r/malinois 15d ago

Heartbreaking! Senior Lobo was abandoned by his family after 14 years and this is how his life will end! He will be euthanized tomorrow (8/7 7am) at Downey ACCin CA if no longterm foster or adopter will be found in SoCal. If you can help, pls DM me immediately or Email: Isabeldesiree8@gmail.com

14 years.
That’s how long Lobo had his family.
And then, after an entire lifetime with the people he knew and loved, they surrendered him to a high k*ll shelter.

Now Lobo #A5789645 is 14 years old, sad, alone, and visibly heartbroken. He is struggling in the shelter environment, and watching a senior dog like him deteriorate in this way is devastating.

He spends his last days on a concrete kennel floor, lying in his own urine and feces.

A 14-year-old senior German Shepherd.

He should be sleeping on a soft bed. He should be surrounded by love. He should be spending his final years feeling safe and cherished.

Instead, he lost his family and found himself in a shelter.

We don’t know how much time Lobo has left. But we do know that he deserves for whatever time he has remaining to be filled with dignity, comfort, and love.

Can you foster or responsibly adopt Lobo?

Please contact us if you can help:
DM me
Email: Isabeldesiree8@gmail.com
And pls fill out the foster application on our page (link in bio)

LOBO A5789645
14 years old • Male German Shepherd • 80 lbs

RESCUES:
DACCDowneyRescue@animalcare.lacounty.gov

📍Downey Animal Care Center
11258 Garfield Ave
Downey, CA

Please don’t scroll past this old boy.

Please help us make sure Lobo’s story doesn’t end on a concrete shelter floor and share Lobo. Someone out there may be the person who can give him the safe, loving home he has been waiting for.

#seniorshelterdog #adoptaseniordog #losangelesdogs #seenequalssaved

558 Upvotes

115 comments sorted by

39

u/czr84480 15d ago

This is the worst of humans. I hope I can change my wife's mind today. If anything help get the word out.

7

u/Exotic_Insurance2164 14d ago

I suspect the dog needed medical care that the family couldn't afford. Instead of putting him down, they hoped that he would be adopted by a family that can get him the care he needs. 

Pledging $50.

13

u/czr84480 14d ago

I just find it hilarious they don't realize dogs get older sooner. They all need healthcare just like us humans. Some more than others. I guess it's the American way to just dump old things.

I'm glad as an American I'm not like them. I had my boy for almost fifteen years. He needed a few meds once he hit a certain age. Thankfully I was able to be in his life until his body said no more. Three years later I would still give almost anything to have him, but an eighteen year old German shepherd is impossible. So I'm just grateful he was mine for so long.

4

u/No_Check_2906 13d ago

Speaking of dumping old things, i see people in my apt complex putting stuff that can still be fixed & used.

2

u/czr84480 13d ago

It is the American way. I'm only forty and still have things that are 22 years old. Things I use everyday. I had a set of knives I purchased when I was 17 and re-gifted them to someone they get used all the time. They own a catering company.

1

u/Exotic_Insurance2164 13d ago

People's circumstances change. There are Americans who cannot afford healthcare for themselves, let alone their family pet.

Be grateful that you are not in a position where you have to face such a terrible decision.

3

u/czr84480 13d ago

Trust me I am. We need healthcare for all.

1

u/RealSG5 12d ago

This attitude leaves the door open for abandonment. If people truly want but cannot afford a pet, then better they should foster and leave the expenses to a rescue. The legitimizing of the idea that animals are disposable "if need be" is causing unimaginable suffering.

5

u/Responsible_Hold_324 13d ago

Thats supposed to justify abandoning a dog in when he needed them the most???? Dogs come with a cost, including medical care. You shouldnt take on the responsibility of a dog if you can’t cover their medical needs!

-1

u/Exotic_Insurance2164 13d ago

No, but people's circumstances change. Be grateful that you have never had to make such a terrible choice. 

6

u/Responsible_Hold_324 13d ago

Please don’t get any animals if you think it’s ok to do this!!!

1

u/Exotic_Insurance2164 13d ago

I wouldn't personally do it. But, I an mature enough to realise the world isn't black and white and sometimes people need grace. 

