r/seniordogs

‼️‼️🆘 Although rescue only, this dog can still go from a rescue to the right adopter! If you are interested in adopting this dog, DM OP or BanditY77 so that you can fill out an adoption form immediately! Please help! Available for adoption (in or out of state or Canada), rescue, or local foster‼️‼️🆘🆘

🆘 On the euthanasia list Wednesday, 5/20. There will be no extensions per BARC. 🆘

⏰ Rocky must have a RESCUE HOLD no later than 1PM or he will lose his life.🥺

RESCUE ONLY
💜🐶 #A2075408 Rocky
5/17 Stray | Staffie Mix | Male | 8Y | 63lbs | HW+high

💜 Volunteer Notes:
We were not able to meet Rocky.

🔷 Intake:
There is 1 abandoned dog roaming in area, owners left him and people in area are hurtin the dog.
white pitbull with red around his eyes

📝 Shelter Notes:

05/18/26 10:57 Lying down but picked head up when I passed his kennel, tail thumping and stood to greet me. Ate kibble readily. Loose leash out to runs and back. Calm and quiet in kennel, as soon as he was given towel he took a nap on it.

🚑 Medical Notes:
5/18/26
s/o: generalized alopecia, redness, skin thickening, and crusting. ss: demodex
a: severe generalized dermatitis secondary to demodex
p: cephalexin 750mg bid x 14 days
rescue only due to severity of dermatitis. rescue can administer oral f/t
prevention such as bravecto/nexgard/simparica for treatment of dem

Rescue Only:
🏷 This pet can only be tagged by a RESCUE group but please remember all rescues need FOSTERS in order to tag this pet and save their life. This pet cannot be fostered or adopted through the shelter, so please message the page if you can help!

💌 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 is Sailor, my 14+ year old Bichon Frise mix hospice dog. About 2 years ago, I agreed to foster him without fully understanding how medically complex his condition was. Once I realized how serious everything was, I decided to see him through the rest of his life and eventually adopted him.

Sailor suffered from dementia/cognitive decline, severe sundowning, separation anxiety, chronic kidney disease, severe dental disease, blindness, deafness, frequent seizures, a collapsed trachea, and severe mobility decline. One emergency vet also suspected there may have been an underlying neurological condition or brain cancer as well.

He required multiple medications daily just to remain somewhat comfortable, and he was so neurologically sensitive that even stress, excitement, or medication administration could sometimes trigger seizures. Despite everything, he still loved being outside in his stroller, and that was often the only time he seemed fully at peace.

Caring for him was emotionally and physically exhausting at times. I already had pets of my own, and as someone with autism, the constant pacing, crying, nighttime wakeups, and medical care became very overwhelming. Still, I loved him deeply and wanted to give him comfort and safety during the final stage of his life.

We invested heavily into his care with emergency vet visits, medications, dental surgery, and ongoing appointments. After his dental procedure, he actually improved for a while. He gained weight, had more energy, and seemed brighter.

Unfortunately, his decline eventually became more severe. He became increasingly confused, lost mobility, needed assistance standing and eating, and cried frequently despite all of our efforts to keep him comfortable.

He was humanely euthanized 2 years ago, and looking back, I honestly think waiting longer would have only prolonged his suffering. That experience taught me that sometimes the kindest thing we can do for animals is let them go peacefully before things become unbearable. I learned that it’s better a couple months too early than a couple months too late.

I just wanted to share Sailor’s story so people know he was here, he existed, and he mattered. I still feel sad that he was surrendered near the end of his life. I know I don’t know his previous owner’s circumstances and I try not to judge, but I hope he knew he was deeply loved and cared for until the very end.

Bella got her new ride yesterday. We went on a great 1.5 hour stroll.

Coby turning 15, bella is 13.5. Got the stroller life going

Juno was almost 15 and we lost her last week on Thursday. she’s been my best friend for almost half my life and i am absolutely broken. i thought i had it together today and was coping well and now i can’t sleep and can’t stop crying. i miss her so much and i don’t know what to do with myself. i can’t stop thinking about how ill never get to hold her big sweet head in my hands and scrunch her ears or have sleepy morning cuddles with her.

it was undeniably her time to go and i’m thankful she’s not suffering and i am so grateful to have had so many years of love but it’s just not enough. it hurts so much to miss her like this

i just feel so so lost.

🆘 6 year old Labrador Retriever mix girl on the euthanasia list Thursday, 5/21 🆘

🏡 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.

🩷🐶 Cooper #A2075491
5/18/2026 Stray | Labrador Retriever Mix | Female | 6Y | 57 lbs | HW Low Positive

💜 Volunteer Notes:
We were not able to meet Cooper. If you're interested in helping us meet the animals, please message us!

🔹 Intake:
Stray

📝 Shelter Notes:

5/18/2026: dont walk, dilated eyes and tuck tail

5/19/2026: Greeted laying down in kennel. Opened kennel door and leashed, but dog showed no reaction, and didn't want to move from kennel. Kennel was clean so I left in kennel.

5/20/2026: Greeted laying down in kennel. Opened kennel door and leashed, but dog showed no reaction, and didn't want to move from kennel. Kennel was clean so I left in kennel.

🚑 Medical Notes:

5/18/2026: Weighed 57.0 lbs. Heartworm test: Low Positive. Vaccinated with Rabies, DA2PP-V, and Bordetella. Dewormed with Pyrant. Given Advantage Multi Dog 55.1-88LB flea prevention.

