Family Adopts Senior Shelter Dog, Gives Her the Best Final Months
When families look to adopt a dog, it’s often the playful puppies who steal the show. Their boundless energy and adorable faces make them highly sought after, leaving senior dogs frequently overlooked and vulnerable. The harsh reality is that many senior dogs face euthanasia when shelters become overcrowded.
Melissa Davis and her daughter Raven were determined to change that narrative. They walked into BARC’s animal shelter in Baltimore with a clear mission: to find and adopt a senior dog in need.
At the shelter, they met Kaylee, an 11-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier who had been surrendered after her previous owners could no longer afford her care. Despite Kaylee’s age and her health issues—including kidney disease, a torn ACL, and thyroid carcinoma—Melissa and Raven saw her worth and decided to give her the best final chapter she could hope for.
“No one wants an old dog. People think that puppies are more energetic. I don’t want them to die in a shelter,” Raven shared with the Baltimore Sun. With unwavering determination, the family took Kaylee home and made it their mission to ensure she felt loved and cherished in her remaining time.
They quickly set up a Facebook page to track Kaylee’s adventures and bucket list. Their efforts caught the attention of the PetCo Foundation’s Holiday Wishes Campaign, earning BARC a $10,000 grant. The family even sacrificed a planned trip to Disney to cover Kaylee’s medication and care.
“She likes wearing costumes and she talks a lot. She’s a really fun dog,” Raven said. Kaylee brought joy and laughter into their lives, continuing to chase squirrels and revel in life’s simple pleasures.
Sadly, after several months of love and joy, Kaylee passed away. But her final months were filled with happiness—she enjoyed singing to her friends, indulging in puppachinos, cheese buffets, and doggie cakes. Melissa created a touching video of Kaylee’s final adventures, which she shared with a heartfelt caption:
“I cried while making it, I cried while watching it. There’s a big hole in my heart without her here. If you would like to honor Kaylee’s life with a donation, we would love for you to visit the websites for Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland or BARCS Animal Shelter.”
Kaylee’s story resonated deeply with many, inspiring others to consider adopting senior dogs rather than puppies. The comment section of the video tribute is filled with stories of other families who have chosen to adopt older dogs.
You can watch the moving video tribute to Kaylee below.
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