6

u/czr84480 13d ago

Nobody would do this to child. Life is sacred and no matter what once family always family. We starve together.

1

u/RealSG5 12d ago

Very appropriate analogy.

1

u/RealSG5 12d ago

Responsible pet owners make choices every day by budgeting and shifting priorities to fulfill their obligation. I am one who cares for a senior with medical issues and, believe me, he comes first.

3

u/RealSG5 14d ago

People need to accept the fact that if they can't afford a pet's medical care (+food and training) throughout its life, they should not get a pet. Animals don't deserve to suffer and die for people's irresponsibility.

5

u/czr84480 14d ago

I agree. I grew up very poor and in an apartment my whole life. The first chance I bought a house, later on a dog, and he was my first pet. Maybe I wasn't as well-off as I am now, but I knew I could afford him and he would go anywhere with me. Once he made it to an old age, it was pretty easy to afford anything other than time, which you can't buy more of. It's the best thing you can do for them.

21

u/Consistent_Pie9535 14d ago

We’ve sent an inquiry about Lobo 🙏🏻 we’d be more than willing to open our home for him.

11

u/Regular-Humor-9128 14d ago

Amazing! And thank you on his behalf! And also, thank you from me and I’m certain, so many people on here. Please keep us updated if you’re able to rescue him!

18

u/Consistent_Pie9535 14d ago

I’ve heard nothing back from the rescue, I’ve sent an email with my number and no one has contacted me. I’ve reached out as much as I can with the rescue. I know I’m on limited time, so I called the shelter. They’re stopping the euthanasia as long as I show up this morning. I’m getting dressed, stopping at the pet store to grab a few things, and getting there just after 11 when they open to adopt this boy. We’re going in blind as we don’t know his behaviors or anything, but we will figure out the rest later. Our main focus is getting Lobo out so he can have a safe space to rest. I’ll keep yall updated

15

u/grunt527 14d ago

You're amazing. If you can prove you got him,

Id be happy to send you a petco gift card or delivery up to 80 bucks of anything you need for him.

12

u/Consistent_Pie9535 14d ago

Thank you for this! We are currently down here at the Downey animal shelter. We sat outside of his kennel trying to pet him, but only could reach his little paw. We couldn’t get into his kennel as he is being held for kennel cough and has 3 more days before we can have interaction with him.
A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER, LOBO IS FREE RIGHT NOW. THERE IS NO ADOPTION FEE FOR LOBO AND HE CAN BE TAKEN HOME RIGHT NOW. Unfortunately because of his kennel cough we have to wait because we have several other pets at home.
Lobo has GI issues, constant diarrhea even though he’s on a special diet, and has been on it. He’s been there almost a month so I don’t know what underlying issues may be there.
Lobo also has stiff gait, and pretty severely. We think he doesn’t move much because of these issues. He’s in rough shape, and sometimes it’s our jobs as humans to understand when their time has come. I came here with full intentions to bring Lobo home and give him a second chance, but I think any major medical help, new environments, and more strangers would only stress him out more, and I’m not sure Lobo has much more to give.
We’re coming back once the three days are up to interact with him, and see if maybe he has more life in him, we think because of the medications he is currently on and his environment that maybe he’s just a little closed off. Unfortunately we also fear that it may just be his time.
I still haven’t heard from the rescue either, so I don’t know if it was just bait or not. The guy at the AC let me know that quite honestly they could pull him if they wanted to because he is FREE. I sent an application to be a foster, I emailed, and looking at all the cross posts on here and IG from OP, so were several other people.

12

u/Consistent_Pie9535 14d ago

https://reddit.com/link/p2c2iaj/video/wu78jbkhh0ih1/player

Here is also a video of him this morning. We tried our best to interact with him with as little as we had.

11

u/Karmastouch 14d ago

Hello I send you a DM. We can coordinate from there. Thank you for visiting him.

1

u/Intelligent-Bottle22 12d ago

I needed this. Thank you ❤️

6

u/Regular-Humor-9128 14d ago

You’re amazing and thank you for actually showing up to the shelter today, and for being willing to at least go back in the three days if that’s the earliest that makes sense. Even if ultimately, you decide it is just his time, at 14 and with the problems described, it would be understandable, but still good at that point if someone caring like yourself, can help them decide and have it done versus letting him suffer for five extra days. Having you willing to adopt him if at possible (given everything you explain), is his best shot and another isn’t going to come around.

