Washington Woman Takes In A 13-Year-Old Hospice Chihuahua, But His Recovery Takes An Unexpected Turn
Joey was supposed to be a heartbreaking hospice case, but with a little love and medical care, the 13-year-old toothless Chihuahua in Washington proved he wasn’t done living yet.
A Heartbreaking Plea
The story began when Mikey’s Chance Canine Rescue posted a picture of a little dog in a shelter.
The rescue described the 13-year-old Chihuahua, named Joey, as a senior hospice case.
One woman saw his photo and instantly knew she had to step up. “I saw that picture and said, hey, I’ve got to bring this guy home,” she recalled.
Even though she was afraid to fall in love with a dog that might not be around for very long, she couldn’t let him spend his final days alone.
In Desperate Shape
When Joey finally arrived, his physical condition was devastating.
“When I first saw Joey, he was just so beat up. It was sad,” his new mom shared.
The tiny dog was incredibly skinny, and his eyes were heavily crusted together.
Chihuahuas are usually known for their big attitudes, but Joey was completely shut down and didn’t express any of that typical spark.
A Safe Place to Rest
In his new environment, the exhausted little dog finally had a chance to decompress.
He spent most of his early days sleeping, recovering from whatever hardships he had faced before.
During those first few weeks, his new family focused entirely on making him feel secure.
They provided him with lots of love, a warm bed, and the stability he so desperately needed.
Fighting for His Health
Despite his hospice label, his family wasn’t ready to give up on him.
They began taking Joey in for frequent veterinary visits to address his underlying health issues.
“We wanted to fight for him from the very beginning,” his mom explained.
With proper medical care and a dedicated support system, Joey’s body slowly started to heal.
Small Signs of Life
It didn’t take long for the family’s dedication to start paying off.
After just a few days of rest and care, Joey started to become noticeably more active.
He began to wander around the house and showed a newfound interest in exploring outside.
As his health improved, his family noted that they slowly got to see his eyes open more, revealing the sweet soul inside.
Finding His Bounce
As Joey’s strength returned, his true personality began to shine through.
To everyone’s surprise, the little senior dog discovered that he could jump on and off the couches all by himself.
“I didn’t know that guy could move that fast,” his family joked.
He also became incredibly affectionate, demanding to be picked up the minute anyone sat down.
The Tiny Boss of the House
Joey may not have any teeth, but he quickly made up for it with his massive spirit.
He was even caught “red-handed” harmlessly gumming the family cat in a playful show of dominance.
It quickly became clear that Joey was running the household.
“He is the boss, and all of the other dogs allow him to be,” his mom laughed.
A Whole New Lease on Life
What started as a heartbreaking hospice foster situation turned into a beautiful second chance.
His family says his personality is absolutely perfect, and they wouldn’t trade a single thing about their “crazy grandpa dog.”
Joey has completely blossomed into a joyful boy who is ready to explore life all over again.
Instead of nearing the end, this little senior dog is just getting started, and he has his family wrapped right around his little finger.
