Overlooked California Senior Retriever Enters Foster Care And Proves She’s A Gentle Giant With A Chihuahua’s Spirit
When a foster volunteer in California agreed to take home a mystery dog, she had no idea she would be handed a 74-pound senior retriever who thinks she is a Chihuahua.
A Leap of Faith for a Mystery Mutt
Walking into a California rescue organization, one foster volunteer was ready for a completely new experience.
She had agreed to take home a mystery mutt, knowing absolutely nothing about the dog’s background, size, or breed.
The staff at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue had carefully selected their favorite dog for her, and the anticipation was building.
She was told to turn around and close her eyes, waiting for the big reveal.
The Big Reveal
When she finally opened her eyes, she was greeted by a massive, fluffy surprise.
The mystery mutt was a 74-pound retriever mix named Sundae.
“Oh, you’re so big and fluffy! You want to come home with us?” the volunteer exclaimed, clearly thrilled by the unexpected match.
It was the largest dog she had ever fostered, but she was super excited to try something new.
A Heartbreaking Past
Before leaving, the Muttville staff filled her in on Sundae’s heartbreaking backstory.
The 12-year-old retriever had come from another local shelter after her owner passed away.
Sundae had been through a rough couple of weeks, losing her home and her family in a short amount of time.
She was more than ready to decompress in a foster home and finally be surrounded by love again.
A Gentle Giant in a Small Dog’s World
Once they arrived home, Sundae’s true personality quickly began to shine.
Despite weighing 74 pounds, the sweet senior seemed convinced she was the size of a Chihuahua.
The foster home already had three senior Chihuahuas, and Sundae fit right in.
She was incredibly gentle and sweet with her tiny new friends, proving that size doesn’t matter when you have a big heart.
Advocating for Senior Dogs
Caring for Sundae reminded her foster mom of the importance of giving older dogs a chance.
There is often a stigma surrounding senior dogs, with people assuming they are just old and riddled with health issues.
But as Sundae proved every day, senior dogs have so much love to give and just want a comfortable place to spend their golden years.
Sadly, older dogs are often among the first to lose their chance at finding a home when shelters become overcrowded.
Discovering Her Love for Kids
After three weeks of fostering, Sundae spent some time in a home with a family, revealing another wonderful trait.
They discovered that the gentle giant absolutely adored children of all ages.
She would greet the kids every day after school with a huge, happy smile on her face.
Sundae proved that she could thrive in a family environment, bringing joy to everyone she met.
Finding the Perfect Fit
While Sundae loved humans and other dogs, her foster family did discover one important detail about her preferences.
Cats were definitely not her favorite, so she would need a feline-free home.
However, as long as she had humans to love and perhaps some canine companions, she would be perfectly happy.
She was a versatile dog who could adapt to many different environments, as long as she was showered with affection.
Managing Health with Ease
Like many senior dogs, Sundae did have a few health issues that required attention.
However, managing her health turned out to be incredibly simple.
She just needed to take some pills every day, which she accepted with no problem at all.
Her minor medical needs were a small price to pay for the immense amount of love she brought into the home.
A Special Treat for a Special Girl
Despite being the perfect companion, Sundae was having a hard time finding a forever family.
To lift her spirits and celebrate her sweet nature, her foster mom decided to do something super special.
They took a little trip to In-N-Out for a delicious treat.
When presented with her special meal, Sundae’s eyes lit up, and she absolutely loved every bite.
Waiting for Her Forever Family
Sundae’s journey from a grieving, surrendered dog to a joyful, burger-eating foster pup is a testament to the resilience of senior dogs.
She has proven time and time again that she is a gentle, loving soul who just wants to be part of a family.
Sundae deserves the best home possible, one that will spoil her every single day.
For now, she continues to live her best life in foster care, waiting patiently for the perfect family to finally bring her home.
