My sweet little Australian Terrier is 15 and in May he was diagnosed with a primary lung tumor after spending a weekend coughing. He still wanted cuddles, walks, and food. He was still himself, but with a cough. The vet said he had months, maybe a year. So we decided to start hospice care so he wouldn’t get so stressed with frequent vet visits.

On top of the lung tumor, it was discovered in an x-ray that he has an enlarged heart. A double whammy in his little chest.

We’ve had him on medication to keep him comfortable although getting him to take his medication has been insanely difficult. But he still wanted food and belly rubs and would trot around excitedly for treats.

Recently though something changed. He doesn’t bark when I come home like he used to. The cough is more frequent. Our younger dog will stare at him with a worried expression. He still wants food. Still wants to go for walks. But last night he coughed so much he started wheezing and this morning my husband said, “I think it’s almost time.”

So where I need guidance:

1. how will I know it’s time? I’ve had cata before but this little guy is my first dog. How will I know?

2. what’s the best thing for us to do for our younger dog? He’s a 5 year old corgi and our terrier is his best friend in the universe.

TIA.

After 8 YEARS with her family, 8-year-old Lucy is now sitting in a kennel at Downey ACC.

Lucy was surrendered on 7/6/26 following a scuffle with a small dog in the home. Lucy now has a No small Dogs requirement.

But there is so much more to Lucy than that one piece of her history.

She lived with children ages 11–13 and was playful. She rides well in the car. She walks politely on leash. She knows sit and paw. Her favorite thing to play with? A BALL. 🎾

And shelter staff saw another side of her, too.

During her assessment, Lucy was nervous and somewhat concerned with handling—but once it was over, her entire posture softened. She sought engagement with the handler and even offered play bows.

And on 8/11, Lucy participated in playgroup. She was described as social and non-reactive, exchanged appropriate greetings with other dogs, played with them, and solicited affection from the handlers.

She is large-dog friendly, but needs a home without small dogs. Adults only or older children are recommended. Slow introductions and confidence-building would help her settle in and feel secure.

Lucy is 8 years old.

She spent eight years belonging to someone.

Now she’s waiting behind a kennel door, hoping someone will believe that her story isn’t over.

Please don’t let one incident become the only thing anyone sees when they look at Lucy.

Lucy #A5787598. 8yr-old spayed German Shepherd / Husky mix 56 lbs
No small dogs
Large dogs okay
Adults/older children recommended

Can you foster or responsibly adopt Luna?
➡️📧 Message @californiashelterpets or email: Isabeldesiree8@gmail.com
Or text: (657) 424-7580 asap

Rescues:
DACCDowneyRescue@animalcare.lacounty.gov

📍Downey ACC
11258 Garfield Ave,Downey,CA 90242

Today I met the little soul who might become Mimi’s new best friend. ❤️🐾
For those who don’t know our story:

A little over two months ago, I had to say goodbye to my Sophie after almost 16 years together.

Calling her my dog never really felt like enough. She was my best friend, my family, my safe place — somehow my dad, my mom, my little baby and my companion all in one tiny body. She was simply one of those once-in-a-lifetime souls.

During Covid, we decided Sophie should have a little friend.
That’s how Mimi came into our lives.
She was rescued in Hungary by Állat és Ember (www.allatesember.hu), and from the moment she arrived, Sophie showed her how to trust, how to feel safe and basically how to be a dog.

For 5½ years, they were best friends.
When Sophie died, Mimi didn’t just lose another dog. She lost her compass.

Watching her grieve made us realize that maybe there was room in our family for another little rescue — not to replace Sophie, because nobody ever could — but to give Mimi a new companion for the next chapter.

And today… I met him for the first time. 🥹
I’m currently in Budapest, and I visited the same rescue organization that once brought Mimi into our lives.

And there he was.

Tiny. Adorable. Curious.

And I think he actually liked me. ❤️

It felt strange and beautiful at the same time.

Sophie is still missing from every part of this story, but somehow this also feels like life gently moving forward around the love she left behind.

Tomorrow is round two.

This time, Mimi gets to meet him.

And my daughter will come with me too.

So tomorrow, the most important member of the selection committee gets her vote. 😂🐾

Let’s see what Mimi thinks of her potential new little brother. ❤️

🏡 AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION, FOSTER, OR RESCUE

🚗 OUT OF STATE OR CANADIAN ADOPTION IS POSSIBLE - cost is typically around $600 USD (give or take). The fee includes transport, boarding, full medical, spay/neuter, and a health certificate.

