In June 2024, a senior dog named Kino was discovered abandoned in Oakland, California. He was taken in by Oakland Animal Services, and the staff immediately began searching for his owner. Unfortunately, when they finally tracked the owner down, their hearts sank. The heartbreaking truth emerged—the owner had deliberately abandoned Kino, unwilling to care for him any longer. Refusing to give up on the ten-year-old dog, the shelter reached out to Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, a San Francisco-based organization dedicated to caring for and rehoming senior dogs.
Muttville was more than willing to help, and Kino was transferred into their care. That’s where Lisa Arden, a longtime foster caregiver for senior dogs, stepped in. Upon seeing Kino, Lisa knew right away that this dog had lived a hard life. “We don’t know much about his past or how he ended up on the freeway,” Lisa told Newsweek. “He had a bad skin condition, so it was clear he hadn’t been cared for properly.”
Despite his difficult past, Lisa was determined to ensure that Kino’s remaining years were filled with love and comfort. When Kino first arrived at his new foster home, he was understandably shy and fearful. His past trauma was evident in his timid demeanor, but Lisa and her family were committed to helping him heal. Over time, Kino began to open up, revealing his sweet and gentle nature.
For Lisa, watching Kino transform was a joy. “He loves being outside, chasing squirrels, but his favorite thing is sitting on the deck and watching the sunset every evening,” she shared. “He’s very laid-back and enjoys lounging on the couch while I work from home.”
Lisa wanted to share Kino’s story with the world, so she posted a video about him on her TikTok account, @allthefosterpups. She described him as a “happy, loyal, and loving dog” and expressed her hope that he would soon find a forever home. “He’s shy at first, but once he trusts you, he’s the most loyal and loving boy who deserves the very best home after everything he’s been through,” the video caption read.
The post quickly gained attention, and it wasn’t long before the video achieved its goal. Just a week after Lisa shared Kino’s story, an update followed that made his fans ecstatic—Kino had found his forever family. Lisa announced the wonderful news in another video, revealing that a loving family had fallen in love with Kino and decided to adopt him.
To celebrate Kino’s fresh start, Lisa threw him a party before sending him off to his new life. And soon enough, the moment arrived: Kino was officially welcomed into his new home. His new family didn’t hesitate for a second about taking him in, and Kino’s life changed forever.
“Kino was adopted by the sweetest family today! He now has two human siblings, a dog sibling, and a beautiful backyard where he can continue to watch the sunset every evening,” Lisa wrote in the caption of the video. “Thank you to the Ross family for giving this deserving boy a second chance.”
A children's doctor had been evicted and had left items behind when she left. Among them was something alarming: a plastic storage bin, where a dog had been locked inside. If someone is this cruel to a small, defenseless dog, how can they continue to treat children as a doctor?
After enduring abandonment and heartbreak, Kino, with the help of compassionate people, rose like a Phoenix from the ashes. His future now promises love, security, and the peace he so deeply deserves. We wish this very good boy a wonderful life and a new beginning!
Toledo, United States.
