As of: April 5, 2024, 5:06 p.m
By: Sophie Kluß
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After not only her husband but also their dogs died, Johanna Carrington longed for a furry companion - and found one in a surprising way.
Johanna Carrington has been a passionate dog lover her whole life. Growing up in an orphanage in Germany, the American never had the opportunity to have her own dog. It was only much later that she was able to fulfill her most cherished wish together with her husband. But after her last dog Rocky died, things became quiet in the Carrington house - too quiet for the then 100-year-old Johanna.
In her old age, Johanna Carrington once again fulfilled her dream of having a dog
When Carrington told her daughter Debbie that she wanted a dog again, she feared that her mother might be too old for another four-legged friend and that her request might therefore be rejected by the animal shelters. But luckily, one of Debbie's neighbors volunteers for the Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco - and had a brilliant idea.
Some time ago, the eleven-year-old Chihuahua mix dog Gnocchi was taken into care there after he was rescued from a household with 22 dogs. After a long time in the shelter, Gnocchi deserved to be “showered with love and attention,” as
Today
writes. Johanna Carrington finally confidently applied to adopt the fluffy senior.
Two seniors among themselves: Johanna Carrington and her dog “are like bad luck and brimstone”. They spend their twilight years together. © Johanna Carrington/Facebook
“A completely normal proposal – until she notices the woman’s age”
The application ended up in the hands of Alice Ensor, the adoption counselor at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. She initially thought “it was a normal proposal – until she realized the woman’s age,” according to
The Dodo
. “When I first received Johanna’s adoption questionnaire, I was a little surprised,” Ensor told the digital publisher. Turning 100 is definitely a milestone. It's not often "that a centenarian wants to take a new dog home." Ensor knew that Johanna must be a very special dog lover who was looking for a new furry friend before her 101st birthday.
The decision was therefore easy for her. The animal welfare organization wanted “that they could still spend this time together and experience the full joy of their twilight years,” Ensor told
Today
. Life is better with a dog, regardless of whether you are young or old.
Elderly dog mother received loving support during the adoption process
As part of the adoption process, Johanna Carrington's caregiver, Eddie Martinez, offered to take Gnocchi for a daily walk and help Johanna care for him. Finally, Gnocchi's foster parents brought the little four-legged friend to Carrington - he immediately felt at home: "He came to the house as if he had been here before. It was remarkable,” Carrington told
Today
. “He saw me sitting in my chair, jumped up to me and sat on my lap. He made himself very, very comfortable. He was our baby straight away.” So Gnocchi eventually became Gucci, the pride and joy of Johanna, who will soon be 102 years old.
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Since then, we have been playing together, cuddling in our favorite armchair and watching the news on television. Carrington prefers to massage her little darling's back. “I just love him,” she describes the special relationship with her little furry friend to
Today
. “Animals bring so much happiness into our house,” she also enthuses. “It's unbelievable.” Carrington believes pets are the key to a happy, long life.
Pets have a positive effect on the health of seniors
And science backs her up. According to this, pets can have a particularly positive effect on the psyche of older people. The fluffy companions provide company, reduce loneliness and promote socialization. They also give meaning to the lives of seniors. Especially after the loss of a spouse, for example, pets can be a source of support “by relieving stress, encouraging physical activity and even helping with pain management,” as
Today
writes. Older dogs in particular, who are calmer but still physically fit, are ideal for seniors.
“He’s a very soulful little guy,” reveals Alice Ensor. It is balm for the soul to watch the two of them. After Rocky's death, Gucci finally brought joy back into the house, says Debbie Carrington: "When she laughs at how he runs around and does funny things, and when he sleeps on her lap while she's lying in her armchair or sleeps in her bed, then that just makes her very happy.” The two of them are just like bad luck.
Editor's note: This text has already appeared in the past. Many readers were particularly interested in it. That's why we're offering it again.
Johanna will soon be celebrating her 102nd birthday - which she probably has to thank her best animal friend for, as she herself sums it up. It's been a great time with Gucci so far, she told
Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, according to
The Dodo
. “He brings me so much joy! I love it when he sits on my lap and keeps me company. With Gucci I have someone in my life that I can love and care for, and that makes a big difference at my age.”