Every time Brooklyn Washburn bends down to put on her shoes, her senior rescue Chihuahua Joey reacts in a deeply emotional way. The small dog becomes anxious whenever he realizes she might be leaving the house. Joey is 13 years old and his journey to finding a safe and loving home has been remarkable. Washburn welcomed him into her care last year after he was rescued by Mikey’s Chance Canine Rescue in Washington state.
According to Washburn, Joey was discovered abandoned inside a car. Police contacted animal control after noticing the situation, and when officers arrived they initially believed the tiny dog had already passed away. However, Joey was simply sleeping. That moment marked the beginning of a rescue story that would later bring him into Washburn’s life and create a powerful bond between the two.
Health Challenges That Nearly Cost Joey His Eyes
When Joey was first rescued, his health condition was extremely concerning, particularly his eyes. Washburn explained that both of Joey’s eyes had severe ulcers and veterinarians originally believed surgery would be necessary to remove them completely. However, during medical evaluation doctors discovered that Joey suffers from hemophilia a blood disorder that makes surgery extremely dangerous.
Because of this condition, the eye removal procedure had to be canceled. Instead of surgery, Washburn and her close friend Billie Wensveen, who is also an experienced foster caregiver, decided to treat Joey using antibiotics and careful monitoring. Over time something remarkable happened. Joey’s right eye healed completely, surprising everyone involved in his recovery. His left eye still requires treatment, and veterinarians believe he may eventually need a protective eye procedure to help prevent further damage.
How Fostering Led To Joey Finding His Forever Home
Washburn first became involved in fostering through Wensveen, whom she describes as both her best friend and a “bonus mom.” Wensveen had welcomed Washburn into her home several years earlier so she could pursue nursing school Through that experience Washburn was introduced to animal fostering and began helping care for rescue dogs Joey.
Joey entered their lives during a difficult emotional period. Washburn had recently lost her childhood dog who remained with her family back in Iowa. Being far away during that loss was heartbreaking for her. When Joey arrived, however, the senior Chihuahua helped fill that emotional gap. Washburn believes their connection has helped both of them heal. Although Joey was initially meant to be a foster dog, his age and medical condition mean he will remain with Washburn permanently in what rescuers call a fospice home Joey.
Viral TikTok Moment Reveals Joey’s Deep Attachment
The strong emotional bond between Joey and Washburn became widely known after she shared a short video on TikTok. In the clip, Joey becomes visibly distressed when Washburn begins putting on her shoes before leaving for class. The video quickly gained attention online and received more than 175000 views Washburn.
Washburn says this reaction happens almost every time she prepares to leave. Joey appears to become anxious at the sight of her shoes, possibly because of past abandonment experiences or simply because of how attached he has become to her. Their relationship has grown incredibly close over time, and Joey clearly prefers to stay by her side whenever possible.
Why Senior Rescue Dogs Like Joey Deserve Love
Despite his medical challenges, Joey continues to live a comfortable and loving life with Washburn. He will soon undergo a procedure to help protect his remaining eye, and although the treatment is costly, Washburn and Wensveen believe he deserves the best care possible.
Washburn hopes Joey’s story will encourage more people to consider adopting or fostering senior dogs. According to animal welfare organizations, older dogs are significantly less likely to be adopted than younger ones. Yet they often have calm personalities and form extremely loyal bonds with their caregivers. Joey’s story is a powerful reminder that senior dogs still have plenty of love to give and deserve a second chance at happiness.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Dog Name | Joey |
| Breed | Chihuahua |
| Age | 13 Years |
| Rescue Organization | Mikey’s Chance Canine Rescue |
| Medical Condition | Hemophilia and Eye Ulcers |
| Current Care | Living with foster caregiver Brooklyn Washburn |
