Latest news with #FrostedFacesFoundation
Newsweek
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Bonded Pair of 15-Year-Old Shelter Dogs Desperate To Be Adopted Together
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Two 15-year-old dog siblings have melted hearts across the internet, as their shelter hopes to find them a forever home—ideally, together. Oliver and Savannah were placed in the care of Frosted Faces Foundation, a California-based nonprofit that specializes in senior dog rescue, in March after their owner passed away. A heartwarming TikTok video of the elderly pups sleeping side-by-side, shared by @peakepups, has racked up over 33,200 likes and more than 178,300 views on the platform. "Over the past three-plus months, while on-site and in a foster home, we've gotten to know them very well; their sweet personalities, resilience, and all the ways they are different," Kelly Smíšek, from the Frosted Faces Foundation, told Newsweek. "While we would love to see Oliver and Savannah find a forever home together, what matters most is that they spend their remaining years as cherished family members," Smíšek added. @peakepups Oliver Joe and Savannah Joe are 15 years old and available for adoption through @frostedfaces in Ramona, California. They have a $0 adoption fee and cover medical for life at their on-site vet. Their adoption application is linked in our bio. ♬ The Winner Is... - DeVotchKa Version - DeVotchKa Smíšek described Oliver as a happy and affectionate dog who still behaves much younger than his age. He enjoys morning greetings, car rides, and even stand-up paddleboarding. Back scratches are a particular favorite. Oliver is spending time with a temporary foster family as part of Frosted Faces' "Frosted Fling" program, while Savannah has returned to her previous foster home. Both are said to be thriving in their respective placements. Oliver's temporary caregiver shared further insights into his personality, noting: "Oliver is a gentle, easygoing pup who gets along wonderfully with dogs, cats, and people alike. At 15, he's still full of youthful energy and spirit—his cheerful, bouncy gait makes every walk feel like an adventure," she said. Oliver is full-potty trained and while not a lapdog, loves affection and pets. "Oliver is truly a sweet soul with a warm heart—wise beyond his years but still young at heart," she added. A split image showing the senior dogs, Oliver and Savannah, up for adoption A split image showing the senior dogs, Oliver and Savannah, up for adoption Frosted Faces Foundation/Frosted Faces Foundation Savannah, meanwhile, is described as a quiet and gentle soul who, despite being both blind and deaf, is incredibly adaptable. She loves to rearrange the room, by scooting her bed across the floor until it is the way she likes it. The pup is also a great car passenger. "Savannah is a quiet, sweet, super mellow girl. Although, she is blind and deaf, she had no trouble mapping my home and yard," her foster carer said. "Savannah comes up often to boop my leg for pets or to get picked up. She loves to be held, especially cradled like a baby, and she sleeps through the night in my bed," her foster carer added. The Frosted Faces Foundation offers lifelong veterinary care coverage for the dogs, and there is no adoption fee—just a commitment to provide them a loving home. Bonded pairs such as Oliver and Savannah can be more challenging to place, but the emotional rewards are significant. Rescue in Style says that bonded pairs often offer built-in companionship; reduce anxiety for each other; and help new adopters adjust more quickly. While some may worry about double the responsibility, many find that the bond between the animals creates a more-harmonious household dynamic. There are also distinct benefits to adopting senior dogs. As pet-food manufacturer Purina highlights, older dogs are typically calmer, require less-intensive exercise, and are often already trained. Their personalities are fully formed, making it easier for adopters to find a good match. Perhaps most importantly, giving an older dog a loving home in their twilight years is one of the most-rewarding experiences for a pet owner. The video has struck a chord with TikTok viewers, many of whom shared their hopes for the siblings' future. "My sweet senior dog just passed, I would love to give these guys the best in their final years. Do you allow out of state adoptions? I can come see and meet them, I am in Vegas," posted one user. "Someone pls [please] help them and keep them together. Their owner died and it's tough for them … my heart is broken for them! Hope they live out the rest of their lives together in happiness," commented another. