Many senior dogs undergo remarkable transformations after they get adopted into safe, welcoming homes and get the veterinary care and grooming they need. Once they feel comfortable again, their personalities emerge and they literally begin to look and act like younger dogs.

Take Charlotte, for instance. When she got rescued at age 12 earlier this year, she was in rough shape. Then, just four short months later, she felt great and looked like this! (And her hipster hairstyle helped take even more years off this cutie pie!)

Here, Charlotte’s permanent foster mom Vikki Kiehl tells her story:

“Charlotte came to me from a shelter through Old Dog Haven as a final refuge foster dog. She had a mammary tumor and she walked hunched up so it wouldn’t drag on the ground. When she came to me, she had almost no hair — she didn’t have any hair along her whole spine. But look at her now! She got the care she needed, and she’s so happy!

“Charlotte is quite a character. She is doing great. … She’s incredibly mischievous and into all kinds of things. I love her so much!”

Vikki Kiehl, left, and Diana Halstead, right, are pictured holding senior rescue dogs Allie, left, and Charlotte, right. “My Old Dog” author Laura Coffey’s white-muzzled pooch Frida decides to photo-bomb the scene. (Photo by Laura T. Coffey)

(Vikki, we can tell that you’re quite a character, too. Love your T-shirt about what money can’t buy! Yours too, Diana!!) 🙂

To learn more about Old Dog Haven‘s final refuge foster program, which places dogs in permanent foster homes in Western Washington state and covers all veterinary bills for the rest of their lives, click here.

Love stories and photos of sweet senior pooches? The new book “My Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts,” written by Laura T. Coffey and with photographs by Lori Fusaro, is available at book stores everywhere and at Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com.