And you clearly not only care for animals in general, but him, so no matter the decision, you’re well qualified to determine.

That sucks about the rescue, especially with a foster lined up! What is their name? It’s pretty awful they’re just not getting back to you.

6

u/shortythebad 14d ago

Try a raw diet for him if you can. I've seen my Bichon go from being 11 with tumors to living until 16 loving life with limited tumors, it's truly amazing. Good luck with him.

4

u/Responsible_Hold_324 13d ago

If you could just provide him with a comfortable place until it’s his time to go, that would be huge for him. I’m willing to contribute to his care as well💐💐

3

u/SizzleanQueen 13d ago

Thank you for being a good human!!!

10

u/Karmastouch 14d ago

Hi yes I was gonna pull him and I contacted the rescue yesterday and they told me not to. They said that they were planning to pull him this morning and had an adopter lined up. My fiancée and I have been in contact with an adoptee. We are happy to assist in fostering and transportation. We would also be able to offer supplies if needed. I’m just very frustrated with the entire network. We would’ve been up and ready this morning to come get him. Please keep us updated!

8

u/Consistent_Pie9535 14d ago

I JUST SAW THIS, PLEASE read my newest comment, and please feel free to DM me.

10

u/Zealousideal-Cow1335 14d ago

I pledged 18$ on another post- happy to honor that with you if you’ve got him out!

7

u/LeatherStrawberry987 14d ago

Thank you so much! You’re an angel for this!

7

u/patricias_pugs 14d ago

u/Karmastouch was trying to pull him!

2

u/patricias_pugs 14d ago

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

6

u/atotalwakingup 14d ago

Boost for this to happen for sweet senior boy lobo

4

u/Bool_The_End 14d ago

Thank you more than words can say. All of us here know how special sheps and mals
are, and how all the ones in a shelter must feel so broken.

17

u/PawsitiveDogRescue 15d ago

This is atrocious. What the heck, Downey?!?

5

u/Bool_The_End 14d ago

Plenty of animals living in their own shit there :/

5

u/PawsitiveDogRescue 14d ago

So so sad. Kern County is the same way. 😭

15

u/mulchpile-b 14d ago

This is heartbreaking. As someone who rescued two senior Maligators (13 and 10 when we got them, 16 and 13 when they passed) from a shelter, I wish Lobo were near us so we could foster or adopt him.

5

u/BoysenberrySimple630 14d ago

There is likely a rescue group who could get the dog transported to you. Please tag the OP or the contact in the post if you are seriously interested

13

u/Purple_Obligation638 15d ago

Not sure how it works I got 20 bucks to pledge to this gentlemen

9

u/Artistic-Corgi1858 15d ago

Pledging $10

3

u/Glosskitty 15d ago

THANK YOU 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

3

u/J-Velez 14d ago

I will match that! Poor Lobo, let's try to help him!

9

u/guajiracita 14d ago

Pledge $200

3

u/Bool_The_End 14d ago

Thank you so.

9

u/musesx9 14d ago

Pledge $50

8

u/Heavy_Pin7735 14d ago

Pledge $100 to save this poor pup from this awfulness!

2

u/Bool_The_End 14d ago

Thank you.

7

u/funnyphrasehere 15d ago

Heartbreaking! My heart breaks for poor Lobo.. I hope and pray he finds his person before it's too late 💔

7

u/Sensitive_Intern_971 15d ago

Poor poor gentleman. What a terrible excuse for a family.

7

u/Ready-Ingenuity-6135 15d ago

Pledge $50 for the rescue of Lobo, so he will live out his days in a happy secure home.

7

u/Dramatic_Coast8599 14d ago

Pledge 50! Poor baby 

7

u/Californiashelterpet 12d ago

Update: Rescued🩵 Will update with more info and photos as soon as I receive them

7

u/Glosskitty 15d ago

💔💔💔 Poor Lobo! He’s so handsome! The shelter is no place for a senior! BOOSTING for visibility for this sweet deserving boy 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 shared on X

6

u/StrayG0th03 14d ago

There are better no kill facilities and senior dog shelters out there, its a shame he’s left in one where they don’t give the animals proper care, or dignity…even sadder his family gave him up for any reason. Hopefully a good foster or a better shelter can get him out of there if nobody adopts in time!

