Last updated: 22 Jul, 2019
Published on: 5 Jul, 2017
Sad and skinny, to loved and springy
Sweet little senior, Sandrino, went from sad and skinny to loved and springy, thanks to his adopter, Federica.
Federica wasn’t looking to adopt, but that didn’t stop little Sandrino from stealing her heart after she spotted his photo online.
“Honestly, I was not looking - he found us,” Federica said. “I could not get his sad little face out of my head.”
Federica went to Save-A-Dog Scheme to meet the pint-sized pooch, and decided to foster him.
“I try hard to forget that moment when I first saw him. He was so little, so frail and sad. What I like to think of is when they put him in my husband's arms. I just knew he would not be scared anymore, he would be loved and his life would be as it was meant to be,” says Federica.
But she soon fell in love with the sweet little senior with the snowy white coat, and ‘foster’ turned into ‘forever’.
“After two weeks of fostering we gave up the act and signed the adoption papers. He was meant to be ours. I thought, if not me, who will? The rest is history. ”
It took Sandrino a little time to settle into his new home, but patience and kindness paid off. It wasn’t long before the shy senior blossomed into a happy and loving companion.
“We adjusted to him, as he did to us. My other rescue dog, Rosie, did a lot of the hard work for us. Rosie has always been such a happy dog, so she showed him around and he started copying her,” says Federica.
Sandrino was 13 years old when Federica added him to her existing rescue clan of one dog and one cat. And now, two years on, the love and joy just keeps coming.
“We managed to turn him around, and much more than we expected to. Our vet thought he had a few months in him. And now, almost two years later, he is stronger than ever and bounces around like a puppy.
“Every morning he wakes up full of energy. He is older, but somehow much younger than when we first adopted him. He runs, jumps and bolts to his daddy every time we arrive home. And he eats like a horse.
“He is so happy, he melts my heart, and makes us all a little more happy. We have more love to share in our household. He is part of our family and we could not be without him.
“I feel so privileged to have been able to give him all this. He was meant to have an amazing happy life and to feel young again. And we always say we haven't done that much, just gave him love, a family, good food and some good pills for arthritis. That's all they need. Senior rescues make the best pets!”
Are you ready to adopt a senior dog? Here’s how to start your search.
Click this link to view the list of senior dogs currently available for adoption on PetRescue. Select your state. Enter your postcode. Select your gender and size preferences and use the filters to enter basic info about your home. Best of luck finding an older new best friend.