Senior Chihuahua Abandoned at Shelter, Millennial Woman Decides To Step In

Senior dogs often get overlooked by potential adopters, however, one millennial woman has been making it her mission to give these golden-age fur babies a memorable last few years.

Sarah Travers, 28, is no stranger to adopting senior dogs. She’s been doing it for the last five years. She told Newsweek via TikTok that she loves giving these seniors a “peaceful final journey,” one that includes endless love and good medical care.

“I actually adopted a Doberman with cancer in April,” Travers said. “Her name was Delilah. She passed in early October. And I told her before she passed if she wanted to send me another senior to send me a Chihuahua, and next thing I know, a friend called me two weeks later about a 16-year-old Chihuahua that was surrendered to the shelter.”

Her November 5 TikTok video posted to the account @saraheliztrav explained that this Chihuahua, Bam Bam, was brought to the animal shelter by the only family he had ever known. For 16 years he lived with that family, and then out of the blue, his life turned upside down. He became another one of the millions of dogs entering shelters yearly.

Travers wrote in the comment section that the family surrendered Bam Bam because “they had a lot going on and didn’t have the time anymore.”

Given his age and health problems, it might have taken time for Bam Bam to get adopted. Thankfully, Travers didn’t care about either. She knew Bam Bam needed the best home to live out his golden years and for someone to help him with his health problems.

“He has a small mass on his side, some moderate dental disease and potentially some heart issues,” she said. “So he’ll be checked out thoroughly by our vet team and we will formulate a plan to get him healthy.”

Now, thanks to Travers, he’s living life like royalty. The clip shows him as a passenger princess sporting a fancy jacket on the way to get a pup cup. And while at home, his giant smile lights up the room. He knows he was saved.

Travers quickly learned that age is just a number because Bam Bam, who she now calls Louie Bam Bam, is a “spunky active boy.”

“He loves other dogs, being as close to me and his dad as possible, sleeping on dog beds, loves to go for walks,” she said. “[We] just went on a 45-minute trail walk a few days ago.”

Touched by her selfless act of adopting a senior dog, the TikTok clip amassed over 277,800 views and 51,700 likes as of Wednesday. People flooded the comment section with their appreciation.

“That’s a spry 16-year-old! Thank you for grabbing him up,” said a viewer.

“Sweet baby has a brand new life I’m so happy for you both!” another added.

One person chimed in: “There is nothing like the love of a senior dog.”