We are a volunteer network dedicated to helping at-risk dogs. We are not affiliated with BARC. We connect at-risk animals at the BARC shelter with the adopters, fosters, and rescue organizations needed to save their lives. We can help coordinate out-of-state adoption through approved 501c3 rescues. Please send the OP a Chat invite or send moderator mail to r/findfostersfordogs (it's under the see-more tab for the group) for information and a link to an application form. BARC Houston cannot facilitate out-of-state adoption or foster.

🆘 8 year old Akita Mix girl on the euthanasia list Wednesday, 8/19. There will be NO extensions per BARC 🆘

⏰ Jasper must have a HOLD no later than 1PM or she will lose her life. 🥺

🩷🐶 Jasper #A2088562
8/5/2026 Euthanasia Request | Akita Mix | Spayed Female | 8Y | 102.0 lbs

💜 Volunteer Notes:
Jasper has been observed greeting people at the front of her kennel with a neutral or relaxed body, a wagging tail, and a soft, open mouth. She walks on a loose to semi-loose leash and has remained patient while being leashed around her cone. Despite her recent surgery, she has shown a relaxed demeanor and good leash behavior.

🎥 Bio https://youtube.com/shorts/wjpJkxvH6OI?is=s8ZkUSW6QsEVJ78Y

🔹 Intake:
Euthanasia Request

📝 Shelter Notes:

8/7/2026: Tail out and wagging, soft open mouth at front of kennel. Loose leash out to runs and back.

8/8/2026: Greeted me at the front of the kennel with a neutral body. She walked on a loose leash to and from the runs.

8/11/2026: Jasper was laying down with a relaxed body when approached. She stood up as the kennel door was opened. She leashed well and walked on a loose leash slowly to the runs due to her injury. She did her business and then waited at the run door for her turn to come in. After coming in she curled up on her blankets with a relaxed body.

8/17/2026: Standing with wagging tail at front of kennel looking up at me with open mouth and tongue out. Patiently stood as the leash was worked around her cone. Semi-loose leash slightly ahead with tail curled over back and wagging out to runs and back.

🚑 Medical Notes:

8/5/2026: Weighed 102.0 lbs. Vaccinated with DA2PP-V, Bordetella, and Rabies, dewormed, and given flea prevention. Heartworm test: Negative.

8/11/2026: Apparently spayed. Jasper underwent dermal mass removal from her right hind limb with a 3-layer closure. Vet noted 4 cruciate ligatures and moderate tartar and wear. Prescribed Cephalexin for 10 days and Rimadyl for 5 days.

8/12/2026: Senior ACT asked if Jasper could be moved to adoptions since she was taken off hold. Vet advised that Jasper's condition was stable and she could move to adoptions.

💌 ALL HOLDS MUST BE IN WRITING - PLEASE DO NOT CALL
barcfoster@houstontx.gov
barcadoptions@houstontx.gov
BARC.Aid@houstontx.gov
Please use the animal's seven digit ID number when contacting the shelter.

📍 BARC Animal Shelter
3200 Carr St, Houston, TX 77026
www.houstontx.gov

This girl needs help. Reach out if you can help her

Yesterday we said our final goodbyes. I haven't stopped crying since. I actually had a panic attack as soon as the vet did it.

I don't know how to go on. He's been by my side for my entire adult life, 17 years. The amount of grief and guilt is unreal. I know it was his time, but I still make myself feel horrible thinking if there was anything else I could've done to keep him here for a little bit longer.

I know, I know it was his time. He had congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. He was having these scary syncope episodes that sometimes left me thinking he was gonna die from one of them. We saw a specialist and the meds they gave him made his heart better but made him so, so sick in other ways. We took the best care of him we could at home, and he finally got a bit better during his last two days. This made me think maybe I should postpone the appointment, maybe get a few more weeks with him. But in my heart of hearts I knew I didn't want him to suffer any more. I didn't want the syncope episodes to come back, and he was still having seizures. He could barely walk on his own, and he couldn't go to the bathroom without help anymore. He still showed interest in food, but we had to force him to drink water. He was just exhausted.

I truly hope I did the right thing. Watching him pass was so traumatizing. He was my soul dog. My constant companion of almost two decades. I know I should feel lucky that he even lived that long, that he got to grow old. But right now all I can feel is dread, and pain, and loneliness. I want my puppy back so bad.

I wish there was an undo button, I wish I could turn back time, have another 17 years with him. I'm not coping well at all.

