Senior Golden Retriever Waiting To Be Adopted After 5 People ‘Backed Out’

It’s not every day that you see a golden retriever waiting to be adopted, but after being used for breeding, 9-year-old India was taken to a shelter in August 2023 when she could no longer serve her purpose.

India was incredibly underweight and nervous when she was taken in, alongside two of her puppies. Caroline Hills from Saving Hope Rescue in Fort Worth, Texas, told Newsweek that India spent all of her time outside, so “it was very clear that her interaction with humans was minimal.”

It was decided that India would be best suited by staying with at a foster home until an owner came forward, so she has been staying with Jessica Fahrner ever since.

Golden retrievers have long been a favorite among dog lovers, with the American Kennel Club ranking them as the nation’s third favorite breed in 2022. But despite being highly sought after, India is still waiting for her forever home after five prospective owners each backed out at the last minute.

Hills said: “Due to India’s breed, she has had a lot of interest, but there were various reasons that people backed out on adopting or even meeting her. Reasons ranged from not being ready for a new dog after the loss of another, a sudden change in work schedules, and being concerned about the energy level of their current dog.

“No one has come out to directly say her age is a deterrent, but in some ways, it feels like not all aspects of India have been considered when originally applying for this sweet girl. Everyone wants a golden retriever, but do they want the senior golden? We love all of our adopters and supporters, and our main goal is to find the perfect home for India.”

While India may be a senior dog, Hills remains hopeful that a loving owner will turn up soon.

On October 26, Saving Hope Rescue shared a picture of India on their Facebook page to show how the senior golden refuses to stop smiling, even after everything she’s been through. The shelter asked for potential adopters to give her “a loving home for her golden years,” particularly with an owner who will be home frequently, as company is hugely important.

While it took the senior golden several weeks to feel comfortable around people, she is slowly growing in confidence and beginning to learn that humans can be good after all. Rather than being scared of people, India is now more than happy to receive pets from her foster family as she’s developed “a new lease of life.”

Hills continued: “When Jessica got India home, she wouldn’t come out of her crate. The only thing that didn’t scare India was Jessica’s personal dogs. They would actually sleep next to her crate, trying to comfort India. It took her about a month to start coming out of her kennel to ask for pets and love from her foster family.

“India has a sweet and tender heart. She is still active for her age and loves to play outside in the morning with her foster’s personal dogs. She loves the neighborhood kids and will sit next to them for pets and will gently paw at them for more when they stop.”

In just a matter of days, the Facebook post about India has received over 600 reactions and more than 100 comments. Many people shared their hope that she will find a loving home soon, while others said that they’d love to take her.

One comment reads: “Hope the beautiful dog can find a loving family.”

While another Facebook user responded: “Ooh I love her. Goldens are the absolute best dogs. Praying she finds the perfect home.”

“I’ve just submitted an application as well! Would love to meet this sweet girl and see if she is the perfect fit with our family, like she sounds,” commented another person.

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