When this family adopted Kurbis, who literally “fell into their lap” at a senior dog adoption event, they could feel how much he wanted to be loved, but his past was a mystery. In the time since, he’s learned to be a dog and they say it even seems like he’s getting younger!

Why you should adopt a senior!

Senior dogs are often overlooked at shelters and rescues because of their age, passed over for cute, little puppies. Those puppies are undeniably cute, but not every household has the time or energy for a puppy. They can be challenging (which is why so many end up back at the shelter!). Senior dogs on the other hand, often come with life skills at the ready. Important ones like leash walking, not going in the house, even tricks! They most often know that toys and treats are for chewing, while shoes are not!

Seniors often love to sleep and or snuggle the day away, and while they need exercise like any other dog, it’s usually less.

The fit easily into a household and make wonderful companions (for instance, with human seniors, who not only appreciate their low maintenance, but their calm, age and wisdom!).

Senior dogs may not have as many years as a pup, but they often have many more than you’d think. Just think about Kurbis in the above video from The Dodo‘s Pittie Nation — he seemed to get younger once he was in a happy place with a family who loved and cared for him!

Oftentimes, people mistakenly think that older dogs in rescue or at a shelter were problematic, which is why they ended up homeless. Most of the time, this isn’t the case. There are many reasons people give up their older pets. Some arrive at the shelter because their owner had to move or even passed away. But more importantly, it’s not generally their “fault.”

These dogs need homes, just like the younger ones. Give a senior a chance. Most people find it to be an incredibly rewarding experience.

Christian Shenouda was going to buy a dog, but when someone told him he should visit a shelter to adopt instead, it seemed like a good idea. That’s where he met, and fell in mutual forever-love, with a pittie mix named Ray. Shenouda told The Dodo’s Pittie Nation that Ray’s winning smile won him over, and Shenouda found himself quickly becoming something of a pit bull ambassador. His relationship with Ray made him want to share his experience and show the world what wonderful companions this misunderstood dogs can be.

Like the rest of the world’s adoption proponents, Shenouda (sadly!) could nto adopt all the dogs, but as a photographer, he found he could donate some time to helping shelters — so often overwhelmed with the sheer numbers they have to move through their system — getting better photos of their residents, images that capture their winning pibble personalities far more accurately than the sad snapshots so often taken when they first come through the shelter doors.

Since then, Shenouda’s photos have helped countless dogs – pups just like his own beloved Ray – find their loving forever homes. He also does photo sessions for families, too, capturing pups and their people in beautiful moments they will cherish.

“Ever since I adopted my rescue pup Ray, it’s been puppy love ever since!” Shenouda writes on his website. “Dogs inspire us to live life to the fullest and there’s nothing I love more than to capture and share those moments!”

Check out Christian’s website here!

A note about dogs who smile….

Animal behaviorists have noted dog “smiles” to be a submissive gesture of appeasement, one that shows you and other people that he or she is non-agressive, not a threat. Submissive grins, in dog-speak, are a way to show deference to another individual. Generally, say experts, these grins are associated with increased movement and a body posture that is lower than the dog’s normal stance (remember when Ray was belly-crawling for his boiled chicken?).

Cuda’s family adopted her at five months, not knowing what was “wrong” with her. It turned out: nothing, really! Cuda was born with short spine syndrome, a condition caused by inbreeding. Aside from having a little difficulty scratching her butt, she’s just like any other dog! (Note to the concerned: her family makes sure she gets plenty of butt scratches!).

Owner Julie LeRoy, a former animal control officer, says that Cuda’s former owner bought her off Craigslist for $50.

She runs – fast! She plays. She loves her human and canine family members. She was even certified as a therapy dog, so she brings lots of love and sweetness to many people outside her own circle. Her mom thinks Cuda helps people become comfortable in their own skin — and she is so grateful that she gets to have a dog so special.

What is short spine syndrome?

Short spine syndrome is a defect dogs have from birth. The vertebrae are compressed, creating a severe shortening of the spinal column, and giving dogs a short, hunch back look.

Often the some of the vertebrae are even fused together, which means dogs born with this condition are often less flexible than other pups (resulting in circumstances like Cuda’s, wherein she has trouble scratching her rear end!). One of the signature features of dogs with short spine syndrome is a neck-less appearance. As the vertebrae is fused, they generally cannot turn their heads and instead must pivot around completely to see things that are behind them. These dogs have “normal-looking legs,” but short, barrel-shaped bodies. Many have fewer ribs than the average dog.

While rare, dogs with short spine syndrome have been getting greater visibility of late. Cuda is just one of the poster children for the condition. Others include Pig, the Unusual Dog…

…and Quasimodo!

The condition is so rare that only a handful of dogs in the world, numbering somewhere in the teens, are known to have the condition.

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Carlos was in bad shape when rescuers found him wandering the streets of Puerto Rico. And when the woman who would become his mom saw his photo, she knew he was meant to join the family. Since then, he’s become an incredible companion to her three small children and she is proud to be a pit bull mom and an advocate for this so-often-misunderstood breed.

Follow him on Instagram here!

Great story from the Dodo’s Pittie Nation!

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Courtney is a lovely, young woman whose many chronic illnesses keep her at home. Awhile back, she decided that fostering animals would be a wonderful way to give back — and have great company! She’s fostered hundreds of pets before they found loving homes. Then she met a sickly, young pit bull who struck a chord. Now she’s found a permanent companion via foster failure! ?

A beautiful story from the Dodo’s “Soulmates” series.

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Mervin has no teeth. And he’s cranky. And he barks a lot. And his dads adore him.
Phenomenally cute, sweet story from the Dodo’s Little But Fierce!

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When an injured dog showed up on their porch, this couple wasn’t sure what to do. They always told their grandkids to be careful around dogs they didn’t know, but it quickly became clear they had nothing to worry about.

Marvelous, sweet story from The Dodo.