I just don't know how I'm gonna get through this. Waking up and seeing his empty bed is torture.

I hope he knew just how much he was loved, by everyone around him. By me. He was a piece of my identity. I don't know who I am without him.

Why does this hurt so much?

His name is Shiloh.

Edit: Thank you everyone so much for all of your comments and kind words. I've been mostly crying so it's been difficult to see the screen but I've read all of them twice over and I am immensely grateful for all of the kindness. Just surviving one moment at a time now...

Please keep us in your prayers while we try to gather funds for his healthcare and nurse him back to health 🩵

⬇️The Story ⬇️

My little dog was attacked by another dog at ElderPark today at around 12:45pm.
My dog is a 6lb Shih Tzu and was being walked responsibly on a lead. The dog shown in the picture/ video was off lead and, as I have unfortunately seen happen multiple times before, ran up to my dog and attacked him.
My little boy is now in critical condition at the emergency vet, and the bill is already over £3,000.
Please, please be careful if you are walking your dog in this area. My dog is extremely tiny, and I never imagined something like this could happen to him. I have cared for him for 11 years and have always been a responsible dog owner.
Being 7 months pregnant made the whole experience even more overwhelming.
Given what happened today, I would not want another family to experience the shock and heartbreak we are going through.

Please share this so other dog owners and families in the area are aware.

My good girl, only friend, and service dog (retired for a couple years now)....well....she is at that time.

She is about 16.

I have a life limiting (both limitation but also lifespan)medical disability. I do not wish her to suffer as I do.

She's saved my life, helped raise my son (he's 11 now), and been the best dog, confidant, family member.

I hate being disabled. I hate that, for me....even the $175 cost for just euthanasia (no ashes. No keepsake) is gonna max out the credit card I have because I don't have money left this month.

I fing had money saved for this. Air quality tanking and illness meant running AC ate that up.

It makes me feel even worse that THIS is the part that is stopping me for just going to our regular vet and making an appointment.

I already feel like a terrible person.

Anyhow. I want to remember her. I want someone to know, maybe care....that she existed. That she was such a very very good girl.

That, I don't mind walking slower, holding her back end so she could do the stairs, kinda yell talking cause she's going deaf. She would do that for me. But her body is old. Things fail like that. And ....she deserves dignity and freedom from suffering.

Cocoa is a family member. A friend. Very very very loved, and will be missed. I will put her gotcha day, middle and now pics.

Godspeed my loyal friend. Grandpa is waiting for you when you close your eyes the final time to escort you to heaven.

I made a post last week. Here’s the update. I’m so happy I got to spend one more week with her hoping for a miracle but unfortunately she did not get better but worse so after saying our good byes. We put her down last night.

It was the most peaceful moment since this whole ordeal.
I whistled for the last time for her to hear me and smell me. And she gave me one last kiss.

We love her so much. 17 great years. So smart. So sassy.
Here are some pics through the years.

We love you MoMo. 4ever

Thank you so much for that kiss. I knew right there. She knew too. 😢

Had to watcher her go last night. Blanche 2010-2026

How do you get through the first day?

The first week?

The first month?

It hurts so much. It physically hurts.

She’s been with me through the best and worst times. She provides endless stinky kisses and fills the room with the smell of cheese, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

SOURCE

🤍🐾📍 Houston, TX | Foster or Adopt | Out-of-State Adoption Available

At 8 years old, FRED is asking for something so simple: a quiet place to rest.

Outside of his kennel, Fred is a calm, sweet senior boy. But inside the shelter, surrounded by constant barking and chaos, he is overwhelmed. He needs out of the noise and into a peaceful home where he can decompress, get some real sleep, and finally relax.

🤍 FRED has so much going for him:
🐾 Dog friendly
🐾 Currently kenneled with a younger male dog
🤍 Calm outside of his kennel
⚖️ 50 lbs — a great medium size
✂️ Already neutered and ready to leave!
🎂 8 years old
🐶 White Pit Bull mix
📍 Kennel 1B03
💔 Heartworm positive — TREATABLE! Low-cost treatment options are available locally.

🔗 FRED A659706:
https://24Petconnect.com/DetailsMain/HRRS/A659706

🐕 Kennel mate — Male A660183:
https://24Petconnect.com/DetailsMain/HRRS/A660183

Fred has been at the shelter since 7/27, which means he is now entering the timeframe where his life is at risk due to length of stay and space. He does NOT deserve for his story to end here.

