03/09/2026
💛 LOOKING FOR A VERY SPECIAL FOREVER HOME FOR JACK — AND A STORY I HOPE PEOPLE WILL READ 💛
This beautiful old boy is Jack, an 11-year-old Labrador × Kelpie, and his story is one I really want to share.
Sadly, Jack’s owner recently passed away.
At 11 years old, after spending his life knowing his person, his home and his routine, Jack suddenly found himself in a shelter.
And Jack simply shut down.
The noise, the strange environment, unfamiliar people and everything he had ever known suddenly being gone was completely overwhelming for him.
I have now taken Jack into my care.
He is a little nervous and understandably lost, but underneath it all he is such a soft-hearted old boy. ❤️ He still enjoys playing with his ball, loves companionship and is slowly beginning to settle.
Jack is on joint medication and, at his age, he certainly doesn’t need anything complicated from life. He just needs somewhere peaceful, comfortable and loving where he can spend however much time he has left — whether that is months or hopefully a few more wonderful years.
Jack has only been used to living with one other dog, so being here with my number of dogs is difficult for him.
I was prepared to give Jack a forever home here, and I am still prepared to do that if necessary. He will not be moved on just for the sake of finding him somewhere to go.
I will only let Jack leave if I find a home where I genuinely believe he will be happier and can settle for the rest of his life.
❤️ But Jack’s story is also why I want to explain something about the way I place my own dogs.
People sometimes wonder why I ask so many questions when someone applies for one of my puppies or retired dogs.
One of the questions I ask is age.
It is a question I honestly hate asking, because I know it can feel very personal, and I certainly don’t believe that reaching your senior years means you shouldn’t have the companionship of a dog.
In fact, I think dogs can be absolutely wonderful companions as we get older.
But the age of the dog matters too.
Jack’s owner was approximately 66 when he got Jack. I have since been very grateful to speak with his daughter and learn more about Jack and the life he had.
His owner was fit and healthy. He could walk Jack, care for him and give him everything he needed.
It is the same thing I often hear when someone in their senior years applies to me for an 8-week-old puppy:
“I’m fit.”
“I’m healthy.”
“I walk every day.”
“I’ve always had dogs.”
And I absolutely believe them.
But an 8-week-old puppy could still be here 12, 13, 14 or even 15 years from now.
None of us knows what tomorrow holds.
Jack’s family had even discussed what would happen if something happened to his owner. His daughter had said she would take Jack.
But when that day unfortunately came, circumstances meant she was unable to do so.
That isn’t about blaming anybody. Sometimes life simply doesn’t go according to the plans we make.
And Jack ended up in a shelter.
💔 How do you explain that to an 11-year-old dog?
How do you explain why his person hasn’t come back?
How do you explain why his home has disappeared?
How do you explain why everything he has known for most of his life suddenly changed?
You can’t.
All Jack knows is that his whole world disappeared.
This is why I am so particular about where my puppies and my retired dogs go.
When I say I am looking for a forever home, I genuinely mean for the lifetime of that dog.
It isn’t because I want to discriminate against somebody because of their age. It isn’t because I think senior people aren’t capable of loving or caring for a dog.
Quite the opposite.
But I do encourage people in their senior years to consider an older dog rather than automatically choosing a puppy.
There are so many beautiful older dogs who still have enormous amounts of love and companionship to give. ❤️
A 7, 8, 9 or 10-year-old dog may be the perfect companion for someone who doesn’t need the chaos of puppyhood but still wants that beautiful relationship and companionship a dog brings.
And somewhere out there, I hope there is someone who is just right for Jack.
🏡 JACK’S SPECIAL HOME
I am looking for a quiet, loving home where Jack can simply be someone’s companion.
Someone who understands that he has been through a huge change and may need a little patience while he learns that he is safe again.
Someone who might enjoy throwing his ball for him, having him beside them and giving this beautiful old gentleman the security and love he deserves for the rest of his days.
I would prefer a quieter home without lots of dogs, as that is what Jack has been accustomed to.
There will be no rushing this decision. Jack has already lost enough.
If the right home doesn’t come along, Jack has a home here with me for the rest of his life.
But if there is someone out there who can give him the peaceful, one-on-one life he is used to, I would love to hear from you.
📧 Genuine enquiries:
[email protected]
💛 One last thing — please don’t apply for Jack simply because you feel sorry for him.
Jack doesn’t need someone to rescue him out of sympathy. He is safe with me and he has a home here for as long as he needs one.
What I want is someone who is genuinely looking for a companion and reads Jack’s story and thinks, “Jack could really fit into my life.”
Maybe you’ve been thinking about getting an older dog. Maybe you’re looking for some company, a mate to potter around with, go for gentle walks with, throw a ball for and have curled up beside you at the end of the day.
I want someone who feels that Jack could fill that special spot in their life, just as much as they could fill that spot in his. ❤️
Please feel free to share Jack’s story. Even if his story helps just one person think about not only who will care for their dog tomorrow, but who will be there for them 10 or 15 years from now, then sharing his story has been worthwhile.
This isn’t about finding Jack a home.
It’s about finding Jack the right home.
💛 Jack didn’t ask for his world to change.
Now he deserves for his next home to truly be his last. 🐾❤️
We are Located near Dubbo
