The Moment This Elderly Rescue Dog Looks Up At His Owner Will Bring You To Tears

Nov 17, 2018

Most cats and dogs of advanced age are sweet, mellow creatures who love nothing more than to relax with their owners as much as possible. They tend to be very affectionate and loving animals. If the find themselves in a shelter, though, life can get very tough very fast.

Prospective pet owners are often looking for a young pup, and they tend to overlook the senior citizens, leaving them languishing at a rescue.

In a push to encourage people to adopt seniors and special needs animals, PETA has teamed up with Yusuf Islam, who many people know by his former name, Cat Stevens. Islam released a song called “I Love My Dog” fifty years ago. The song celebrates the bond between man and dog. On the 50th anniversary of its release, Islam granted permission to PETA to use it in a video depicting the joys of adopting a senior animal.

The sweet video shows the ways a man’s life was improved by the choice to adopt a senior dog. From the moment their eyes meet, it’s obvious that man and dog share a touching connection.

After bringing his new friend home from the shelter, the dog goes exploring. Despite his age, his nose still works, and it leads him to explore all of the fun things his new owner has in the garbage. When the man discovers the mess, instead of being upset, he has a laugh with his dog and cleans up the trash.

Man and dog go on to bond with each other in all the ways that humans and dogs do: they go on walks together, nap and cuddle together, and the old dog even learn some new tricks. As they bond, Islam’s song plays in the background, including the touching line, “I love my dog as much as I love you. But you may fade, my dog will always come through.”

One day, a normal walk turns into a life changing one. The dog sits and looks at the man, and it’s clear that something isn’t quite right. They go off to the vet, where they must say a final goodbye.

As the man reflects on his loss, he knows that the time they had together was precious. He reviews a flyer for a pet adoption event, and goes off to find a new friend to rescue.

You, too can help make an animal’s final years as satisfying as the rest of their lives have been. Go see who might be waiting for you in the shelter, and pass this along so that others will go too.