20-year-old dog ‘confused and heartbroken’ after being surrendered to Florida shelter
Working in an animal shelter can be a heartwarming and rewarding experience. It can also be devastating and challenging.
For the staff of the Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Florida, they received one of their most difficult surrenders yet just a few weeks ago.
Dax, a 20-year-old Weimaraner, was surrendered to the rescue in Loxahatchee on June 28, the shelter said in a TikTok.
“It is unfathomable to think about a loving, loyal 20-year-old senior dog, at the end of his lifespan, given up and left confused and heartbroken,” the shelter said in the video caption.
“A home should be forever,” the shelter said in the TikTok video.
@bigdogranchrescuefl PLEASE WATCH-LISTEN-READ-SHARE This is DAX a 20 year old Weimaraner surrendered by his owner and is now foster care with Big Dog Ranch Rescue. It is unfathomable to think about a loving loyal 20 year old senior dog, at the end of his life span, given up and left confused and heartbroken. Please let Dax’s story be a reminder of the responsibilities of being a dog owner, physically and emotionally. They are not just dogs-they are our children and our family memebers who love us unconditionally and remain forever loyal, asking for little in return. Miracle Fund Donate: Link in Bio Adopt: www.BDRR.org/adopt Foster: foster.manager@bdrr.org Donate: www.bdrr.org/donate Venmo: @bigdogranchrescue CashApp: @bigdogranchrescue Zelle: finance@bdrr.org #bdrr #bigdogranchrescue #fyp #savedogs #trending #adoptme #dogrescue #viralvideo #adoptdontshop #shelterstories #seniordogrescue #Weimaraner #weimaranersoftiktok #weimaranerrescue #helpadoptme #miracledogs ♬ the winner takes it all - november ultra
The video had more than 70,000 views on TikTok and thousands of comments as of July 13, some outraged and others offering their home.
“Dax still has a lot of life and love in him,” a rescue spokesperson told Newsweek. “He can get himself up onto a sofa and off again and is steady on his feet with a little assistance at first. He loves his toys and treats and is great with other dogs.”
Of the 3.1 million dogs entering U.S. shelters each year, senior dogs only have a 25% adoption rate, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates. That’s compared to a 60% adoption rate for younger dogs, McClatchy News previously reported.
But luckily for Dax, he didn’t have to wait long.
After seeing Dax’s story on social media, Sarasota nonprofit Love4Paws reached out to the rescue “in an attempt to pull him as soon as possible,” they said in a July 6 Facebook post.
Dax had been staying in a temporary foster home, Big Dog Ranch Rescue said in a TikTok video, and was quickly transported the Love4Paws facility.
There, he got a new set of wheels – and a pup cup.
“While we’d expected to keep Dax in our care for whatever time he had left, (Big Dog Ranch Rescue) located an adopter who they felt was right for him. Dax is now in his new home and we are so hopeful for his future,” Love4Paws said on Facebook. “This boy stole our hearts from the first second we saw him and we feel incredibly blessed to have been able to help him.”
Dax is now living with a board member from Big Dog Ranch Rescue with new dog siblings, the shelter said.
@bigdogranchrescuefl MIRACLES DO HAPPEN DAX UPDATE We are overjoyed to announce our beloved DAX has found a forever home! Yesterday, our dedicated team at Big Dog Ranch Rescue transported DAX from his temporary foster, Jozel who graciously cared for DAX while we searched to find the perfect home that would give DAX the love and care that he deserves for the remainder of his life. DAX was welcomed by his forever mother and his new siblings with loving open arms. We are so very grateful for this wonderful miracle! We cannot thank everyone enough for the outpouring of support in helping DAX on this journey and to ALL of those who offered to give DAX a home. ️ Through your support, we were able to provide DAX his necessary medication’s, supplies, food, a new wheelchair, new, orthopedic bed, and lots of toys for him to take to his new home! We are so very blessed that, TOGETHER we could give DAX this precious new life that he so deserves. THANK YOU Miracle Fund Donate: www.BDRR.org/miracle-fund Adopt: www.BDRR.org/adopt Foster: foster.manager@bdrr.org Donate: www.bdrr.org/donate Venmo: @bigdogranchrescue CashApp: @bigdogranchrescue Zelle: finance@bdrr.org #bdrr #bigdogranchrescue #fyp #savedogs #trending #dogrescue #viralvideo #adoptdontshop #shelterstories #supportdogrescue #shelterstories #seniordogrescue #weimaraner #weimaranersoftiktok #weim #dogshelter ♬ Gentle and warm background piano(1262846) - Noru
Big Dog Rescue Ranch said with the donations received from the public, they were able to buy snacks, food, medication, a new wheelchair, an orthopedic bed and lots of toys for Dax to take to his new home.
While the shelter doesn’t know the exact circumstances that led to his surrender, they noted to KHOU that Dax likely would not have made it to his second decade without good medical care throughout his life.
“They are not just dogs – they are our children and our family members who love us unconditionally and remain forever loyal, asking little in return,” a spokesperson told Newsweek.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue is in Loxahatchee in Palm Beach County, about 75 north of Miami.
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