Dumped Because She’s Dying: Hospice Dog Abandoned At the Shelter Right Before Christmas Finds Love Again
We have a soft spot for hospice dogs for this one reason: these senior beauties still give their hearts fully despite the tiredness they carry within their aging bodies. That’s why it really pains us when a hospice dog is abandoned by the one family that once promised them forever. This is exactly what happened to Nena, a 14-year-old Akita.
Sweet Nena was dumped at the shelter a few days before Christmas. She had spent all her years showing her family unconditional love and loyalty, only for them to toss her aside at her lowest point in life. And the thing is, Nena wasn’t asking for much. All she wanted was a family that would still stick beside her when she was no longer “easy” to care for. Instead, she got betrayal. (Watch the video below)
@celinetails Everybody meet our new hospice foster Nena🤍 she came to us after her family dumped her at the shelter right before Christmas. At 14 years old dumped like she was nothing…it absolutely broke my heart so I knew we had to rescue her to give her her last months in love and dignity🥹 #fosterdog #akita #rescuedog ♬ Our Love Was Beautiful – Instrumental Version – Straight White Teeth
Neglected For Too Long
What’s more heartbreaking about Nena’s story is the poor state she was in when she arrived at the shelter. Besides being painfully matted, Nena was suffering from severe ear infections and a horrible flea infestation that left her with almost no hair on her back. It was obvious her family had stopped being bothered about her health & well-being long ago.
Everyone at the shelter could tell that Nena felt deeply broken and confused when she found herself all alone in a cold kennel. Though Nena couldn’t understand why her family left her behind, her heart never stopped craving for someone to love her in her final chapter of life.
Thankfully, Nena didn’t stay at the shelter for long because her story reached TikTok user @celinetails, who was too moved to ignore her plight. @celinetails reached out to the shelter and offered to give sweet Nena a home for the remaining time she had left.
From Forgotten to Cherished
Thanks to @celinetails, Nena ushered in the new year in a home where she feels deeply safe and loved. So far, she’s received a thorough grooming session and veterinary care for her prolonged health issues. Nena is in much better shape today compared to how she was when @celinetails first took her in; you’d almost mistake her for a completely different dog.
Nena now wakes up to nourishing meals, a soft bed to rest her frail bones, slow walks, and above all, a family that shows her every day that she’s worthy of love, warmth, and dignity as she nears the end of life.
While Nena may not have much time left, it’s comforting to know that her last memories won’t be of her being dumped at the shelter. She’ll leave this world with a grateful heart, knowing she received the greatest gift anyone can offer to a hospice dog: love.
