Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota (SDR) is an all-volunteer group committed to the rescue, rehabilitation, and placement of dogs 20 pounds and under.

Shiloh is an easy dog to overlook.  There's nothing outwardly remarkable about this senior beagle/doxie mix.  He's brown with a greying face and he's a pretty quiet and reserved guy.  But there's something about him that is obviously special because Shiloh won the hearts of some pound workers who kept him safe for 5 long months while waiting for a spot in a no-kill rescue to open up. 

If you've been following our site, you probably know by now that senior dogs are often dismissed by potential adopters.  Whether people are afraid of feeling the pain that comes when a beloved pet dies, or they are worried about the possiblity of higher vet bills due to age-related health problems, or some other reason, we often see some of the most lovable and loving dogs in our rescue get passed over again and again because of their age.

But those of us in rescue know that a dog's age is not a solid predictor of the vet expenses!  Young dogs get sick and injured and those bills can be huge.  And some older dogs don't have anything more complex than a bit of arthritis when it rains.  Also, remember that smaller dogs tend to have longer life expectancies than bigger dogs.  But either way, the important part is the love that is given and recieved while dogs are with us that is most important, and that is totally unaffected by age.