster,” SPACAR board member Paige Bodden told The Dodo. “She’s so small.”
At around 9 years old, this itty-bitty Chihuahua came with a few challenges: no teeth, a heart murmur, and the kind of sass only a senior dog can deliver.
“She’s not your typical sweet little granny,” SPACAR shared. “Tink has got some spicy spunkiness, and we love to see it.”
The Queen of Her Castle
Now living with a foster mom, Tink has made it very clear that she lives life on her own terms. She doesn’t care for snuggles, she prefers her own space, and she’s not afraid to tell you when you’ve crossed a line.
“She’s definitely an older, set-in-her-ways granny Chihuahua who just wants to exist in someone’s house and do whatever she wants,” Bodden said.
Still, her personality is exactly what makes her shine. In a world full of cuddly puppies and eager-to-please young dogs, Tink is proudly doing her own thing — and people love her for it.
“She Is an Absolute Menace” — and We’re Obsessed
When Bodden posted a no-frills photo and caption of Tink on Instagram, she wasn’t expecting much. The caption read:
“She is 9 years old. She has no teeth. She has a heart murmur. And she is an absolute menace.”
It was honest. It was funny. It went viral.
The post racked up over 14,000 likes and hundreds of comments. People were instantly smitten.
“Not to be dramatic, but I would do anything for Tink,” one fan wrote.
And it didn’t stop there — Tink has now received over 200 adoption applications.
“She’s got more options than she knows what to do with,” Bodden said.
A Bright Future Ahead
Once Tink gets the medical care she needs for her heart murmur, she’ll be ready to choose her forever home — one that respects her independence, gives her space to be herself, and of course, spoils her rotten.
While senior dogs are often overlooked in shelters, Tink’s story proves that a little gray around the muzzle — and a lot of attitude — can win hearts everywhere.
“She’s a crotchety old Chihuahua,” Bodden said, laughing. “I had no idea that everybody would just fall head over heels for her.”
But they did. Because Tink is living proof that you don’t need teeth to leave a lasting impression.
To support Tink and other unforgettable rescue dogs, you can donate to Skiatook Paws and Claws here.