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Dog Spends 588 Days in Shelter With No Interest, Then Euthanasia Loomed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After 588 days in a shelter in Los Angeles, senior pit-bull mix Tigre was scheduled to be euthanized. Just one day before his scheduled euthanasia, the Frosted Faces Foundation (FFF) stepped in at the 11th hour, rescuing him from the South LA Animal Shelter. "Not many people walk into the shelter inquiring about senior bully-breed dogs who are not social with other animals. That's a tall ask," Kelly Smíšek, executive director of FFF, told Newsweek. "Bully breeds are difficult to insure; veterinary care for seniors is expensive; and many people looking to adopt tend to have pets at home. Tigre was scheduled to be euthanized due to his length of stay and no interest." Thanks to the team at FFF, Tigre's story soon took a positive turn, and he was placed with foster carer Kerri Ewing. Now, he has found a forever home with that carer, thanks to the FFF's Molly & Me Project initiative. Tigre the dog smiles in the outdoors with his tongue lolling. Tigre the dog smiles in the outdoors with his tongue lolling. Frosted Faces Foundation "Tigre was my second foster at Frosted Faces. I saw him on the Frosted Faces website and thought he was adorable. When I went to the amazing Frosted Faces facility in Ramona and met him, his soulful, sweet eyes and calm demeanor won me over," Tigre's new owner Kerri Ewing told Newsweek. Ewing wasn't aware of the Molly & Me project and didn't know much about Tigre, but it was love at first sight and she knew she wanted to give him a happier life, even for a while. Designed to help dogs like Tigre, senior pets who cannot live with other animals and are often passed over in shelters, Smíšek said: "The Molly & Me Project is a unique foster initiative by Frosted Faces Foundation designed to help senior dogs who cannot live with other animals. "These dogs, like Molly—who inspired the project—are often incredibly loyal to people but poorly socialized with other pets. This makes finding them adoptive or foster homes especially difficult, often leaving them to languish in kennels or risk euthanasia," Smíšek added. In 2024, approximately 7 million animals entered U.S. shelters and rescues, according to Shelter Animals Count—an increase of nearly 3 percent from 2023. Around 748,000 animals experienced non-live outcomes, including euthanasia, death in care, and being lost in care, in 2024. While this represents a 1.6 percent decrease compared to 2023 and a 20 percent drop from 2019, the number remains high. Dogs made up a growing share of these outcomes, with euthanasia rates rising to 9 percent, compared to 7 percent in 2019. As shelters struggle with overcrowding, foster support helps free up much-needed space for incoming animals without needing to resort to euthanasia. Pictures of Tigre now living his best life with his new owner. Pictures of Tigre now living his best life with his new owner. Kerri Ewing Through the Molly & Me program, suitable foster families receive a $200 monthly stipend for up to 12 months, in addition to full veterinary care, supplies, and continuous support. Weekly updates with photos are required to ensure the dogs are living in a safe and enriching environment. "It's incredibly rewarding to see a Molly & Me dog get adopted, not just because they found a home, but also because these are the dogs that people tend to pass over," said Smíšek. "They often come with a history we'll never fully know, and limitations that make them hard to place. So, when someone sees past all of that and commits to giving them the life they deserve, it means everything." Ewing, who has now officially adopted Tigre, said how important the scheme was for her decision: "After living within cold, concrete walls in the shelter for 1.5 years, Tigre had to relearn how to live in a home. "I also had to adjust some of my old habits and routines that I knew from my previous dog and learn how to best support Tigre so he can be himself again," she said. "The Molly & Me Project by Frosted Faces Foundation gave me the confidence and resources to continue investing in him to help him reach his full potential." Now, Tigre is living his best life, and Ewing is thrilled to have a new best friend. "He is the best boy, and I am so grateful that Frosted Faces rescued him and that he came into my life. I can't imagine my life without him! He's brought so much joy and laughter to my life," Ewing said. "He is so full of love and trust with everyone he meets, even after all he's been through. He's resilient and has a quiet strength about him. I love that he's come out of his shell and is living his best life!" "Seeing him not just safe, but truly happy, in a home, on someone's couch, sleeping in their bed, being someone's one and only again, it reinforces why we do this work," Smíšek said.
