It’s always sad when older dogs end up in shelters. Senior dogs, especially ones with medical needs, are often passed over in favor of younger puppies.

When one senior dog had to search for a new home after the death of his owner, the odds seemed against him — but when one woman met him she knew it was meant to be.

In November, Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida shared the “heartbreaking story” of a 13-year-old golden retriever named Mickey, who was now homeless after his owner died after a long illness.

They put out an urgent call for a foster or adopter for the senior golden. “Mickey is partially blind and deaf, but very sweet,” they wrote.

The rescue wrote that Mickey also had a large, benign mass that had to be removed, and had skin and eye infections. Despite his advanced age and medical needs, a vet thankfully recommended he be rescued instead of put down.

Soon, the rescue found a foster for Mickey: a woman named Marianne.

Marianne had recently suffered the loss of her two dogs, Sophie and Scout. “Not wanting to go through the grief again so soon,” she wasn’t particularly interested in adopting a senior, and was on a waitlist to adopt a young dog or puppy.

But when she heard Mickey’s story, she decided to take him in as a temporary foster, never planning to adopt him for good.

Mickey settled in well to his new foster home: “He loved his new mom and home, comfy dog beds and lots of good food,” GRRSWF wrote. “His skin and eyes healed and he wooed his new family by being the bestest, sweetest boy. He takes trips to the cabin in Georgia, enjoys his walks and shows his gratitude daily.”

Though it wasn’t what she planned for, Marianne was so won over by sweet Mickey that she decided to adopt him for good!

In addition to Mickey, she also adopted the puppy she was on the waitlist for. “Mickey has a new sister to teach and keep him young.”

Senior dogs deserve so much love, and we’re so glad Marianne adopted sweet old Mickey!

Please share this heartwarming story!