Pet Owner Reveals Secret Behind Senior Rescue Dog's 'Forever Puppy Face'

A pet owner says she is constantly getting questions about her senior rescue dog's youthful looks.

Isabelle Mann of New York City adopted 9-year-old Ziggy in June. Senior dogs can often struggle to be adopted, as many prospective adopters prefer puppies.

A 2015 study by Priceonomics indicated the struggles faced by senior dogs. Using data compiled from the website Petfinder, the study found that while 95 percent of puppies on the site ended up finding new homes, only 68 percent of senior dogs were adopted.

Mann was different, though. "When I started looking into dog adoption, I only considered adult or senior dogs because with my busy lifestyle I could not give a puppy the time they deserve and need to succeed," she told Newsweek. "I ended up with a senior dog that looks like a puppy but acts his age, so I truly got the best of both worlds."

Mann highlighted Ziggy's youthful looks in a video posted to TikTok celebrating his "forever puppy face," in her words.

Ziggy was originally surrendered to a shelter in Texas earlier this year. He was underweight and suffering from joint pain when he first arrived.

"He has a thyroid issue that was untreated. It caused his fur to stop growing on his ears and tail," Mann said. "At his rescue and with his foster family, he began medication for this. He also seemed to lack dental care in his previous home. When they got him he had to have 22 teeth removed. He has 17 left."

Despite these setbacks, Ziggy has found a new lease on life since Mann adopted him and is particularly popular when they go for walks in the park.

"I end up getting lots of questions about him on the street," Mann said. "Almost everyone assumes he is a puppy. Some even refuse to believe me when I tell them otherwise. Or they assume if he is not a puppy, he must still be very young."

Mann said that Ziggy's appearance seems to elicit a whole range of responses and that his presence has made her come out of her shell more in public.

"A lot of people think he is a German shepherd puppy at first. Others tell me he looks like a stuffed animal," she said. "Even though I am an introvert, we end up talking to tons of people on the street because of his unique and adorable looks."

Mann attributes Ziggy's age-defying youthfulness to his mixed breed status, the medication he takes and the fact that he's got the kind of bubbly personality you associate with a younger dog.

"I think his puppy looks come from the inside out," she said. "He is on special food and medication for his thyroid issue. It has helped his fur grow back soft and fluffy. I also think his very mixed breed DNA somehow just came together to create the perfect dog."

Mann is also quietly pleased when people compliment Ziggy's appearance since she grooms him herself. "Because he is so mixed, I don't have a classic look for his breed to model his grooms after," she said. "I try to follow his natural shape."

Ultimately, she's just happy enjoying the company, comfort and energy that Ziggy brings to her life. "He is just the sweetest dog," she said.

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