Senior Hospice Dog Defies Odds

Quick Smiles:

• A senior dog diagnosed with end-stage heart disease surprises her owner with her lively antics.
• Despite her medical condition, the dog, adopted as a hospice pet, is full of energy and joy.
• The dog’s owner, Hope, shares her unexpected journey on TikTok, earning over 365,000 views.

https://www.tiktok.com/@icouldprobablydoit/video/7348160695092923690?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

When Hope (@icouldprobablydoit) decided to adopt a senior hospice dog, she prepared herself for a quiet, subdued experience. However, life had a delightful surprise in store for her.

The dog, despite being in the end-of-life stage of heart disease, turned out to be a whirlwind of energy and cheer.

In a TikTok video that has since gone viral, Hope shares her unexpected journey. The footage is a testament to the dog’s zest for life, showing her running around with the enthusiasm of a puppy.

“I kinda have a feeling girly pop over here is gunna stick around for a while,” reads the video’s caption.

The text layered over the video montage says, “POV – you adopt a stray ‘hospice’ senior dog and are told to focus on quality over quantity of life and to prepare yourself emotionally…”

This statement suggests that Hope had anticipated a frail, old dog. Instead, she found herself trying to keep up with a lively, energetic companion, even telling her at one point to “slow down.”

In the comments, Hope revealed that while the dog’s exact age is unknown, she suffers from Stage 5 heart disease. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), this condition occurs when the heart’s valves, which regulate blood flow, malfunction.

The AKC advises that a veterinary cardiologist can provide tailored advice for managing dogs with heart conditions. The objective is to reduce heart strain and slow the progression of the disease.

“In general, dogs that are diagnosed with congestive heart failure can live anywhere from 6 months to 1 1/2 to 2 years,” states the AKC’s website.

But heart disease isn’t the only challenge this little dog faces. Hope shared that her pet also has impaired hearing and vision, along with dental issues that led to the removal of 14 teeth.

Despite these health issues, the dog refuses to let anything dampen her spirits.

“She was so calm and chill for the first 4 months and now she’s just a straight-up menace,” Hope commented.

The video, posted on March 20, has since garnered 56,700 likes and a flood of comments from viewers who are astounded by the dog’s vitality.

“Ma’am this a fully functioning menace,” one user wrote.

“The old ‘senior hospice’ distribution system. She was just ready to get out of that place and live her best life with you!!” another user commented.

“Not a second wind, more of a second hurricane,” a third user chimed in.

While the details of the case couldn’t be independently verified, the story serves as a reminder of the joy and surprises that pets can bring into our lives, regardless of their age or health condition.

Source