When you think about dogs hitting milestones, celebrating a 25th birthday probably seems impossible. Most dogs live somewhere between ten and fifteen years, maybe a bit longer if they’re lucky. Yet here we are, witnessing something truly extraordinary.
There’s a small rat terrier named Henry who’s defying every expectation and rewriting what we thought we knew about canine longevity. His story isn’t just about surviving against the odds. It’s about turning a difficult past into a purposeful mission that could change the lives of countless senior rescue dogs across the country.
A Rescue Story That Started with Desperation
Lori Larson of Max’s Animal Rescue met Henry the dog in January 2010, when the rat terrier was 9 years old and one of 29 dogs stuck in unhealthy conditions at an overwhelmed backyard breeder. Larson tells PEOPLE recalls she rushed to the scene after receiving a call from a Georgia official, warning, “If you don’t go over there, they’re going to end up shooting those dogs.”
She agreed to take all 29 dogs – a number that ballooned to 60 after several pregnant canines gave birth – to Max’s Animal Rescue, the nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter she and her husband, Jim Larson, started in Hoboken, Ga., in 2007. Over the following months, the dogs from the breeding operation found homes, except for 11, including Henry, who was “scared half to death” when he arrived at Max’s and could barely tolerate human touch. Lori, 61, refused to give up, saying “I’m not putting anything down for room,” as a retired UPS supervisor.
From Terrified Rescue to Beloved Companion
After several years, Henry started to open up, and today Lori says he’s a “little gentleman” who feels most comfortable on her lap. It’s honestly hard to imagine the transformation this little dog went through. Going from a terrified creature who couldn’t bear human contact to a lap dog takes patience most of us probably don’t possess.
The Larsons stuck with Henry when most people would have considered him unadoptable. They gave him time, space, and relentless compassion. That commitment turned into something neither of them could have predicted: a record-breaking lifespan that’s capturing attention worldwide.
Making History at 25 Years Old
Perhaps more impressive, Henry celebrated his 25th birthday on Jan. 15, a feat that could make him eligible for the title of “World’s Oldest Dog Living” from Guinness World Records. Lori is in the midst of the application process, which requires DNA testing and numerous vet records, but believes “Henry’s going to be it.”
The super senior canine, who is blind and taking Viagra to help treat his pulmonary hypertension, is helping Lori and Jim raise money and awareness for aging rescue dogs who spend their lives in shelters, just like him, via his Henry the Old Dog Facebook page and Instagram. Despite his health challenges, Henry has become an ambassador for a cause that often gets overlooked in the world of animal rescue.
Turning His Golden Years into a Mission for Others
“Money comes in for shelters because of new things,” like puppy care or disaster response, Lori explains, noting “But these dogs that remain, no-kill shelters still have to maintain them.” And seniors are expensive, with Henry having a cardiologist and a pulmonologist who cost at least $1,100 per visit.
The Larsons’ goal is to raise “six figures” so they can give grants to other shelters to support the care of older, long-stay residents, ensuring more pets have the chance to live long, happy lives. Currently, Henry and his pet parents have a GoFundMe dedicated to helping “other senior dogs in rescue get the medical care they so need.” Think about the ripple effect one small dog could have on the entire rescue system.
Here’s the thing: senior pets are the forgotten ones. They sit in shelters while puppies and younger dogs get adopted within days. They have medical needs that drain already limited shelter budgets. Henry’s story proves these older animals deserve their chance at happiness, even if it comes late in life. His journey from a traumatized breeding dog to a world-record contender who’s now helping others like him is nothing short of remarkable. What do you think about senior pet adoption? Would you consider giving an older animal their forever home?
