奇速英语

一只年老又虚弱的狗被爱心夫妇领养

Before Beth and Michael Clark came along, Rocky was just a weak, elderly dog who may have otherwise never found a home to live out the rest of his days. Luckily, the couple laid eyes on him one day when dropping off donations at the Anne Arundel County Animal Shelter in Maryland. "He was really frail," Beth Clark said. "I looked at my husband and was like, 'We're getting him now.'"

When Beth first saw Rocky, she took him home. She said she didn’t even ask about Rocky's previous owners or past life—it didn't matter to her. "I just didn't want this 17-year-old dog to die in a cage," she said. The couple knew Rocky might not last long after taking him home. He was old, but they were happy to offer him a family for his final days. But he ended up living longer than anyone expected—and long enough to meet Hazel, the couple's new daughter, who was born last month.

When baby Hazel was brought home, Rocky greeted her with curiosity and excitement, almost as if he had been sticking around long enough to welcome her home. Rocky passed away that same night, Clark said.

Beth and her husband stayed with Rocky during his final hours, while Beth’s mother looked after Hazel. The couple was "broken". Beth said she was so grateful that Rocky and Hazel got to meet. Chris Weinstein, a volunteer at the shelter and a board member for Friends of Anne Arundel County Animal Control, helped the Clarks through Rocky's adoption. She said the shelter has a great track record at finding older animals homes, even though it's often a harder journey, and she hopes other people follow the Clarks' example.