Having fun has nothing to do with age. This dog shows it every day, because, despite her advanced age, she still enjoys the same things she did when she was just a puppy. Even when they get older, they still like to snuggle and cuddle with their cozy and comfortable toys.
Meet Tessa, a 20-year-old terrier mix who is always devoted to her mom and those she loves. The terrier mix is devoted to her mom, but nothing can compete with her toy banana. It may only be stuffing and yellow fabric, but to Tessa it’s special — and she makes sure everyone else acknowledges that it’s special, too.
Tessa has formed a strong bond with her toy banana for 5 years. Shanna Loren, Tessa’s mom, gave her this banana after her previous favorite toy was destroyed by a foster dog. It is a simple stuffed toy, but to Tessa it’s special.
“I found it in a clearance bin at a pet store but I knew it was the size of toys she likes,” Loren told. “She immediately took to the banana the moment I gave it to her.”
Now, whenever someone visits the house, Tessa will proudly show off her precious toy. “She wants people to acknowledge it’s special too before she will go put it down,” Loren said. “And when she puts it down, she puts it in whatever bed she considers best.”
The pup is insistent when it comes to the banana — and won’t let old age or hearing loss get in the way of her mission.
“We instruct guests to tell her that they saw her banana so she can go lay back down,” Loren said. “It’s funny now that she’s deaf to have our friends yelling at her, ‘I LIKE YOUR BANANA, TESSA!’”
Senior dogs may not like to play and sleep with toys because they start to slow down, and their senses start to dull. But Tessa, she will show you that you’re never too old to cuddle with your favorite plushie. What a cute dog!
For Tessa, you’re never too old to fall asleep cuddling your favorite plushie. “She’s never once allowed it to be a ‘play toy,’” Loren said. “It’s her one little possession and it’s her life.”