By Lydia Patrick
Life & Trends Reporter
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A 12-year-old senior dog's transformation from being in a shelter to finding a forever home has captured the hearts of the internet.
Mara, a big white dog, was surrendered to the Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha when her previous owner became homeless. Her future seemed uncertain until Sarah Brumfield, a 40-year-old Reddit user from Omaha, decided to adopt her.
"Adopted this senior sweetheart yesterday!" Brumfield, known as GeekyMama on Reddit, shared in a heartfelt post that quickly garnered 2,200 upvotes.
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The post featured poignant before-and-after photos of Mara—first, looking forlorn in the shelter, and then radiating joy and contentment in her new home alongside her new sister, Hera.
adopted this senior sweetheart yesterday bonus
r/BeforeNAfterAdoption
Brumfield, a community health educator, has a soft spot for older dogs, routinely adopting them from shelters to provide them with a loving "retirement home."
"Our first dog together was 8 years old, and after that, we decided to continue adopting senior dogs," Brumfield told Newsweek. "We love being able to give them a home for however much time they may have left."
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In 2022, after losing their long-time family dog, Brumfield's family also welcomed a puppy, Hera, who is now two years old.
Sadly, just months later, they lost another senior dog. Despite the heartbreak, Brumfield and her family felt ready to open their hearts and home to another senior dog, and Mara was the perfect fit.
"Hera and Mara are getting along wonderfully! It's like Mara was meant to be part of our family," Brumfield shared with joy.
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Senior dogs like Mara often end up in shelters due to their owners' changing circumstances, such as financial difficulties, health issues, or housing constraints, according to the Animal Foundation.
Unfortunately, these dogs are frequently overlooked in favor of younger pets, despite the many benefits of adopting an older dog. Senior dogs are typically calmer, fully trained, and grateful for the love and care they receive in their later years.
Redditors were deeply moved by Mara's adoption story, with many sharing their own experiences of adopting senior pets.
"Adopting seniors is the best," said one user, MarleneFrancais. "I once adopted a 10-year-old, thinking I'd give him a great last year or so. He lived until almost 15. Your senior is precious. Both dogs are adorable. Great that you did this."
Another user, AnnaHalter, added, "This warms my heart. The 10-year-old baby living till 15 just goes to show how much love and care can do... I suddenly miss my dog, He grew with me till I was 18."
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One commenter couldn't help but notice Mara's joy. "She's so happy in the second pic. Happy to see that she found a partner to sploot with," said darkest_irish_lass.
For those unfamiliar, "splooting" refers to a cute, often humorous position where a dog lies flat on their belly with their legs stretched out behind them. This playful behavior isn't just adorable—it's also a sign that the dog feels safe and relaxed in its environment.
"Omg! The smile! Bless you and congratulations!!!" another user exclaimed, capturing the overall sentiment of the community.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pets you'd like to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them to life@newsweek.com, and they could appear on our site.
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