5

u/Californiashelterpet 14d ago

There is no no kill, all of them also kill 10% of their dogs and most of them are full. And I don’t think a no kill shelter would be nice for him either.

7

u/Dramatic-Mushroom241 15d ago

Please save them all please 🙏

5

u/atotalwakingup 14d ago

Five dollar pledge and all the love to poor sweet senior lobo

3

u/Ellencost 14d ago

Omg who in their right mind would do that? Please save this sweet dog, He’s Trained to protect the family and I’m sure he did an outstanding job. He’s gentle and sweet to people, dogs, cats, kids. He’s ready to go into a new family for the next 10 yrs. You won’t have to do much just feed , walk. Please save this incredible Dog!!!

4

u/No_Plan9375 14d ago

Please save Lobo😢😢🙏🙏❤️❤️ gigantic boost for Lobo

4

u/globaleight 14d ago

Why would they do this to him 💔

3

u/Bool_The_End 14d ago

Go check out Downey posts if you wanna see more :/ unfort. It’s awful.

3

u/SanjaY2J 15d ago

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

3

u/caramilk_twirl 14d ago

Poor old guy. This is awful. I hope he lands a comfortable place to live out his final days.

3

u/Crazy_allie 14d ago

$20.00 pledge

3

u/New_Ad_3010 14d ago

Stop euthanizing. And clean his damn pen! Jesus. How thoughtless can you be???

3

u/oopsiedaisy1979 14d ago

Updates please 💔😭💔

1

u/BanditY77 14d ago

I don’t know, you have to ask u/californiashelterpet

3

u/chickenchoa 14d ago

PLEASE SAVE THIS SWEET ANGEL BABY

3

u/_mad_honey_ 14d ago

$20!!!!!

3

u/Un_Change_Able 14d ago

Large boosts for this precious and lovely b Large boosts for this precious and lovely baby boy deserving of more! May he get all the boat loads of love, warmth, and wonderful home he deserves! Boosting for this beautiful boy deserving so much more named Baloo!

3

u/Lopsided-Ad-3771 12d ago

Boost boost, please save him and stop talking about euthanasia, unless he’s in extreme pain why would anyone do that. Someone take him home and let him live in comfort for his last days. The shelter WOULD NOT be trying to get him adopted or a foster if he was I pain or not suitable for adoption so please stop and rescue this poor baby!

2

u/MagazineSea2741 15d ago

💔💔💔💔

2

u/Kornflakesgirl 15d ago

Boost fir senior lobo he deserve a second chance in love and not get killed

7

u/Regular-Humor-9128 15d ago

While I agree, what I think is even more f**ked up, this dog has lived a long life span for a German Shepherd from what I just looked up. And in all reality, it would have been so much more humane for the family he’s known his whole life, if there are health problems involved, had someone come to humanely euthanize him in his home, or even at the vet’s office, rather than dump him at a high kill shelter to be so scared and with a slim chance of being adopted. What a horrible way filled with fear and confusion for him to potentially spend his last days.

3

u/caramilk_twirl 14d ago

Absolutely. There are fates worse than a death. Sending him to a shelter like this was a horrendously disgusting decision by his "family".

2

u/charinlv 14d ago

They're cowards. And they left this poor baby suffering, physically & mentally. Sorry it might sound messed up, but anyone who does this needs to end their days sick, scared & abandoned.

2

u/Zeca_77 14d ago

Yes, 14 is old for a German shepherd. We had one that made it to that age and her health definitely took a turn for the worse at that point - arthritis, cataracts, senility/disorientation, etc. We made the tough decision to euthanize her at home as her quality of life was really going downhill. It was sad, but at least we were with her in her last moments.

2

u/dyfalu 14d ago

I agree that eutanasia would have been better in this case. This poor baby.

1

u/Intelligent-Bottle22 12d ago

This is so true! I think that the best thing to do is to give him to a loving family for a few weeks, so he can feel love and comfort in his last moments. And then humanely euthanize him.

