All shelter dogs dream of getting adopted, but some kinds of dogs have trouble finding a home. Many adopters want young dogs that will be with them for many years, and overlook older pets and those with health problems.
But even the dogs who maybe don’t have much time left deserve a loving home, and it takes a special, caring kind of person to take them in.
Like one woman, who formed a bond with an ailing, senior shelter dog, and made his life amazing in his final days ❤️
In June 2020, Kate Schakols and her family went to Gulf Coast STARS to adopt a dog, and an unexpected choice soon spoke to them. It was a chocolate Lab mix named Rooster, a senior dog with a number of health problems.
Rooster was about 10-12 years old, was blind in his left eye due to cataracts, was missing fur and had benign lumps around his body. His teeth and elbow pads were worn down from a life of digging in concrete for food.
Despite these problems, and warnings that Rooster might not have much time left on earth, Kate knew she was destined to take him home.
“The bond I had with Rooster was unreal,” she told People. “I’d never felt that specific type of connection before, and it was obvious to everyone that he had chosen me to be his person.”
“I fell so in love. He is just one of the most beautiful dogs I’ve ever seen, inside and out.”
In a viral TikTok post, Kate described how she and Rooster changed each other’s lives. The senior dog loved finally being in a real, loving home: far from living on concrete, he had his own bed and the grass was great on his achy joints.
He also had a playmate in Kate’s other dog, Bailey, and the two dogs shared meals together. Rooster had a toy for the first time in his life.
All the while, Kate continued to love Rooster like he was the most beautiful dog in the world. Sadly, their time together wasn’t meant to last. After 28 days, Rooster’s stomach began to painfully swell.
While Kate wrote that she begged God not to take Rooster, she knew it was his time and made the decision to humanely euthanize the sweet dog.
“It was time for us to say goodbye,” the TikTok video reads, imagining what Rooster might’ve said. “ I know my mom is sad, but I wish she knew these were the best 28 days of my life.”
Kate whispered that she would always love him and was sorry she couldn’t save him, but also knew that they would see each other over the rainbow bridge one day and that she made his final weeks truly incredible.
The TikTok has been viewed over 100 million times, touching many hearts online. Many commented thanking Kate for giving Rooster the best 28 days of his life.
“There’s so many stories of dogs being adopted but passing soon after and I think they finally felt peace and comfort and safe to let themselves go,” one commenter wrote.
“It’s like he held on until he could feel love and joy. When he did he was finally at peace and able to cross the rainbow bridge,” another added.
Kate has since opened her heart to other pets, including a senior cat named Archie and a dog named Millie. But she’ll never forget her brief but incredible time with Rooster.
“I could never possibly repay Rooster for how much joy and love he brought to my life,” she told People.
Rest in peace, Rooster — we’re so glad you were able to spend your final days in the loving home you deserved ❤️🌈
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