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By Maria Azzurra Volpe
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After being left behind following an eviction, a 12-year-old dog named Lady Belle found herself alone in shelter, trying to survive as best as she could—but then her life changed.
In a viral Instagram video shared in October by @boroughbredinbrooklyn, the senior pup can be seen being pet on the head by workers, wondering what she’s doing there at her old age despite having had a family before.
It turns out that Lady Belle ended up there after her owners were evicted from their home. But she never lost her gentle and playful nature despite what happened to her.
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“12-year-old Lady Belle was left behind after an eviction. The police said she was gentle when they got her. A shelter is no place for an old girl,” the caption reads.
“Lady walks ok but loses her feet from under her. She’s not eating much, but she loves peanut butter! And she should get anything she wants. Most of all she needs a home.”
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Thankfully, Lady Belle soon got blessed with the gift of a new family who loves and cherishes her, and a home where she can enjoy her senior years lovingly and peacefully.
According to Pet MD, a dog is considered a senior primarily based on size, as larger breeds age faster and have shorter lifespans than smaller ones.
Giant breeds, such as Great Danes, may be seniors by age 6–7, while small breeds, like Dachshunds, typically reach senior status around 10–12. However, most dogs fall into the senior category at about 8 years old.
As dogs age, they commonly experience physical changes such as graying fur, reduced skin elasticity, and cloudy eyes from nuclear sclerosis, which does not affect vision. Energy levels decline, and appetite may change, signaling potential medical issues.
Mobility often decreases due to muscle loss, arthritis, or obesity. Behavioral shifts, including increased sleep, anxiety, or signs of cognitive dysfunction, may also appear. Sensory decline in vision, hearing, smell, or taste is common.
Senior dog care focuses on regular veterinary checkups, proper nutrition, comfort, and pain management to support a healthy, active life.
The video quickly went viral on social media and it has so far received over 286,000 views and 21,000 likes on the platform.
One user, Kelseyleavy, commented: “Oh sweet girl!! You deserve so much better for your golden years. Come on, let’s help get her SEEN so she can be SAVED!! Pledge 5 toward rescue! Please keep sharing commenting etc. it all helps!”
Sheltertosofa_ri wrote: “My senior lady adoption from this shelter is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! DO IT!”
Keeping_up_with_kris10m said: “Yay!!! So happy she found a home.”
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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