Nineteen years old and happy, Annie the dog!
But sadly, it wasn’t always like that. The elderly Labrador retriever mix was turned over to a Dallas Animal Services shelter in the summer by his former owner. Veterinarians said Annie had a month barely to live when she came to the hospital frail and ill.
Dallas Animal Services requested animal lovers to think about fostering Annie on social media to ensure the dog’s final month was full of affection.
The moment Lauren Siler saw Annie’s post from Dallas Animal Services, the business analyst “knew I wanted to find out how to acquire her,” she tells PEOPLE.
Inquiries regarding fostering the elderly dog were made to Dallas Animal Services by Siler and her friend Lisa Flores. The pair were led to The Pawerful Rescue, which had taken over Annie’s care, by the shelter.
When Siler and Flores submitted their request for Annie’s foster care to the Pawerful Rescue, they were “extremely honest about Annie’s illness and that the vets projected we would have a month with her,” according to Siler.
Siler and Flores weren’t alarmed by Annie’s condensed timetable. The pals decided to nurture the Lab mix and give “her the best damned month of her life” after becoming friends five years ago while working at the same elementary school. To make sure Annie’s days were filled with enjoyment, love, and comfort, Siler and Flores made a bucket list for the dog.
The initial predictions of Annie’s veterinarian have been far exceeded. The dog, whose expected lifespan ended in June, is still enjoying her adventures with her foster family.
Annie enjoys napping, snoring, taking bathroom breaks, receiving mail, and marking things off her bucket list.
