A senior dog who found her forever family at the age of 12 is finally thriving, and her golden years look set to be her best yet.
Willow the Staffordshire bull terrier may be 12 years old, but she has proven that it is never too late to start a new chapter. However, hers isn’t your typical adoption story, as Willow didn’t come from a shelter or rescue organization.
Instead, her new owner Jessica Parfitt told Newsweek that Willow belonged to her neighbor but she “kept turning up outside” and would scratch at the door endlessly. Each time, Parfitt, 21, and her family let Willow inside, and then the dog just became a permanent fixture.
“Eventually, we let her in, and she essentially never left,” Parfitt said. “She used to go back to see her old owners occasionally, but she has been with us for so long now and she’s so happy. We also have three other dogs who came from the RSPCA, who she loves being with.”
Indeed, Parfitt, from Wales, in the U.K, joked that the dogs love being “elderly ladies” together.
It didn’t take long for Willow to make her mark on her new family. She bonded with them all immediately as they fell for her gentle and loving temperament.
As soon as the family adopted Willow, Parfitt said it felt like she was “the missing piece of the family.”
Of course, Willow is always free to go back to her old home, but she never seems to want to. She became integral to her new family and loves all the home comforts.
Parfitt shared Willow’s unusual adoption journey on TikTok (@jesspfitt) and it has melted hearts online. In just a matter of days, the video has generated over 63,500 views and more than 10,200 likes on TikTok at the time of writing.
The TikTok slideshow includes a selection of images of Willow being embraced by her new family, with the caption adding that they “love her so much.”
Given her senior age, Willow has developed a lump on her leg, and her eyes are starting to fog over. But Parfitt told Newsweek that the dog is “healthy and sprightly” for the most part.
“We couldn’t love Willow more if we tried; we can’t imagine life without her now and are so happy she is living out her senior years with us,” Parfitt said.
She continued: “I would like to encourage anyone to rescue rather than buy dogs. We may not have got Willow from one, but all our other pets are rescues, and there are so many other loving dogs like Willow waiting for the homes. Also, look out for the elderly ones who need a special place to live out their winter years.”
Willow’s story has captured plenty of attention online, leading to more than 200 comments on the adorable TikTok post. Internet users can’t get enough of how happy Willow looks in her new home, and they are so glad she is being pampered in all the right ways.
One comment reads: “I’m not surprised everyone fell in love. Staffies are the best most loving dogs.”
Another TikTok user wrote: “She’s just a little girl, gone to a beautiful home where she’s treasured.”
One person replied: “Gorgeous girl who deserves this in her winter years.”
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