Imagine being a senior dog and suddenly finding yourself in a shelter, upended from the only home you’ve ever known. That was the sad case for a dog named Ollie, who on top of everything else also suffers from dementia.
But recently, his luck turned around as he found a home with someone who truly loves him…
Ollie, a 12-year-old shepherd mix, ended up at the Forsyth Humane Society, in North Carolina, in November 2023, after his previous owners were no longer able to take care of him.
It’s always more difficult for older dogs to find new homes, but to further complicate Ollie’s case, the old dog was also suffering from dementia, according to WXII 12. He can get disoriented and anxious sometimes, but thankfully he’s on medication that helps his condition, and is still an active dog.
“The dementia doesn’t slow him down. He just needs a home with structure and a schedule,” Forsyth Humane Society adoption counselor Annette Grove told WXII last month. “Just a home where he can spend his last years and be pampered and loved.”
“These older dogs are simply enjoying the moment they’re in — enjoying the moment and living in the present.”
A month after arriving at the shelter, Ollie was placed in a foster home with Allyson Hewitt. Allyson created a routine for Ollie to help him manage his dementia, and cared for him through good days and bad.
Ollie was up for adoption, and at first Allyson just wanted him to find a perfect forever home — but over time, she realized that he already was home.
After Ollie had a meet-and-greet with a potential adopter, the foster realized that she couldn’t bear to part with him, and decided that if they passed on adopting Ollie, she would adopt him herself.
On September 24, Forsyth Humane Society announced that Allyson had officially adopted Ollie for good!
“We’re so thrilled to share that she has officially adopted Ollie,” they announced on Facebook. “He will continue to get the love and stability he deserves in his forever home, where he’s already found his perfect match. Thank you to everyone who supported Ollie’s journey—we couldn’t be happier for him!”
People online were touched by this sweet “foster fail,” and thanked her for adopting Ollie for good.
“This brought tears to my eyes!” one comment reads. “So happy for both of them. It takes a lot of love and dedication and Ollie’s new official mom gave him that! How wonderful! Thank you for your compassionate heart!!!”
“Ollie is one happy dog! So thankful for fosters like the one Ollie had,” another commented. “She had a space in her heart that needed him and vice versa. It’s a perfect match.”
“I’m crying reading this! I’m so glad he found his furever loving home with his incredible new mom!”
We are so glad that Ollie has officially found a forever home with someone who truly loves him! Please share this heartwarming story! ❤️
