When Alanna and Keith, a couple still grieving the loss of their beloved 9-year-old St. Bernard, decided to open their hearts again, they knew exactly what they wanted: to adopt a senior dog.
What they found was Mulligan, a sweet 10-year-old Golden Retriever at the Edmonton Humane Society in Canada, whose journey to a forever home had been filled with more setbacks than most.
Mulligan’s story was a tough one.
His initial adoption fell through, and he was even returned by a subsequent adopter for being “too stinky.”
Coupled with being overweight, sporting a limp, and feeling anxious from three weeks in the shelter, it might have seemed like a daunting task.
But for Alanna and Keith, none of this mattered.
They saw past the challenges and recognized the “goodest” dog beneath.
Determined to give him the loving home he deserved, they arrived at the shelter 30 minutes before opening just to ensure Mulligan would be theirs.
Since his adoption, Mulligan’s spirit has absolutely blossomed.
His new parents are dedicated to giving him a truly “golden” life, gently transitioning him to healthier food and planning vet appointments for a safe exercise regimen, even considering hydrotherapy to ease his joints.
Their heartwarming tale, shared on Instagram, quickly went viral, touching over 322,000 viewers.
It’s a beautiful reminder that senior dogs, even those with a past, have so much love left to give and deserve a comfortable, happy retirement.
