Faces of No-Kill: Beloved senior dog meets his BFF

Does love at first sight work for friendship? According to Henry and Cayden, it absolutely does. These pups are two peas in a pod (though not the same pod, considering Cayden is about 60 pounds bigger than Henry). From playing to cuddling to grooming, whatever they’re doing, they’re doing it together — and it’s been that way since day 1.

“I believe in my heart that Henry and Cayden truly just needed each other,” says their adopter, Allison Vielhaber.

Henry’s journey to Cayden began when he was transferred from a rescue group in Georgia to the Best Friends Lifesaving Center in New York City. At this point, he wasn’t living his best life. The 10-year-old dog struggled with skin irritation and had some behavior challenges. He would bark when left alone and go to the bathroom indoors. As a result, potential adopters passed this sweet senior by.

[Faces of No-Kill: Beloved senior dog goes home]

Still, Henry seemed to burrow into the heart of every Best Friends staff member and volunteer. Despite the frosting on his snout, he had lots of playful puppy energy in addition to his mature charm. He reveled in being dressed up in snazzy bandanas and costumes. Because of this easygoing demeanor, Henry attended several off-site adoption events and even a star-studded Best Friends benefit event.

Two months after his arrival, Henry was looking and feeling better. With the help of antibiotics and medicated baths, his skin had cleared up, and he continued to enjoy all the attention he received. That’s also when he met Allison, who wanted to add another dog to her family. Best Friends staff counseled Allison about Henry’s challenges, and she decided to take a chance on this special little man. She adopted him and brought him home to meet her resident dog, Cayden, which went better than anyone could have hoped. Within 12 hours, the two pups were inseparable.

[Senior dog regains pep in her step]

Cayden brought out the best in Henry. In no time, the once-anxious senior blossomed into a spunky, confident companion, and his previous behavior issues went away. “Henry doesn’t bark when left home alone or have accidents in the house when kept on the average routine,” says Allison. Turns out, all he needed was a loving home and a buddy to share it with.

Today, Henry leads a very full life. A day might include a yoga class with Allison in the morning, a coffee date in the park in the afternoon, and a reality TV marathon on the couch at night. Henry has many fans in his new neighborhood, just like he did at the lifesaving center. Of course, Cayden is always by his side (often in a matching sweater).

Henry isn’t just Cayden’s best friend; he’s the missing piece that made a family complete. “He constantly teaches me to slow down and cherish each moment together,” says Allison. “I never realized there was something missing in me until he showed up.”

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.