This senior dog was dumped in a shelter to die but instead found her 'fountain of youth'

It’s hard to believe the amazing transformation Netty had gone through thanks to the love and care of her new owners. Initially dumped in the shelter to be put down, she was then adopted into a ‘fountain of youth’ new home where she recovered from her health problems and is now living her best life.

‘She still had a quality of life’

Netty, a 15-year-old mixed pit bull, was dropped at a Philadelphia shelter by her owners of 12 years. They wanted the old pup to be euthanized. The pooch had some incontinence difficulties in the house and the owners who had adopted her in 2010 ‘weren't interested in talking about other options for her, like medications'.

The shelter’s vets evaluated Netty and weren’t persuaded it was her time to go.

Maddie Bernstein, manager of lifesaving at the Pennsylvania SPCA, said:

They felt like she still had a quality of life. They started her on meds, and she did really well. She was starting to improve.

A search for a new home

It’s never easy to find a home for a senior dog, but Netty had luck on her side.

The shelter shared her story on social media and they were taken aback by the people’s reaction.

They wrote in their post:

We hate to break your hearts, again, but here we are. We are looking for a home where she can spend whatever time she has left.

Netty is VERY low maintenance and could live with dogs, cats and respectful kids. Can you please help us spread the word about this beautiful soul to get her out of the shelter and into a warm, cosy bed?

The post was soon flooded with offers to adopt Netty. Dozens of animal lovers across the country wanted to take her in.

‘A fountain of youth’

When a vet, Amy Kidd, who already had six senior dogs, saw the post, she immediately reached out to the Pennsylvania SPCA.

Kidd and her husband only take senior and special medical needs pets into their family and have been housing ‘hopeless cases’ over the past eight years. Many animals considered ‘hospice dogs’ did incredibly well and lived three or four years longer in their care, Washington Post writes.

Kidd said:

When they get to our house, it's kind of a fountain of youth. We try to do what's best for them, as long as we possibly can.

‘The queen bee of the house’

Happy in a new home and with the help of medication, Netty quickly got her incontinence under control. The arthritis in her lower spine and elbows is steadily improving. The hydrotherapy in the family’s backyard pool ‘has done wonders’ for her mobility.

Kidd said:

She is getting stronger and stronger, and it's really fun to watch her personality come out. She's kind of a stubborn girl, and it's pretty funny because she's supposed to be this old lady that can't walk. She is officially the queen bee of the house.

Kidd and her family hope that their story will inspire more people to give senior dogs a chance.

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