Jill Paukstis, a rescuer in Chicago, Illinois, saw a senior dog’s picture on Facebook. The 11-year-old dog named Poe was sitting in a kennel at an open-access shelter. Poe’s picture got Jill’s attention because she looked like she was still smiling despite the sad look in her eyes.
Jill decided to rescue and foster her. She did not know much about Poe’s history except that she was abandoned when she was about 10 years old. Poe flinched when she touched her, and it broke her heart.
The whole family thought that she would be a hospice foster. Jill did not expect much from her since she was already old. She seemed to be achy when walking, and she was not interested in interacting with other dogs. She only watched Jill’s two dogs, Finn and Penny, play with their toys.
Jill took Poe along with Finn and Penny to daycare twice a week where they got to learn how to socialize. Poe did not exactly play around with the other dogs, but she tried to keep them under control. She had a very motherly instinct that Finn and Penny got to experience first-hand when she cleaned their ears in the morning.
Poe surprised everyone when she started to be enthusiastic about her daily activities. She was the first to go out in the morning and also the first one to come forward for dinner. She was still active and could keep up with Finn and Penny. Jill knew then that Poe felt great and seemed to be making up for the lost time.
Almost nine years later, Poe continued to bring happiness to the family with her infectious smile. She thrived because of the love and the homemade meals that she received. A loving family was all the reason she needed to go on living.
Source: The Dodo via YouTube
