Tears as Owner of Senior Dog Shares Heartbreaking Change to Their Routine

A pet owner has recently shared how age has affected her routine with her senior dog as mobility increasingly becomes an issue along with hearing and sight,

Judith Verdouw, 42, posted a heartbreaking video captioned: "When the tables have been turned." The clip has amassed 550,200 views and more than 31,000 likes.

Verdouw told Newsweek: "The fact that my dog is getting older is part of the circle of life. But she still has the spirit of a puppy!"

But during the clip, it looks like Sparky, the chihuahua and Maltese mix, is enjoying some downtime. The footage shows Verdouw pushing a door open and pointing the camera to a small dog sleeping on the couch. The canine doesn't acknowledge her presence until Verdouw, from Rotterdam, Netherlands, strokes her ears.

The on-screen text explains: "For 14 years, she used to hear me coming home from far away." Now, the dog is hard of hearing but that doesn't stop her from showing love and affection when she sees her owner.

Tips for Owners of Senior Dogs

The American Kennel Club has provided tips that will help owners keep their old dog happy.

1. Consider slower strolls
2. Provide lots of enrichment opportunities to keep their mind sharp.
3. Make your home accessible as dogs can suffer from issues like arthritis, stiff joints, or other painful conditions.
4. Provide a high-quality bed and a heating pad to soothe stiffness.
5. Avoid walks in extreme weather conditions as senior dogs can't tolerate the same temperatures as young ones.
6. Adjust their diet as older dogs are less active therefore require less calories.
7. Extra grooming sessions may be needed as they aren't able to reach all of the places they used to.

Senior dogs are frequently overlooked in animal shelters, but they shouldn't be because for many canines, age is just a number. They may not be as agile as they once were, but they still make excellent pets, according to veterinarian Amanda Takiguchi.

Takiguchi previously told Newsweek that "owning a pet in old age can greatly benefit our emotional, mental and physical well-being because a pet can provide incredible companionship and encourage more regular physical activity."

What Do the Comments Say?

The viral video has received more than 1,500 comments, and some users have been reduced to tears. To watch the video, click here.

One comment with over 430 likes said: "This made me cry."

"She doesn't look fourteen. Obviously been well loved and cared for. Beautiful dog!" complimented another.

Another said: "The hard reality of loving a dog, knowing your soulmate will leave you some day."

"Made me cry too, a love so pure and unconditional is so very precious and time goes too fast. Dogs are THE BEST," said another user.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.

Update 11/29/23, 3:59 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from the OP, Julie, and the amount of views and likes has been updated.