Dog In and Out of Shelters for 12 Years Finds Her Forever Family After Terminal Cancer Diagnosis (Exclusive)

Rosita, a 13-year-old dog, is enjoying her golden years by swimming, cuddling and eating peanut butter with her new family

Rosita is getting the most out of her golden years.

According to Best Friends Animal Society, the 13-year-old dog has spent much of her life in and out of animal shelters. Her journey recently brought her to Best Friends' sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, where she finally found her forever home.

"Rosita was transferred to Best Friends from a facility in Arizona with medical records dating back to 2021. So, we can assume she's been in and out of shelters for several years before making her way here. She arrived with a severe injury spanning from her neck, chest, and torso almost all the way down one of her front legs," Jamie Prewett, a lifesaving outcomes specialist with Best Friends, tells PEOPLE.

Prewett adds while it will never be clear what led to Rosita's injuries, the dog found the care she needed to recover at Best Friends.

"Rosita's injuries required her to spend quite a few months at our sanctuary clinic, where she received great care and made a lot of great friends," Prewett says.

Unfortunately, there were some health issues Best Friends couldn't fix. Rosita has terminal, inoperable bladder cancer. But this diagnosis doesn't mean that the dog has stopped enjoying life.

When she first met the canine, Prewett says Rosita "immediately charged at me with a huge smile, full-body wiggles, and a wagging tail. I fell in love with her right away. It's nearly impossible not to."

"Rosie steals all the attention the moment she enters a room. She's got a very large presence
about her. She's got a youthful, fun energy about her that makes it hard to believe she's almost 13 years old," she adds.

Related: Dog Who Lost Her 'Limbs, Ears, Tail, and Toes' to Animal Cruelty Cares for Foster Puppies as She Heals

Prewett became so smitten with Rosita that she introduced the dog to her husband, Marc Supancich, a lifesaving & care specialist with Best Friends, and he found himself enamored with the canine, too.

"Rosita has a huge heart to go along with her huge smile," Supancich says.

Soon, Prewett and Supancich found themselves fostering Rosita to spend more time with the dog and help with her care.

"Jamie approached me one day with a question: 'What if we adopt Rosie?' Without hesitation, it
was an absolute yes. I thought, 'Let's give her the most amazing and fulfilling life we can offer her for the remainder of her time here,'" Supancich recalls.

"She fit in so well with our family – our dogs, our cats, our kid, and ourselves. It was like a 'duh' moment for me," Prewett adds.

The family officially adopted the dog in August and has fallen even more in love with the canine as time passes. While the family is working to show Rosita she deserves happiness and love during her final chapter; the dog is teaching her new owners just as much.

Related: Dogs in Shelter for Weeks Enjoy Valentine's Day Photo Shoot in Hopes of Finally Finding Homes

"Rosie has been an amazing addition to our family. She has taught us all so much about really enjoying the present moment. She has shown me just how much a little bit of love from others can be so beneficial in physical and mental well-being," Supancich says.

Prewett and Supancich know their time with Rosita is limited because of the pet's terminal cancer diagnosis and that reality can be a struggle. Still, the pair says they have no regrets about making Rosita's life the best it can be.

"Cancer is a terrible thing to have to watch anybody go through. It's a rollercoaster full of ups & downs, good days & bad days. The most important thing is that we love her, give her comfort and peace, and make sure that each day is as good as possible. The heartbreak is overshadowed by the reward," Prewett says, adding, "We try not to put much thought into losing her. Rather, we just do our best to focus on the here and now and enjoy every second we have left with our puppy girl."

Those precious moments together are spent doing Rosita's favorite things: swimming, eating peanut butter, cuddling with the dog's three feline siblings, and meeting new people.

"She's wild, full of joy, affectionate, and silly. One of the sweetest dogs I have ever met, as well as one of the best snuggle-buddies I've ever met. She's got it all," Prewett says of the pooch.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The dog's devoted family hopes Rosita's adoption story encourages others to give a home to senior pets and animals with medical issues.

"I hope people will have more confidence in their own strengths to consider taking something like this on. We must overcome the fear of grief and replace it with the willingness to give dogs like Rosita a soft landing. I understand how difficult it can be to make the decision to adopt a senior dog, especially one that is hospice, but there is no feeling quite like it. They deserve the comfort of a home and the love of a family," Prewett says.

To learn more about Best Friends Animal Society and how to get involved through adoption, fostering, and volunteering, visit the organization's website.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.