Rescue dogs have big hearts bursting with love, if only someone would give them the chance to show it. Some of them are so empathetic, they can't help but tend to other pets in need to offer the compassion they needed at some point. Fifteen-year-old Shepherd/Golden Retriever mix, Raylan, the senior rescue dog, is the purest example of what rescues are capable of, including fostering dozens kittens over the years.
In the most heartwarming Instagram post this week by @raylan_the_dog , we get answers to questions regarding sweet Raylan, specifically why he's so good at nurturing kittens. Check out his story and prepare to be in awe!
"We’ve collected a few new followers recently, so I thought I’d put together a little cheat sheet on Raylan to answer our most frequently asked questions," the caption says. "Hope our new and old friends like it!"
The video shows a montage of moments between Raylan and various kittens napping on the couch together, and him bathing and watching over various litters of teeny-tiny kittens,
Raylan's mom gave a little insight into the sweetheart of a pup saying they rescued him from "the euthanasia list at a high-kill shelter" in Ontario back in 2012. He was 18 months old, "completely untrained, and full of potential."
"I brought home his first foster kittens when he was 3 years old, and he immediately wanted to clean them and carry them," Raylan's mom said. "No training from me!"
She noted that Raylan doesn't get sad when kittens are adopted because he "enjoys the reprieve" when they go, as it's around the time they're a little too rambunctious for him! However, a few weeks later, "he starts to get mopey/bored" if they don't have new fosters and he perks up when more arrive. So far, they've fostered more than 150 kittens! Raylan is perfect, as noted by Mom and others and we've never agreed more!
"Love his origin story. ADOPT, everyone. You could have a Raylan," one person wrote.
"I genuinely love Raylan like he's my nephew dog. This made me tear up," another said.
"You have a gem in Raylan! It's amazing what a little love can do for an unwanted animal," another added, and it's so true.
Related: 'Happiest Dog at the Shelter' Gets Rescued and His Joy is Absolutely Infectious
Benefits of Adopting Senior Dogs
Raylan is a shining star and he's a great example of why senior dogs make amazing additions to the family. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay says older pups require less training , generally have a calmer temperament and are less likely to be adopted despite having so many great qualities.
When you adopt a pup who's more experienced in life, they likely already know many basic commands, if not more advanced commands. That means you'll spend less time training obedience and more time loving them.
An older dog that's had a whole life before you could mean they've settled down quite a bit by the time you meet. This is a case where maturity equals stability so if you're looking for a more chill pet, seniors are where it's at!
Seniors get overlooked at the shelter all the time. The shelter notes that while younger pups get adopted 60% of the time, seniors only amount to about 25% which is sad. These sweethearts deserve a forever home they can spend the rest of their years in.
You never know—you might find a senior dog just as loving and compassionate as Raylan, and that's worth betting on!
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