8-year-old boy makes it his mission to save as many senior dogs he can
The U.S. is experiencing a disturbing national trend. People are returning older dogs to get younger puppies. Older dogs tend to have more medical issues meaning higher overall costs. Fortunately, they have an ally in 8-year-old Robbie Gay. Robbie has made it his mission to save older dogs.
Robbie Gay just loves older dogs
“There’s something about old dogs that I just like,” Robbie told CBS Evening News.
Robbie sees a little of himself in an older dog. You see, Robbie is adopted. Before he entered the foster system, he lived life as an abused child. He was so badly abused that he had to be hospitalized with brain injuries twice. Then, two years before his life had changed, he was adopted by loving parents Maria and Charles.
“He knows what it feels like not to be loved and cared for. He’s the most hopeful, optimistic, and genuinely caring kid who has absolutely no reason to be that way,” said Robbie’s adoptive mom, Maria.
Life as an abused child
His former life as an abused child had a drastic effect on Robbie. According to Maria, Robbie could not cry. Despite all that had happened to him, Robbie could not cry, at least one of his dogs passed away. One of his older dogs, named Buffy, had to be put down. Robbie wanted to hold her as long as he could. He even had his mother take pictures of the whole process.
Robbie decides to adopt older pets
After Buffy had passed away, Robbie was finally ready to let her go. He told his mom at the time, “I know how it feels not to be loved or cared for and I don’t want any animal of mine to feel that way. People don’t want older people and older dogs. They only want babies and puppies,”
Robbie wants to adopt foster children of his own someday
Robbie plans to someday adopt an older foster child like himself. Until then, he wants to show his commitment by adopting as many old dogs as his parents will allow him to. Currently, he has six older dogs. One of his most recent adoptions is a Shih Tzu named Molly. Lame and snaggletoothed, Molly was adopted by Robbie after her owner had to go into an assisted living facility.
The benefits of adopting an older dog
Some of the benefits of adopting an older dog is the fact that they are already trained, are more laid back, and many of them know the basic commands, such as sit or stay. In many cases though, people return older dogs to the shelter because the novelty of owning a younger dog has worn off or they don’t have any other choice.
Here is a video with more on this special boy.
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