19-Year-Old Foster Dog Survives a Full Year After Doctors Predict She Only Has a Month to Live

A black Lab named Annie, who was 19 years old when she was adopted in June 2022, was only given a month or two to live. Her last owner brought her to the Pawerful Rescue shelter in Dallas, claiming Annie was not drinking or eating anything. Luckily, Lauren Siler came along, saw Annie’s picture, and felt she had to do something.

In 2022, while returning home after a trip, 31-year-old Siler felt compelled to take action about Annie. Lisa Flores, her roommate, and closest friend helped her get in touch with the Dallas, Texas, branch of Pawerful Rescue to inquire if she could foster Annie. Siler had just buried her own dog, a companion she'd had since her undergraduate days, so she understood what it needed to care for an elderly dog. “I had recently gone through that heartache and saw firsthand when a dog was telling you it's time to go, had recently gone through that heartache and saw firsthand when a dog was telling you it's time to go,” Siler told USA Today. 

Incredible things followed. Annie, a black Labrador retriever mix, defied the odds and lived an extra year when veterinarians said she only had a month to go. Annie's foster mom, Siler, won the hearts of dog owners everywhere by chronicling the dog's last excursions on Instagram. Siler and Flores resolved to help Annie complete a bucket list since they knew time was running short. Annie turned 20, celebrated her birthday, had a Christmas in July and a Valentine's Day in August, was featured on a billboard, painted with her paws, and much more. 

"It ended up being a full year of adventures for Annie," Siler said, ”People kept telling us she was having so much fun and enjoying life and that kept her going, and I hope that was the case, I hope she was having so much fun that she just wanted to keep living life,” she added. People all around the world were interested in Siler's Instagram account after hearing about Annie and her bucket list. In July, she had established a following of almost 36,000. In order to complete Annie's list, Siler asked her new fan base to send her Valentine's Day cards. Whether it was Annie's advanced age or just her natural disposition, Siler said the dog appeared calm and relaxed. The fact that she spent so much time outdoors, ostensibly doing nothing more than opening mail and observing passers-by, canine and automobile alike, led to her being dubbed the "nosy neighbor."

On June 21, Siler took Annie into her home, so she decided to throw an "Annie-versary" party in Dallas. More than fifty individuals arrived at the party to meet Annie and celebrate the occasion. However,  Siler reported later that day that Annie was exhibiting terminal symptoms. They took Annie to the animal hospital, where she was euthanized. Siler will continue to assist with foster pets even after Annie has left. “If you can’t adopt, then foster. If you can’t foster, then volunteer, and if you can’t volunteer, then donate,” she advised all the Annie fans or any other pet advocate who wants to help but doesn’t know where to begin.