Adopting a dog is no easy feat–especially when you’re adopting a dog that has been through many owners. When people go to a shelter, they usually look for small and cute puppies.
They often forget that elderly dogs, sickly dogs, and strays need just as much–if not more–love and care.
Well, one woman certainly didn’t forget that. She went to a shelter with the intention of adopting a dog that no one wanted.
Melani Andrews was from Galt, California. A dog lover, Melani used to enjoy visiting the park and other places with her dog and her husband.
Sadly, she had lost both of them. The 72-year-old bespectacled woman first lost her husband, which greatly devastated her.
And during her period of sadness, her main source of comfort was her Staffordshire terrier, Lola. Although Melani had her family, they lived far and had their own children to take care of.
Considering she was still a sprightly woman who could do most of her daily chores on her own, Melani didn’t think of moving in with her children and grandchildren.
They had a different opinion, though. They thought she needed someone with her.
Melani told an animal welfare publication that after the death of her husband and Lola, she felt lonely and depressed.
“My grandkids came over one night, and they said, ‘Grandma, you need somebody to keep you company. You can’t just sit around here all by yourself.'”
So, Melani decided it was time to get a furry companion. She went all the way to Sacramento and dropped by Front Street Animal Shelter.
It’s managed by the City of Sacramento, and their website has a lot of information for animal lovers, so Melani knew she would find what she was looking for there.
When Melani visited the shelter, the staff was caught by surprise.
Most visitors wanted young, trainable, and healthy dogs, but here was a woman who wanted the exact opposite!
“I wanted to help somebody–a dog–like Lola helped us, and so I told them I wanted the oldest dog they had, the one that everybody was passing up, and that I wanted to adopt him.
I don’t care if he’s sick, I don’t care if the shelter can help with bills. I don’t have a lot of money, but I’m sure I have enough to take care of a little dog.”
The excited staff showed Melani a kennel where there were three dogs. The other two ignored her, but the third–a 12-year-old stray–started howling. And Melani knew she had found the one.
But it wouldn’t be easy, Melani knew. The staff told her that the senior dog, named Jake, had terminal skin cancer. He was partially blind, as well as deaf.
Taking care of an elderly dog requires a lot of care, attention, and sometimes money, but Melani was prepared.
She remained optimistic and said:
“I thought, ‘We’re going to make his time as good as we can make it.'”
Source: Front Street Animal Shelter-City of Sacramento
Jake was one of the shelter’s oldest residents–in terms of age and stay. A lot of families passed him up, and everyone at the staff was just happy that one kind soul was giving this senior dog a chance to spend the rest of his days in a loving home.
As for Melani, she said that every day she spent with Jake made her feel a little less lonely.
“Every day I laugh a little bit more…. I think [Jake] knows that I love him….”
Even though it might be short, Jake will have had the chance to be loved and to love in return, all thanks to Melani.
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Source: The Dodo
