Heartbreaking footage of an animal shelter’s longest-term dog resident reacting with excitement to a visit from a member of staff has been shared online.
Grandma the 9-year-old boxer/pit mix was given her distinctive name by staff on account of her being “an older gal.” She first arrived at Junction City Shelter in Kansas on November 5, 2023, having been abandoned by her previous owner.
Vanessa Gray, the director of Junction City Animal Shelter, told Newsweek: “Grandma came into us as a stray, but later we found her owner who could just not have her.”
In time, staff grew attached to Grandma, learning her likes and dislikes.
TikTok/jcanimalshelter
“Some of Grandma’s favorite things are to snuggle in her blanket [and walking] around the yard with some company to sun herself,” Gray said. “She loves to play with toys and play fetch.”
However, over a year on from her arrival, the sad truth is that despite her many winning attributes, Grandma is struggling to drum up much interest from visitors looking to adopt.
Sadly, there are dogs like Grandma in shelters all across the U.S. The reality of the situation was laid bare in a 2021 study from the journal Animals that saw researchers attempt to identify the characteristics of long-term shelter dogs.
The same attributes came up time and time again: long-term dog residents were usually older, male, of large size, neutered and considered a so-called “dangerous breed.”
Gray acknowledges Grandma’s background might well be a factor in her adoption struggles.
“She has had very few visitors wanting to look at her,” she said. “I think the odds are against her for age, size, breed and that she cannot be with other animals as best practice. She does love interaction with people though.”
Proof of that love can be found in the footage Junction City Animal Shelter shared to TikTok showing Grandma reacting to a visit from a member of staff.
She’s excited, affectionate and eager to play. It’s exactly the kind of reaction you would hope for from a shelter pup and certainly appears to suggest Grandma is still full of life and eager to find a new forever home.
“Im not crying… you’re crying,” a caption accompanying the video reads.
Gray said: “She hasn’t shown any signs of negative impact besides typical depression being in a run consistently, however, she handles it better than other dogs. This is still not the place for any animal, especially a senior. There is a lot of noise.”
There is no risk of Grandma being euthanized. That’s not something that is done at Junction City Shelter. But Gray and the rest of the staff there are desperate to see Grandma’s story get the happy ending it deserves.
“The home that would best suit Grandma is one that has no other pets so she can be the center of your world,” she said. “She isn’t active unless she wants to play with toys and it isn’t hyperactive, so any home could suit her. She is a pretty independent dog!”
If anyone thinks they might be able to provide that, Grandma would love to meet you.
