When Alison, a 10-year-old pit bull, arrived at the Humane Rescue Alliance, her scars told a story of a hard life. She had been through so much, even surviving a gunshot wound. Her family had given her up, and she was terrified of the world around her. Her future looked bleak.
But things were about to change.
A Perfect Match
Cole Reifsnider wasn’t planning to adopt a senior dog. She thought she’d get a puppy, but her sister had other ideas.
“My sister kept sending me adoptable dogs,” Cole said. “When she sent me Alison’s photo, I joked, ‘Should I adopt a senior dog? Lol.’ But then, I looked again and said, ‘Wait, no—seriously, I think I love her.’”
That one moment changed everything. On Alison’s eleventh birthday, Cole brought her home, giving her the gift of a fresh start.
A Love Like No Other
Despite her tough past, Alison was full of joy. She chose to be happy and spread love wherever she went.
“She had every reason to be sad,” Cole said. “But she wasn’t. She showed me what it means to love completely.”
Alison’s days were filled with short walks, cozy naps, and all the love she could ever want. To make sure she was cared for even when Cole was busy, she hired a dog walker through Rover. That’s how Seth came into Alison’s life.
More Than a Job
Seth wasn’t just a dog walker. He became Alison’s friend.
“He didn’t just walk her,” Cole said. “He’d take her to the rooftop to sunbathe, lie on the floor to cuddle her, and even share his lunch. She lit up whenever she saw him.”
Seth quickly fell in love with Alison’s gentle soul.
“She had a way of calming you,” Seth said. “Even on my hardest days, being with her made everything better.”
Saying Goodbye
As Alison grew older, her health started to fail. Cole knew their time together was running out.
When it was time to say goodbye, Seth didn’t think twice.
“His last official walk with her was on Thursday,” Cole shared. “But when I told him we were saying goodbye on Friday, he rushed to be there. He finished an exam and came straight to the vet to say his final goodbye.”
At 4:30 p.m., surrounded by love, Alison passed away peacefully.
A Final Tribute
Afterward, Seth wrote a touching review for Alison on Rover:
“It is with a heavy heart, but great honor, that I write the last review for Alison. She was the happiest old lady, despite all she had been through.
“What started as just a job turned into something special. Alison’s personality melted my heart. She helped me through stressful times with her calming presence.
“She was truly a once-in-a-lifetime dog, and I will always be grateful for every moment I had with her. I loved Al and will miss her dearly.”
A Legacy of Love
Alison’s story is a powerful reminder of the love senior dogs bring into our lives. They may not have as many years left, but the love they give is unmatched.
If Alison’s story touched your heart, consider giving a senior dog a chance. You might just find your own “once-in-a-lifetime” bond.
Because, as Alison showed us, love can heal even the deepest wounds.