ALL HOLDS MUST BE IN WRITING — PLEASE DO NOT CALL

💌 If Local and interested in Fostering or Adoption, email all below:
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

She has dementia. She can't stay still anymore. Whenever we are outside and trying to stay in one spot for only 5 seconds she starts spinning, walking in circles around us until we continue our walk.
But the beach is different. She's always loved the beach. As a young dog she just loved to run around. Now she slowly wades in the water, then lays down right at the edge of the waves in the cool sand. She likes the waves touching her, like they rock her to sleep.
We want to take a longer beach vacation but her dementia makes it hard to travel with her. She doesn't eat or drink at all when we are in a hotel room. We bring a syringe to feed her water.
Last weekend we drove 3,5h down to go to the beach, relaxed for 2-3 hours and then drove 3,5h all the way back the same day so she doesn't have to struggle staying in an unfamiliar place. She loved it so much and it was so worth it 🥺❤️

Feel free to redirect me to the propper sub but this seemed like the right place to post this. I'm house/dog sitting for a friend and this little Dachshund does this on repeat unless she's eating, sleeping or actively being pet. She sounds like an antsy/uncomfortable child constantly shifting around and grunting and then she's licking the ground infront of her in that little pattern. Is this her showing that her back itches or is in pain but can't reach it anymore because of her age? Until I started recording she was grunting more and I don't want to bother the owner during her vacation. She literally never takes a vacation because she's very anxious about leaving her dogs, as most of them are pretty old/have special needs and require extra help. Any info helps, thank you!

Tomorrow I might be bringing home a senior dog foster (8 years old, 8lbs mix breed), that just had a double Enucleation surgery. I have never fostered any animal that was newly completely blind. Any tips or tricks? That seems like a very scary and stressful time, and then adding on-top of that they will be in a new place with a new person. I want to make them as comfortable as possible. And I want to be prepared for anything that may come up!

Lucy, aka Goose or Wiggles, is 14year old and has been struggling with arthritis/ hip dysplasia in her back hips. I took a chance and asked her vet if we should try a pet chiropractor and they said it couldn’t hurt. So I took her to an equine and small animal chiropractor and it was a huge success. She can be quite the drama queen when she’s in pain and she actually enjoyed the treatment and is visibly getting around a bit easier, is not tucking her tail as much, or walking with her hips low. I never realized pet chiropractic was a thing but I’m so glad that I found it because there’s literally nothing else wrong with her. Just wanted to get the word out there if anyone else’s dogs are struggling with mobility to consider chiropractic, massage therapy, and even acupuncture if your dog is calm enough. It brings me so much joy to see her improve. Good luck out there everyone.

This is Cookie. He’s 16 years old, turning 17 in June. He has been on Vetmedin for his heart murmur for 3 years now. I’d say he’s about 80% blind and 60% deaf. He is my whole heart and I want to make sure he’s as comfortable as possible. I’m posting because we’ve been going through the ‘sundown’ symptoms between 12-4am and I’d love to know how others have supported their senior doggo through this stage of their life. For example, last night at 3am, I heard him tip his water bowl over and then started whining because he was stuck behind a door. It’s very sad to see but I’m trying my best to do what I can for him. It is progressing so I am seeing a Vet in the next few days to ask for any supplements or ideas of how I can make sure he’s comfortable. I just need some feedback or support or even advice on how everyone handled this situation - my partner and I have been on shifts getting up in the middle of the night when he starts crying.

🆘 8 year old Staffordshire mix girl on the euthanasia list Wednesday, 5/20 🆘

🏡 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.

🩷🐶 Petunia #A2074453
5/12/2026 Stray | Staffordshire Mix | Female | 8Y | 47 lbs | HW High Positive

💜 Volunteer Notes:
We were not able to meet Petunia. If you're interested in helping us meet the animals, please message us!

🎥 Videos in the comments

🔹 Intake:
5/12/2026: 1 white and 1 pit strays roaming the area.

📝 Shelter Notes:

5/16/2026: Approaching kennel to place new kennel card, she is non-stop high-pitched barking with extended mouth pant, and fast tail wag as AC is cleaning neighboring kennel as well as when we leave the front of her kennel. She paces from front to back as well as continues to be vocal and attempts to begin to scratch the guillotine. Tossed over treats but she remained doing the same thing.

5/17/2026: dog was in the kennel and as i leashed her she walked loose leash to the run and back to her kennel she did walked semi tight back once in her kennel she lay down. once i covered his kennel he began to be high pitch vocal.

5/18/2026: When I was close to her kennel, Petunia started to high pitch vocalize in front of her kennel gate non-stop until morning walks were done. She was walked on a tight leash due to pulling on the leash and paid little attention to other dogs as she passed them by. Later in the morning, I gave her extra enrichment to occupy her time for the rest of the morning.

5/19/2026: Petunia started to high pitch vocalize in front of her kennel gate non-stop until morning walks were done. I would offered some treats to calm her but she would continue afterwards. She was walked on a tight leash due to pulling on the leash and paid little attention to other dogs as she passed them by. While in the run, she started to whine and high pitch vocalize in her run when she saw me walking into the outside runs.

🚑 Medical Notes:

5/12/2026: Weighed 47.0 lbs. Intake condition minor. Scar around neck, per vet staff: possible previous embedded collar, no treatment needed.

5/12/2026: HWTEST HIGH POS. Vaccinated with Rabies, DA2PP-V, and Bordetella. Dewormed with Pyrantel and given Advantage Multi flea prevention.

💌 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

I held my 16 year old in my arms today after she passed. I made an irreversible decision this morning and I feel guilty, heartbroken and I want her back in my house. Just this morning I took outside. She sniffed, she even ran or walked fast a little bit. I’ve lost many dogs and cats in my life and for some reason this is the hardest one.