Magical fresh start for senior dog

Whether you call it magic, kismet, or serendipity, pets have a way of coming into our lives at just the right time. Case in point: Jaime and Dublin.

At 10 years old and 100 pounds, Dublin isn’t exactly as small or sprightly as a leprechaun. He also lives with degenerative myelopathy (DM), a canine genetic disorder that affects the spinal cord. (DM is often seen in German shepherds like Dublin.) While the disease doesn’t cause him any pain, it does weaken his back legs over time, creating mobility challenges.

[Senior dog regains pep in her step]

Dublin originally came to the Best Friends Pet Adoption Center in Los Angeles from a city shelter. While staff loved spending time with this gentle giant, they knew a foster home was the best place for him until he was adopted. Best Friends’ goal is for all shelters nationwide to reach no-kill in 2025, and people who step up to foster pets, either with Best Friends or any animal shelter or rescue organization, play a vital part in reaching that goal.

Dublin’s foster home ended up being his four-leaf clover.

Jaime Gallardo had recently said goodbye to his dog of 17 years. Missing that companionship, he signed up to foster and was matched with Dublin. From the moment Dublin stepped paw into Jaime’s home, it was clear something magical was happening. Jaime soon realized that Dublin wasn’t a temporary houseguest — he was family. Jaime officially adopted him, and Dublin was home for good.

[Faces of No-Kill: Senior dog is lucky in love]

Today, Dublin’s life is filled with his favorite things: food and naps. However, he’s not always a fluffy couch potato. He also enjoys chasing and toting his many toys around the house. Dublin loves being petted and brushed, gazing up at Jaime with pure adoration. He continues to take medication and supplements to treat his condition — and he has Jaime by his side supporting him every step of the way.

No doubt Dublin is living a charmed life. But Jaime would say he’s the lucky one.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.