Senior Dog Enjoys Wagon Rides on Walks

Quick Smiles:

• A dog owner from Florida has found a delightful way to include her senior golden retriever, Raffi, in daily walks.
• She shared a video on TikTok showing Raffi comfortably seated in a wagon, accompanying her and her younger Australian shepherd on their walk.
• The video has touched the hearts of many, garnering over 1.5 million views and 230,000 likes on TikTok.

As dogs age, their energy levels may decrease, but that doesn’t mean they should be excluded from the family’s daily activities. A dog owner from Florida has captured the attention of social media users with her unique method of ensuring her elderly dog still gets to enjoy their daily walks.

The video, shared on TikTok by user makenziecann, shows her senior golden retriever, Raffi, being placed in a wagon, complete with his leash and favorite blanket. Raffi then gets to enjoy a ride while the owner’s younger Australian shepherd gets his daily exercise.

@makenziecann

the most precious time. 🥹 #seniordog

♬ New Home – Frozen Silence

The video is accompanied by a caption that reads: “Making sure my senior dog feels included on our walk.” She added: “The most precious time.”

The owner told Newsweek, “I’ve had my 13-year-old golden retriever, Rafael, since I was 15. I am now 28. His mom was my childhood golden retriever, and I got to keep the first one from the litter. I named him after my favorite college football player growing up, Rafael Little, who wore the jersey #22 for the University of Kentucky.”

She continued, “When I was 19, I made that dream a reality, and Raffi came with me to the University of Kentucky, where I would be wearing the number #22. After 3 years, I graduated with honors, as I was awarded the SEC All Community Service Award for our hours volunteering at an after-school program together. He was the hit of the entire program, as always.”

Raffi has been a constant companion in her life, accompanying her to prom, through two college degrees, and even when she moved 1,000 miles away from their hometown.

She shared, “His personality is infectious. He is 13 now and life looks a little different, but if I am able to give him half the love and support he’s given me growing up in his senior years, I count that as a win. Being able to share our story online has given me the chance to cherish every minute of his life, meet new people, and make someone’s day better.”

She added, “There’s a lot going on in this world. I think people see Rafael and are reminded joy is right around the corner. It’s not a surprise Rafael is continuing to make a difference till the very end.”

Being a senior dog comes with its own set of challenges, including changes in lifestyle and diet. It’s crucial to understand what stage of life your dog is in.

The Healthy Pet Club, a pet insurance provider, suggests several factors to consider when classifying your dog as a senior, including size, breed, and lifestyle.

The website states, “As a quick rule of thumb, we can consider dogs ‘senior’ at the following ages: 5-8 years of age for very large/giant dogs. 7-10 years of age for medium-sized dogs. 9-12 years of age for small dogs.”

The video has resonated with many viewers, quickly going viral on TikTok. It has so far received over 1.5 million views and 230,000 likes on the platform.

One user, Mariah, commented, “Not me crying because I have a senior dog and it’s getting harder for her to go on walks.” Another user, APV, said, “This is true love. The deepest form of it.”

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