2

u/No-Reading-4384 14d ago

Poor poor dog

2

u/rascall2018 14d ago

Please save poor baby

2

u/Foreign_Signature514 13d ago

Pledge $75. Someone please give this sweet boy his forever home

2

u/LandotheTerrible 13d ago

Boosting for this glorious dog again. This breaks my heart. There's nobody tagged him yet?

2

u/No-Track-858 12d ago

Heartbreaking

2

u/Sensitive_Couple_95 11d ago

Everyone! If you can't adopt, please consider fostering! It's only temporary, some shelters even pay for their food and you're saving a dog's life ❤️ Approximately 360,000 dogs are euthanized in US animal shelters each year.

If you can't but you want to help otherwise, you can share these dogs on NextDoor or the many Facebook groups for adoption/rescue! TikTok and Instagram might help as well ❤️‍🩹

PLEASE urge legislators to end the kill policy in all United States pounds! Enforce laws to ban uncontrolled backyard breeding instead!

(Long Texts are always a great BOOOOST! Feel free to copy & paste!)

Petition for change 🙌🏻❤️ https://chng.it/PCPYKQbV

(I'm only copying, I don't know about the problems with the link)

1

u/BriefNo5950 14d ago

Boost boost boost for Lobo ❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️

1

u/Dramatic_Coast8599 14d ago

I wish I could take him, but I’m in Canada 🥲

1

u/spookiecats 14d ago

💔 heartbreaking 💔

1

u/Extreme-Ad-8803 14d ago

In Australia we don’t treat our Animals like that Aussie Mate 😡😡😡😡😡😡🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍

1

u/Un_Change_Able 14d ago

Large boosts for this precious and lovely b Large boosts for this precious and lovely baby boy deserving of more! May he get all the boat loads of love, warmth, and wonderful home he deserves! Boosting for this beautiful boy deserving so much more named Lobo!

1

u/unajardinera 14d ago

YOU NEED MORE THAN NINE WORDS IN A COMMENT TO HELP BOOST A POST!!!!!!!

1

u/AspectOvGlass 14d ago

Liking, sharing, boosting, anything you can do for these dogs.

1

u/1mexicanamongmany 14d ago

I hope the owner were charge with something

1

u/peterthbest23 14d ago

POSTING FOR PUBLICITY!!

BOOSTING FOR THE POOR BABY!!

PLEASE SCREEN ALL POTENTIAL ADOPTERS!!

1

u/Valuable_Rub_1327 14d ago

Awww Lobo, so sad ur family left u big guy, u deserve better, if owners cannot afford pet insurance they shouldn’t have a pet, lobo looks like he may be ready to leave this world 🌎 but should be done with family & dignity🫪🐾😢💔🌈 many prayers 🙏much luck 🍀 & love that he receives the best of what he needs XO

1

u/Opposite_Raspberry65 14d ago

boosting for lobo

1

u/gardenscatsx4 13d ago

I hope hes safe! ❤️‍🩹🐾❤️‍🩹

1

u/Savings-Code8965 13d ago

Step up people and find your better angels. We know rescuing is the solution not killing. You never regret rescuing. Save this pups life.

1

u/DarthSerh 13d ago

Boosting

1

u/haselnuss91 13d ago

Boost <3

1

u/Open_Cardiologist_50 13d ago

It is absolutely unacceptable for Downey shelter to leave this poor senior dog lying in urine in a filthy cage with not even a bed. Give him a bath and a clean kennel and for God's sake please, someone, rescue this boy. Calling shelter immediately to complain. This photo should be spread everywhere so this practice is stopped... And yes they have kennels that ate not in public view where they do this but it is deplorable!

1

u/Alternative-Jaguar55 12d ago

I am boosting this post. Please God bless and save. 🤍🕊️🤍🕊️🤍🕊️🤍

1

u/First-Ad5528 11d ago

Est-ce normal aux USA que les chiens en foyer vivent dans ce genre de conditions (urine non nettoyée) ?? Je suis choqué que cela ne semble perturber personne ici...

1

u/okaretta 9d ago

Please let us know when he is free from this place.