Senior California Dog Puts Both Paws On The Couch And Makes A Sound His Fosters Never Expected
A senior dog named Gus arrived at a California shelter with his bonded brother. When tragedy struck, a patient foster family helped him learn to love again.
A Surrendered Pair
When a senior dog named Gus arrived at the San Diego Humane Society in California, he wasn’t alone. He was owner-surrendered alongside his bonded brother.
The two dogs were deeply connected, relying on each other for comfort in an unfamiliar and stressful environment.
Adrian and Spencer, experienced senior dog fosters, stepped up to take the pair in. They wanted to give the brothers a safe place to land.
“They loved each other so much,” Adrian recalled. “It was clear that they’d been so soothing to each other through really difficult times.”
An Unexpected Loss
Tragically, Gus’s brother was very sick. Despite the loving care from his new foster family, his time with them was sadly very brief.
The loss was devastating for Gus. He suddenly found himself without the companion who had been his anchor.
“Gus was so lonely and sad and just seemed to be really struggling,” his fosters explained.
He would curl up in the bed he used to share with his brother, staying there all day with little interest in anything else.
Patience And Hand-Feeding
Seeing Gus so heartbroken shifted Adrian into a deeper caregiver role. The couple knew they had to take things slowly to help him heal.
They focused on gentle routines, offering him food with patience and taking him on long, quiet walks.
Gus also arrived with severe dental issues, which made eating difficult. To ensure he was getting enough nutrition, Adrian and Spencer hand-fed him for about two months.
It was a slow process, but their quiet dedication began to build trust.
Finding Comfort In A New Friend
Adrian and Spencer already had a crew of senior dogs in their home, and one in particular stepped up to help Gus.
Their dog, Eugene, seemed to understand what Gus needed. He started getting into bed with the grieving dog to offer cuddles.
The gentle companionship made a world of difference. Gus finally had a warm spot next to a friend who was willing to just be there for him.
“No one will ever replace TomTom for Gus,” they noted, but the new friendship helped him feel safe again.
A “Foster Fail”
As Gus began to heal, Adrian and Spencer realized they couldn’t imagine their home without him.
The dog who had arrived so shut down and grieving was slowly showing them his true personality.
“We just couldn’t let Gus go, so we ended up adopting him,” they shared.
Over time, Gus made a complete turnaround. The estimated 9-to-11-year-old dog blossomed into a completely different, happy pup.
Playing Favorites
As Gus settled in, he developed some strong opinions about his humans. He proved to be a little “people selective,” and he definitely picked a favorite.
Adrian believes a bath might have sealed her fate. “I gave him a bath, and he really did not like it,” she laughed.
After the bath, Gus ran straight to Spencer and refused to go near Adrian for a while.
Since then, Gus has appointed himself as Spencer’s ultimate protector.
A Shadow Named Gus
Gus’s devotion to Spencer is absolute. He doesn’t even want Adrian getting too close to his chosen dad.
He acts as a tiny, fiercely loyal shadow. Even when Spencer takes the trash out, Gus will tentatively follow him across uncomfortable gravel just to stay close.
“I think he always saw Spencer as this really safe space,” Adrian explained.
His loyalty is both touching and hilarious to his adoptive parents.
A Bizarre Little Voice
Gus isn’t afraid to show off his quirks. One of his funniest traits is his unique way of communicating.
Instead of a normal bark, Gus lets out strange little sounds that sometimes resemble a bird.
The couple first noticed it when he wanted to get on the couch. He put both paws on the cushion and let out a bizarre “scream/chirp.”
“He’s just a funny dog that is not afraid to show who he is,” they said.
Managing His Health
When Gus first arrived, he was overweight and dealing with osteoarthritis, which affected his mobility.
He also struggles with medial luxating patellas, a condition where his knee joints pop in and out of their sockets.
With the help of a great vet and a new diet, Adrian and Spencer have been working hard to get his weight under control.
The changes have made a huge difference, and he’s doing much better physically.
A Future Filled With Love
Gus’s shelter name was originally “RatRat,” which his family thought was a bit rude, though they still use it jokingly when he’s in trouble.
Today, Gus is living his best life, surrounded by his senior dog siblings and the humans who saved him.
Adrian and Spencer love fostering and adopting senior dogs, and they hope to have many more years with Gus.
“Whether he hates me or loves me,” Adrian said, “I will always be here to give him as much love as possible.”
