Woman Adopts Senior Dog, Doesn’t Quite Get What She Was Expecting

As dogs age, they start to slow and are less chipper than normal. Their playing decreases as their naps begin to become more frequent. Or at least that’s what one woman was expecting to happen after bringing home a senior dog.

TikTok user @nicofituk prepared for her senior West Highland white terrier to be a low-energy dog, sleeping the day away in the golden years like most senior dogs would do. However, like a true Westie, this dog showed her puppy-like energy is alive and well, surprising the owner in a TikTok video that was posted on June 12.

West Highland white terriers are intelligent dog breeds with energetic and playful personalities and have an average life span of 13 to 15 years. These dogs need high mental stimulation as they can get bored easily. While friendly, they still tend to bark at strangers.

This adopted Westie proved that age is just a number as she ran around with nonstop energy. The video shows her sprinting through whatever weather was thrown at her—snow, rain, sunshine. Alert, this dog showed she was ready to play at a moment’s notice.

The video’s caption reads: “It’s giving…big baby.”

Every clip in the montage of this dog showed her tail wagging, ready for all the activities. Whether she was playing with the toy, chasing a soccer ball or getting into mischief on the bed, she wasn’t going to let age slow her down.

Newsweek has reached out to @nicofituk via TikTok for additional comment.

Signs of an Aging Dog

Every dog is different when it comes to signs of aging. However, the American Kennel Club (AKC) reported that most dogs will start showing these signs between 8 and 10 years old.

Experts in the AKC article said one of the most common changes in dogs is their sleeping patterns. While dogs typically get most of their sleep at night, when it comes to aging, this can get mixed up with canines active and awake at night. Anxiety, whining, crying, barking or pacing are signs they are confused or lost. Melatonin can help regulate their sleep patterns, but owners should consult a veterinarian before offering it to their dogs.

Other signs dog parents should be aware of when their dogs age include disorientation such as getting stuck in the corner, facing the wrong way or having trouble finding treats and toys.

As dogs grow older, they also might show changes in learned behavior. Dogs could suddenly urinate or defecate inside as they can’t remember to ask to go outside. That’s when veterinarians can step in to determine if the reason behind this is a medical problem or behavioral change.

TikTok Users React

The video, which so far has over 2,500 views, had TikTok users falling in love with the dog’s energy. One user wrote: “Such a storming friend.”

Another added: “No this is too cute!”

A third shared: “I’ve rescued 2 senior Westies and they were exactly the same! Amazing xxx.”

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our “Pet of the Week” lineup.