Senior Dog Kept Chained Outside for 10 Years Now Free to Spend Golden Years on a Beach: 'The Life That He Deserved’

Mar. 15, 2025

Rusty the dog.Photo:PETA

PETA

A senior dog has a new lease on life after trading in a life chained outdoors to one of freedom on a beach.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) revealed in anews releasethat the canine — named Rusty — is finally getting to enjoy his golden years in comfort after a decade spent chained outdoors to a doghouse in North Carolina.

The animal organization shared the dog’s story in anew video, which showed Rusty’s initial living situation being chained to a doghouse inside a little pen. PETA noted that Rusty had been left there “24/7 for 10 years” until PETA fieldworkers became aware of his situation.

One of those fieldworkers, Chris Klug, said in the release that they would bring Rusty “food, toys and insulating straw during winter months” while working to get his owner to release him to them.

Rescued senior dog Rusty.PETA

“Every time I would see Rusty, my heart would break,” Klug recalled, adding that their “persistence” eventually “paid off” as Rusty’s owner eventually “agreed to let us find him a loving home.”

“I was so happy for Rusty that he wouldn’t have to live outdoors anymore and he could finally live the life that he deserved,” Klug added in the video.

She could be seen greeting him at the door saying, “Welcome home Rusty! Hi!” while giving him a bunch of hugs. She even had a sign made for the dog that said, “Old is the new gold.”

“I feel like a lot of senior dogs are overlooked,” she said in the video. “His story really spoke to me, and I definitely want to give him a better life [and] just [be] able to give them the best part of [his] life left.”

At the end of the video, Rusty could be seen going on walks on the beach and throughout the neighborhood and enjoying the comforts of his new home with toys.

“He’s definitely perfect,” Caldwell said.

source: people.com