Johanna Carrington didn’t get the chance to own a dog as she was growing up in Germany’s war-torn orphanage.
She has made up the time since then.
Californian, 100 years old, loved dogs as pets. She had eight Pekingese with her husband in the past. Gucci, an 11 year-old Chihuahua hybrid, was adopted by her.
“I just love him,” Carrington said.
After Carrington’s previous dog, Rocky passed away, her home felt eerily silent. When Debbie Carrington mentioned the possibility to Carrington, they were worried that a shelter wouldn’t allow an older woman to adopt a pet.
One of their Moss Beach neighbours volunteers at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco. The group was able to help because it felt like they could. Gucci, formerly known as Gnocchi had just been saved by Muttville Senior Dog Rescue from a hoarding situation that involved 22 dogs. The puppy seemed ready to be left alone and receive lots of love and care.
Eddie Martinez, Johanna Carrington’s carer, promised to walk Gucci every day and assist with his care as a condition of the adoption. Gucci’s foster mom drove the little dog to meet Carrington on September 2, and the latter made himself at home right away.
“He came to the house like he’d been here before. It was remarkable,” Carrington said. “He saw me sitting on my chair, jumped up on me, and sat on my lap. He made himself very comfortable. He was just our baby right away.”
She has given her new friend “oodles and oodles” of toys that he enjoys fetching, and she also massages his back as they both watch TV. Gucci enjoys creating a warm nest in their bed’s covers at night.
Carrington plans to spend time with Gucci in December, when she turns 101. She “absolutely” believes that spending time with dogs is one of the secrets to a long, happy life, even if she attributes her longevity to a healthy lifestyle (she has never had a cigarette or even a sip of alcohol).
“Animals bring so much happiness to our home,” she said. “It’s unbelievable.”
Gucci was not a problem because he was well-behaved and still energetic enough to use the stairs in Carrington’s home. Gucci seemed to be the type of dog that would love living in a home all by himself.
“He’s a very soulful little guy,” Ensor said. “It really is a matchmaking process.”
Ensor says that technology can help seniors looking to adopt dogs. It can be used by family members, friends, neighbours, and caretakers to aid them. Social media was a popular tool used by many animal rescue groups to connect pet adopters with people, particularly during the pandemic. These connections included virtual meet and greets as well as home inspections via Zoom, FaceTime, or Zoom.
“Helping the prospective senior adopter handle the technology can be the first step,” she said.
Debbie Carrington found it very rewarding to help her mother adopt Gucci, Muttville from Seniors for Seniors. The elderly dog was already housebroken, so they do not have to worry about messes, and since he is toothless, they won’t need to set aside money for additional dental care.
But mostly, it is “heartwarming” to witness the pair’s close relationship.
“After she lost her other dog, it was kind of sad here,” Debbie Carrington said. “It was quiet and sad, and then Gucci brought joy into the house. Laughing about him running around and doing funny things, and then also him sleeping on her lap with her while she’s in her recliner or sleeping in her bed, it’s just making her very happy.”
SOURCE : TODAY
