Two golden oldies, Ouma and Ounooi, found their forever home after years in the shelter. The senior dogs can at last enjoy their sunset years in a home of their own, side-by-side.
Vaalbank, South Africa (09 April 2025) — Golden oldies Ouma and Ounooi spent years at the Wetnose Animal Rescue Centre’s shelter based on a plot in Vaalbank.
Ouma is 13 years old (well past retirement age for a dog), while Ounooi is eight and no spring chicken herself.
Each came to the shelter in their own way. Ouma was part of a big rescue that consisted of more than 200 dogs, while Ounooi was surrendered as a younger dog with pups (their owner could not afford to take care of the pooch family).
Regardless of how the golden oldies arrived at Wetnose, the sad similarity for each dog was that a lengthy wait at the shelter (one spanning years) would ensue.
Ounooi
Ouma
Week after week, Ouma and Ounooi would sit patiently and watch as the younger dogs’ tails wagged with glee at the news that they’d been chosen to become part of a family. This, unfortunately, is the nature of shelter life for senior dogs— most people want companions that will be with them for much longer. Rarer is the consideration that adopting an animal isn’t always about what you want, but what another life needs.
Then came last weekend when everything changed for the senior gals.
For the first time, it was them, both of them, who’d be leashed up and told they were going home. And not just any home—one they’d share together. And, they also got a new brother to keep them on their toes, thanks to a puppy named Parker, who was also adopted from the shelter. These seniors will now have ample space to stretch their legs, new friends (rumour has it there are a few pigs who’ve just been waiting for play pals), cozy beds and of course, each other.
“Senior dogs are so often overlooked,” reflect the Wetnose Animal Rescue Centre. “What people don’t realise is how deeply these dogs love. How grateful they are for every cuddle, every treat, every moment.”
If this story warmed your heart to any degree, consider it the next time you head to a shelter or give advice to a friend that’s looking to adopt an animal. The sunset years are shorter. But sometimes, they mean the most.
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