Today, I went to the shelter to adopt a dog because I am 73 years old. My wife passed away two years ago and my kids have left me.

I was alone at home. Then my friend suggested that I adopt a dog, saying it would help me spend time and reduce my loneliness since there would be someone in the house.

So, I went to the shelter.

My plan was to bring home a small puppy and take care of it like I would for kids. However, when I arrived at the shelter, I saw an old dog. Its face was pressed against the wall of the kennel. I asked the staff about it, and they told me that it had been there for over 1000 days and had been adopted three times but was returned the next day because of its age; people would bring it back.

I looked at the old dog and thought that since I am old too, I would take good care of it. I went to its kennel, and it saw me and then leaned its head against the wall. I placed my hand on it, and at that moment, I signed the paper and took the dog to my car. It was quiet and didn’t show any happiness; it was lost in its own world.

Then I brought it home. It coughed for a few days, but gradually it got better. Now we are good friends, go for walks together, and spend time with each other.