🏡 LOCAL? GO MEET FRED TODAY!
CAN’T GET THERE TODAY OR WANT TO FOSTER/ADOPT?

Send ONE email to all 3 addresses with your name, phone number, and “FRED A659706”:

UrgentPetsTx@gmail.com
rescueme@countypets.com
foster@countypets.com

✨ OUT-OF-STATE ADOPTION IS POSSIBLE! ✨

You do NOT have to live in Texas to save Scout. Serious OOS adopters can complete the application below so volunteers can work on connecting you with rescue support and transportation:

https://form.jotform.com/232828427259162

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Harris County Pets no longer publishes traditional euthanasia lists. Dogs who have been at the shelter 15+ days may be at risk of euthanasia for space on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.

🙏 Please SHARE, COMMENT, TAG potential fosters/adopters & PLEDGE for Fred. Even if you cannot take him yourself, helping him reach the right person could save his life.

This post is shared by volunteer networkers advocating for shelter animals. We are not the shelter and do not make euthanasia decisions.

Kiwi is the one I’m most deeply bonded with among my pack of six. Somehow, she just shares the same energy and rhythm as me. She has studied my movements, my tone, even my expressions so closely that she often knows what I’m about to do before I do it.

But don’t let that innocent, almost puppy-like face fool you. She’s 10 now, and in just a few months, she’ll be 11.

I think that’s the part I’ve been struggling to accept.

The tiny puppy I brought home 10 years ago isn’t a puppy anymore. She has been quietly growing older while I was busy thinking of her as the same little girl who would always be there.

Her timeline is so much shorter than mine, and somehow, I forgot what that meant.

One day, she will leave me.

Writing that alone makes my chest feel heavy. I know it’s something I have to prepare myself for, even though I don’t think anyone can ever truly be prepared for losing someone they love.

She has lost most of her teeth , so her little tongue now rests outside her mouth, giving her that funny, helpless expression that somehow makes me want to hold her even tighter.

She has asthma and arthritis. Fortunately, having a pillow seems to help her sleep more comfortably and cough less at night. For her arthritis, I’ve been trying to give her more time in the sun and supplements, hoping I can make her old body a little more comfortable.

Recently, she has started bumping into furniture. Her eyesight is fading, and most of the time, she seems almost completely blind. She doesn’t look directly at me the way she used to. Sometimes she simply turns her face away.

Her eyesight is probably the hardest thing for me to watch because I feel so helpless. I don’t know what I can do to make it better, and I hate that I can’t simply explain to her what is happening or ask her how she feels.

She still behaves normally. She still eats very well. She still seems like herself. :) But sometimes I wonder if she is hiding pain from me, or if she feels confused or frightened by losing her sight. If you could share your experience of your dogs going through similar eye issues, I’d love to hear ❤️

I wish I could understand what goes on inside her little head.

I wish she could tell me what she sees, what she feels, and whether she is scared.

There are so many little signs that she is getting older.

And yet, right now, she is sleeping beside me, snoring softly and peacefully.

I look at her and feel this strange mixture of love, gratitude, sadness, and fear. I wish I could keep her exactly like this forever.

But maybe I can’t stop time. Maybe all I can do is notice her more. Sit beside her a little longer. Be patient when she moves slowly. Help her when she gets lost. And appreciate every ordinary moment that I once took for granted.

Because she may not know how old she is.

She may not understand that her body is changing.

Thanks: @WOW_ANIMALS

🏡 AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION, FOSTER, OR RESCUE

🚗 OUT OF STATE OR CANADIAN ADOPTION IS POSSIBLE - cost is typically around $600 USD (give or take). The fee includes transport, boarding, full medical, spay/neuter, and a health certificate.

We are a volunteer network dedicated to helping at-risk dogs. We are not affiliated with BARC. We connect at-risk animals at the BARC shelter with the adopters, fosters, and rescue organizations needed to save their lives. We can help coordinate out-of-state adoption through approved 501c3 rescues. Please message the OP for information and a link to an application form. BARC Houston cannot facilitate out-of-state adoption or foster.

🆘️ On Euthanasia list at BARC, Houston for Monday, 8/17/26. Deadline at 1pm 🆘️

ID #A2089658

🐾 Meet 9 year old senior Brock

ID #A2089658

Age: 9 years | DOB: 8/14/2017

Sex: Male

Breed: German Shepherd

Color: Brown

Weight: 67 lbs

Intake Date: August 4, 2026

🩺 MEDICAL NOTES:

Brock tested LOW POSITIVE for heartworms.

