Faces of No-Kill: Senior dog gets her spark back

Alice and James are two peas in a pod. James is a man who has always been drawn to senior dogs. At 14 years old, Alice is a pup who certainly fits the profile. But that’s not all these two have in common — their lifestyles just seem to mesh. They both enjoy short walks around the neighborhood and TV-watching sessions on the couch, Alice perched on James’ chest.

And after all she’s been through, Alice is more than happy to settle into the good life.

When Alice first came to the Best Friends Pet Adoption Center in Los Angeles from a city shelter, the best way to describe her was “shut down.” She was thin with vacant eyes, and she didn’t want to move around much. But underneath Alice’s despondent demeanor, Best Friends staff could just tell she was a sweetheart.

Faces of No-Kill: Storybook ending for a senior dog

The only time she showed a glimmer of happiness was when she could cuddle up to someone. She loved being close to people. Staff members would even carry 8-pound Alice around the pet adoption center in a baby sling.

Still, it felt like she was just existing rather than living. So they set out to find her a foster home, where she could spend her days in comfort with plenty of one-on-one attention. It proved to be exactly the kind of medicine Alice needed.

Time in a foster home has a tendency to work magic for pets who have lost their homes and end up in shelters. Living in a home environment with a consistent person can give them a second wind. That’s what happened for Alice in spades.

The dog who once barely wanted to walk began pitter-pattering around the house and following her foster caregiver from room to room. This sweet senior even had occasional bursts of playfulness. Best of all, there was light in her eyes again.

Helping old dogs get new homes

Alice also discovered some of life’s pleasures, especially treats like peanut butter, yogurt, and applesauce (basically anything that doesn’t require teeth because Alice only has a few left). Still, cuddling remained her favorite pastime. She was most content curled up beside someone on the couch, tucked into bed, or burrowed in a pile of blankets.

Before long, Alice wasn’t just more comfortable; she was actually living and enjoying life.

After three months in her foster home, Alice met James, who has adopted many senior dogs over the years. The two proved to be an ideal match.

Today, Alice takes leisurely walks around the block — getting carried when her little legs need a break — and spends plenty of time curled up with James. It’s night and day from the shut-down dog who first came to Best Friends. You can see it in her bright eyes and toothless smile.

“She’s my angel,” James says.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. 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.