repare for your heart to melt as you watch the moment a senior dog hops down a corrdior on the way to his 23rd birthday party.
That’s right, Cooper, a poodle mix, has outlived his life expectancy by almost a decade. The video of the one-eyed dog, who lives at Young at Heart Senior Pets sanctuary in Woodstock, Illinois, has been a huge hit on TikTok.
So far, the video shared to @youngatheartpets has racked up over 533,000 views since it was shared on February, 10. The footage shows Cooper wearing a birthday crown as he hobbles to the kitchen before devouring his birthday meal.
The shelter’s founder Dawn Kemper told Newsweek: “He’s such a sweet and determined old boy. He knows what he wants, when he wants it, and we cater to him—and why shouldn’t we? He’s 23!”
She said: “He trusts us implicitly, which allows us to provide him with anything he needs in his golden years. It’s an absolute privilege and joy to care for Cooper.”
Kemper, also the executive director of the shelter, describes the toothless dog as “a happy, demanding, feisty old pup” who never fails to make the team laugh daily.
She said: “Despite the hitch in his step and his advanced arthritis, Cooper still gets around and loves to explore the yard. He even trots a bit when he’s feeling frisky!
The American Kennel Club states that smaller dogs often live longer than larger ones. The average lifespan of a poodle is 12 to 15 years, states the AKC.
Cooper ended up in the shelter’s care last year when his owner unexpectedly passed away. At first, he was up for adoption but now he will spend his golden years in the shelter due to his age and medical conditions. He also spends the weekends at a staff member’s home so he can be monitored.
Kemper told Newsweek: “Just because a dog or cat has some more complex medical issues, doesn’t mean that they can’t enjoy the twilight of their lives.”
Four days ago, Cooper celebrated the huge milestone in style. He started his day with his favorite soupy breakfast followed by a visit from his dog friends while wearing a birthday crown and shirt. An excerpt from the caption said: “Getting a second chance to live his best life in his 20’s!!”
@youngatheartpets Part 3 | Cooper’s 23rd Birthday Party 🎉 One whole year after being rescued, Cooper has a lot to celebrate. 1. Going viral on #tiktok 2. Getting a painful eye removed 3. Being able to be carried a couple steps across the larking lot to the on-site vet whenever he needs it 4. Becoming a #yah_sanctuary dog so that a whole organization of people is always looking out for him 5. Getting a second chance to live his best life in his 20’s!! And so much more! Coop had a fantastic day spent with his human and canine friends, even if he slept through a lot of it. To celebrate honor Cooper turning 23, consider making a $23 donation to help save more super seniors at risk! Link in bio. #yah_cooper #youngatheart #youngatheartpets #seniordog #poodle #adoptioncenter #adoptaseniordog #rescue ♬ dance the night away sped – ⭐️
“That wore him out, so he took a good nap before opening presents!” told Kemper. “His favorite present was a squishy unicorn pet bed. Once recharged, his friends at Young at Heart sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him while he ate dog-safe cupcakes made just for his special diet, gold balloons spelling out his name and age in the background.
“After his birthday snack, Cooper took a bunch of pictures with his human friends, had a ‘party’ in the play yard with his dog friends where they all ran around with party hats on, and then he sacked out in his unicorn bed for the rest of the afternoon. All in all, a very happy 23rd birthday for Cooper!”
The shelter posted another wholesome video of Cooper tucking into his pup-cake.
@youngatheartpetsPart 2 | Cooper devoured his dog-friendly birthday cupcakes after staff and volunteers sang “happy birthday!”🧁 ♬ CAKE – ITZY
Another highlight of his birthday was the initial video going viral on TikTok; the dog received over 59,000 likes and many birthday wishes.
“O my [goodness] God bless him .. I believe it’s all because of the owner this precious boy is still living,” praised one user.
Another user said: “Praying my dog lives this long!! She’s a senior now.”
A third comment said: “He has had so much love – that’s why he has made it 23.”
Update 2/14/24 9:28 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with a new photo and embedded videos.
Blind, Senior Dog Saves Shelter Volunteer From Deadly Rattlesnake: ‘Hero’
A senior shelter dog has been dubbed “a hero” after saving a human volunteer from a potentially dangerous encounter with a snake. The amazing feat was even more incredible because the savior in question is, in fact, blind.
Dan Fishbein was walking with Moogan, a senior dog who is blind as a result of a rare condition. As they strolled the sandy trails around Utah’s Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Fishbein steered Moogan away from obstacles as usual.
“He’s so curious, still smelling the flowers, feeling out his surroundings,” Fishbein said. “I’m always on the lookout to make sure he doesn’t barrel into anything.”
But what Fishbein didn’t notice was a rattlesnake, lying directly on the trail in his path. Suddenly, Moogan pivoted sharply, pulling Fishbein’s attention down—straight to the snake he had been about to step on.
“Moogan turned to the right, so I looked down, and there it was,” Fishbein said. “A rattlesnake, coiled right next to my foot. I gently pulled him away, thanking him. Who would have thought my blind companion would be the one to save me?”
Rattlesnakes are a notable part of the wildlife in Utah, with five species of rattlesnake in the state. They are often found hiding under rocks and in areas where they can hunt for prey such as rodents.
While rattlesnake bites are venomous and potentially dangerous, fatalities are relatively low, especially when medical attention is received quickly after a bite.
Previously a large, playful pup, Moogan loved wide-open spaces and running around exploring. But a year after arriving at Best Friends Animal Society, he began to lose his sight, something that has slowed him down.
Moogan was diagnosed with sudden acquired retinal degeneration (SARD), a rare and mysterious condition with no treatment or cure. Veterinary care slowed the degeneration, but Moogan eventually lost almost all his vision.
“He’s pretty much fully blind, but he navigates his world with a spirit that’s truly inspiring,” says Ben O’Riordan-Tingley, Moogan’s longtime caregiver. “He’s got this instinct for fun—loves his toys, loves people. And now, it seems, he’s got a bit of a nose for danger, too.”
After the close snake encounter, Moogan was given plenty of well-earned treats and cuddles. While his adventures are more leisurely these days, Moogan remains a fixture on the trails, sniffing out any surprises alongside human friends.
“I take a lot of dogs out, and Moogan’s always been special, but after that? He’s something else entirely. I think he’s my guardian angel,” Fishbein said.