He has uclear sclerosis of the eyes and dental wear. He has been vaccinated, dewormed and given preventative.

Behavior Notes:

Brock is a sweet senior gentleman who was described as "very relaxed" during intake.

He greets staff with a gently wagging tail and soft face, takes treats gently from their hands and is friendly and calm when being leashed. He walks nicely on a loose leash and pays little attention to other dogs as he passes.

Brock has also been seen quietly relaxing on his blanket and keeps his kennel clean.

ALL HOLDS MUST BE IN WRITING - PLEASE DO NOT CALL

📧 barcfoster@houstontx.gov

📧 barcadoptions@houstontx.gov

📧 BARC.Aid@houstontx.gov

Please use ID #A2089658 when contacting the shelter.

🏡 BARC Foster Application:

https://www.houstontx.gov/barc/foster_a_pet.html

📍 BARC Animal Shelter

3200 Carr St, Houston, TX 77026

www.houstontx.gov

🙏 Brock just turned 9 years old, and a senior dog shouldn't be spending his days waiting behind a kennel door. He is a gentle boy who still has love and companionship to give.

Please give Brock the soft landing every senior deserves. Foster, adopt, rescue or share Brock before it's too late.

My Molly girl is sick. She has a nasal sarcoma that has grown to include the area all around her left eye. She’s so tired and I can tell she’s exhausted and in pain and it’s time. I just booked the appointment for Friday afternoon.

With my last dog, everything happened so quickly I didn’t have time to think.

I want to give Molly the best send off I can possibly give her.

What are some things I should do with and for her between now and Friday? I texted her groomer so we can go say goodbye to her. She is who brought Molly into my life 3 years ago so she deserves to say goodbye. I’m going to cook her a steak tonight and take her on a long car ride. I would love any other ideas. I just want her to have a good week.

My beautiful 14yo girl has been rapidly declining over the last 6 months. She developed kidney disease and likely canine cognitive dysfunction. Due to her kidney disease, she urinates very frequently, and 90% of them are accidents. She hates the kidney diet; I have to mix in various things and offer her food 4-5 times a day since she'll only take a few bites at a time. She has also had a dramatic personality change, which has been really tough for me. I feel like she no longer loves me. She used to be incredibly affectionate, always demanded more petting, and would always come to me whenever called. Now she never seems happy to see me, seems uncomfortable when I try to pet or cuddle with her, and she will never come to me when I call. I also wonder if she has pain somewhere. She is slow to lay down and makes a groaning noise as she does so, but the vet said she seemed fine on exam. On the flip side, she still loves her walks. When I say the magic word, she gets super excited, and it made me feel like she was still enjoying at least this part of life. At 14yo, she surprisingly has excellent mobility. She has a cute trot-like walk, and everyone that sees her is surprised that she is 14. Video is from our walk last week. Unfortunately walks are the only time she seems somewhat happy.

Because she "looks" good, I felt like it wasn't her time to go yet. Until last night. I heard some noise upstairs, so I quickly ran up to find her laying on the ground on her side, frantically paddling her arms. My first thought was that she might have fallen while going up the doggie stairs to the bed and got injured. I picked her up to try to console her, but her paddling motion got faster. I put her down on the bed and the paddling soon stopped, but her entire body was tense, she looked like she had seen a ghost, and there was a little bloody foam coming from her mouth. I was terrified and was about to get ready to go to the ER when she seemed to calm down....but she was a little TOO calm. She was laying in a normal position but staring blankly ahead like she was in a daze while drooling profusely. I watched her for a few more min and she snapped out of the daze but kept drooling for another 15-20 min. Then she was back to normal and seemed like she wanted to take a nap. It then dawned on me that she just had her first seizure.

This was so hard for me to watch. I felt so helpless that I couldn't console her (before I knew what was happening). When I saw the bloody foam, I thought she was about to die. I felt a huge sense of guilt like "noooo, not like this...I didn't get to give her a proper send off." I think this was the sign I needed. It would absolutely crush me if I have to watch her have another seizure or some other big medical emergency. I would be eternally regretful if I couldn't give her a final send-off with her favorite foods.

Now I'm just struggling with getting myself ready. Timing wise, I feel like I should do it within the next few weeks, but it's so hard to just pick a date. I also just feel like I'm emotionally not ready to say goodbye, even though logically I know it's the right thing to do. Would appreciate any support or advice on how to get ready to say goodbye.