For one shelter volunteer, walking dogs was a way to keep going after losing her own dog, Dakota. Then, in April 2025, a senior dog named Lando arrived at the HSHV shelter where she volunteered.
Lando was 11 at the time, a handsome senior with a gentle way about him. The volunteer started walking him every day.
More than a walk
Day after day, the two of them went out together. She even took him home for short shelter breaks, giving him a taste of life outside the kennel. And every time, the walk ended the same way: Lando went back to the shelter.
How many goodbyes can you say before you realize you do not want to say them anymore?
The decision
For her, the answer came quickly. On May 8, 2025, she adopted Lando. He went home to live with her and her cat, Star.
Lando celebrated his 12th birthday that August. These days, his walks take him to the lake and the park instead of back to a kennel.
Healing, both ways
Lando’s story is a gentle reminder that the bond between a person and a dog can help both of them heal. Sometimes the volunteer walking the dog is being rescued too.
Thinking about adopting a senior pet?
Older dogs and cats are often calm, gentle and already house-trained. If you are curious whether a senior pet could fit your life, our Adopting an Older Pet guides are a good place to start.
Source: This story was originally reported by HSHV. This story is shared by Lando’s adopter on the shelter’s website. We have retold it in our own words.
Images on this page are AI illustrations based on a true story. They do not show the real people or animals.
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