A Loxahatchee, Florida shelter received on June 28 one of their most challenging surrenders yet — a 20-year-old senior dog Dax.
Dax, a loyal Weimaraner dog, was unfortunately surrendered by its own fur parents.
A TikTok video was posted by Big Ranch Rescue cascading an essential message about “the responsibilities of being a dog owner, physically and emotionally.”
The shelter's TikTok video wrote in the caption, “It is unfathomable to think about a loving, loyal 20-year-old senior dog, at the end of his lifespan, given up and left confused and heartbroken.”
“A home should be forever.”
@bigdogranchrescuefl 💙PLEASE WATCH-LISTEN-READ-SHARE This is DAX 🐾 a 20 year old Weimaraner surrendered by his owner and is now foster care with Big Dog Ranch Rescue. It is unfathomable to think about a loving loyal 20 year old senior dog, at the end of his life span, given up and left confused and heartbroken. 💔 Please let Dax’s story be a reminder of the responsibilities of being a dog owner, physically and emotionally. They are not just dogs-they are our children and our family memebers who love us unconditionally and remain forever loyal, asking for little in return. 💙Miracle Fund Donate: Link in Bio ☝🏻 🐾 Adopt: www.BDRR.org/adopt 🏠 Foster: [email protected] 💚Donate: www.bdrr.org/donate 💲Venmo: @bigdogranchrescue 💰CashApp: @bigdogranchrescue 💵Zelle: [email protected] #bdrr #bigdogranchrescue #fyp #savedogs #trending #adoptme #dogrescue #viralvideo #adoptdontshop #shelterstories #seniordogrescue #Weimaraner #weimaranersoftiktok #weimaranerrescue #helpadoptme #miracledogs
With over 70,000 views on TikTok, thousands of commenters expressed their concerns and outrage about Dax’s unfortunate situation.
In a positive light, Big Ranch Rescue’s spokesperson told Newsweek that “Dax still has a lot of life and love in him.”
“He can get himself up onto a sofa and off again and is steady on his feet with a little assistance at first. He loves his toys and treats and is great with other dogs,” the shelter assures.
Senior dogs being surrendered to rescue shelters isn’t uncommon.
In a report released by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), only 25% of senior dogs are adopted out of millions of pups surrendered each year.
Fortunately, the outpouring of support allowed the senior dog to find a forever home almost immediately.
Dax stayed at a temporary foster home, Love4Paws, where it got its new set of wheels before finally moving in with a loving adopter.
“Through your support, we were able to provide DAX his necessary medication, supplies, food, a new wheelchair, a new orthopedic bed, and lots of toys for him to take to his new home!”
Just In: Big Rescue Shelter made a heartbreaking TikTok update on August 2 that Dax crossed the rainbow bridge due to an “aggressive and quickly growing tumor on his liver.”
@bigdogranchrescuefl 💔💔Heartbreakingly, we had to say goodbye to our beloved Dax, a 20-year-old Weimaraner, as he peacefully crossed the rainbow bridge and now rests in the hands of our Lord in heaven. Dax had been under the loving care of his adoptive mother, but his health started to decline with labored breathing, his appetite wanning, and incontinence. Sadly, his new mother also faced an unfortunate set of circumstances and needed to care for a rapidly ailing parent out of state. We brought Dax back to Big Dog Ranch Rescue for specialized care. The ultrasound revealed our worst fears – he had an aggressive and quickly growing tumor on his liver, undetectable in the previous month's x-ray, that had metastasized to his kidneys, spleen, and lungs making breathing difficult. Throughout these challenging times, we showered Dax with around-the-clock love, affection, and special home-cooked meals. Sadly, in the past few days, his breathing became more labored, and we couldn't bear to see him suffer any longer. Yesterday, with heavy hearts, we made the difficult decision to let him go to heaven. Dax's remarkable 20-year journey exceeded all expectations for a Weimaraner. From coming to Big Dog Ranch Rescue, spending time in foster care, and then finding his forever home, then back to us again, he touched the lives of so many with his inspiring story, spreading courage and the will to fight for life. He will forever remain in our hearts. 💙Miracle Fund Donate: www.BDRR.org/miracle-fund #weimaraner #bigdogranchrescue #bdrr #adoptdontshop #dogrescue #daxtheweimar #rescuedog #foreverhome #dogadoptionjourney #fyp #trending #dogshelter #restinpeaceangel #rainbowbridge #rainbowbridge🌈 #rainbowbridgedog #weimaranersoftiktok
“Throughout these challenging times, we showered Dax with around-the-clock love, affection, and special home-cooked meals.”
“Sadly, in the past few days, his breathing became more labored, and we couldn't bear to see him suffer any longer.”
As the shelter encourages, Dax’s story remains to be a solid message to dog owners out there.
“They are not just dogs — they are our children and our family members who love us unconditionally and remain forever loyal, asking for little in return.”
