16-Year-Old Chihuahua Surrendered to Shelter for 'Mobility Issues' Gets Beautiful Second Chance
A Chihuahua in North Carolina has gotten her second chance at happiness. The pup, who has mobility issues, was meant to be euthanized. But it was a person who saw Glamma Gussie and decided to give her a chance that has completely changed the senior dog's life.
The dog was 16 years old and in rough shape when she was surrendered to a shelter, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have a lot of life yet to live.
The dog's new mama, Chrissy, found her just when things looked their worst. As Chrissy explained in the caption, the shelter did a medical evaluation of Glamma Gussie and found that "she’s mostly struggling due to her growths and mobility but she’s playful and seems to be pain free."
Related: Dog Mom Moving Her Bedroom Downstairs For Her Senior Pups Is So Touching
"They felt like she deserves a chance at her end of life being outside the shelter environment and I couldn’t agree more," Chrissy added.
Which is why the animal lover has decided to provide Glamma Gussie a home for the end of her life.
Commenters praised Chrissy for giving Gussie the love she needs at the end of her life. "I can't understand how someone can have a dog for 16 years and do this...I would beg, borrow, and steal if I had to, to save my dog," wrote one disgusted commenter. "Some people have hearts of stone. Thank goodness she came across you," one person praised. "As someone who just had to put down their senior dog, I have so much appreciation for you doing this and will def take in a senior in the future. I can’t understand how owners abandon them," someone else agreed.
Giving Hospice Care to Senior Dogs
Hospice and palliative care for animals is proof that life doesn't have to end with them being put down. There are pros and cons to both paths, but for some dogs end of life care might be the better option.
Similar to when humans receive hospice care, some animal care facilities or individual rescuers might provide the services to help pets in their last stages of life. Terminally ill animals or senior animals may both receive hospice care. It's not a cure for animal age or illness, but it is managed care where the pet's symptoms and discomfort will be eased until they naturally pass.
There are many reasons why people might choose this path. From wanting to give yourself enough time to say your goodbyes to choosing to let your pet die naturally, these reasons are valid. Just make sure to speak with your veterinarian before making the call. They'll be able to help you make an informed decision about your pet.
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