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Not everyone sees dogs as lifelong companions. That was the case in Indiana, where a man decided his two senior dogs, Cosmo and Sam, no longer fit into his life. Cosmo, a small Labrador Retriever mix, and Sam, a Pointer, had spent ten years by his side. But when the man planned to move in with his girlfriend, who happened to be allergic, he chose to let them go in the worst way.
Instead of rehoming them or reaching out to a shelter, he brought both dogs to a veterinary clinic and asked for them to be euthanized. The reason? Simply that they were no longer convenient.
A Vet Refuses to Look the Other Way
Thankfully, the veterinarian saw through it. Cosmo and Sam were alert, friendly, and in good health. There was no medical reason to end their lives, and the vet refused to go through with it.
That decision saved them.
The dogs were handed over to Begin Again Rescue Co. (BARC), a foster-based rescue in Valparaiso, Indiana. Volunteers there welcomed Cosmo and Sam, who were confused and heartbroken after losing the only home they had ever known.
Starting Over Isn’t Easy—Especially for Senior Dogs
At BARC, the two dogs slowly began to settle in. Volunteers made sure they were comfortable and loved, giving them the space to decompress. They started eating regularly again, began wagging their tails, and rediscovered the joy of human connection. Still, finding adopters willing to take on a bonded senior pair was proving nearly impossible.
Months went by with no serious interest.
Eventually, another rescue stepped in to help. P.A.W.S. Tinley Park, a no-kill shelter in Illinois, agreed to work with BARC to get Cosmo and Sam more exposure.
The Right People Were Listening
Their story soon reached Eric and Tiffany Dybas, a couple still grieving the loss of their dog. When they heard about Cosmo and Sam, they didn’t hesitate. The bond between the two older dogs touched them deeply. They opened their home—and their hearts—to both.
The adoption couldn’t have gone better.
Cosmo and Sam adapted quickly, and the shelter shared updates confirming they were doing great. Now, they’re spending their days together again, being loved, spoiled, and treated like they matter—because they do.
