Senior pooches are loving and grateful, but sadly, they are often overlooked by potential adopters. Ty is believed to be the oldest dog ever cared for by Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, but despite his age, hetouched the hearts of two special humans and found happiness again.
Discover our latest podcast
The oldest dog
Ty, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dalmatian Cross, arrived at Dogs Trust in Bridgend, England in August after a change in his family’s circumstances meant they could no longer keep him.
The team wanted to find him a home as soon as possible but it was challenging, taking into account his super senior age.
But then the most incredible thing happened.
At 22, Ty is the oldest dog that rescue charity Dogs Trust has ever taken in. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier/Dalmatian...
Posted by Animal Journal on Monday, August 22, 2022
Bruno de Brito and Lee Szopa from Penarth already had a six-year-old Chihuahua cross, Gizmo, and a beautiful 15-year-old Staffie Fizz, who they adopted ten years ago.
Lee has been concerned their senior fur-ball ‘was getting on in years'. But then his mum shared Ty’s profile on the Dogs Trust website, to reassure him that Fizz could have 'many, many more years to enjoy life'. Once the couple saw the old dog and learned his heartbreaking story, they knew they had to see him.
Bruno said:
As soon as we read about Ty we knew we wanted to go and see him and find out if we could give him the new home he deserved.
‘Love at first sight’
Just days later, Bruno and Lee headed to Dogs Trust in Bridgend to meet the team and their potential fur kid. Ty was introduced to Gizmo and Fizz, and it was clear they and their owners were the family the senior pup had been waiting for and the charity had been dreaming of for him.
Bruno remembers:
It was love at first sight, for all of us! Ty and Fizz are now inseparable, even sleeping by each other’s side. We all go out on walks together and Ty is like a puppy! We didn’t expect him to be as lively as he is, but he is full of life and it’s fantastic.
Though Ty was a little anxious at first, he is now happy. The couple says the pooch can be 'a stubborn old gent’ sometimes but they don’t mind doing things his way.
Posted by People's Pet Awards on Thursday, November 10, 2022
Bruno added:
He makes us laugh and we are so glad we could give him a home. He’s brilliant.
Melissa Cook, Assistant Manager at Dogs Trust Bridgend, commented:
Given Ty’s age, how we felt to see him head off with Bruno and Lee and his new doggie family is beyond words. Ty is a gorgeous dog, full of fun and full of love and we are so pleased he is back at the heart of a family who adores him.
Sources used:
- Swansea Bay News: 'Oldest ever rescue dog finds happy new home'
