Two senior dogs, Tulip and Buffy, were left confused and frightened after losing the only home they had ever known.
Tulip and Buffy are both 16-year-old female dogs from California. They spent most of their lives living in a stable home with a family. That changed suddenly when they were surrendered and taken to the Palmdale Animal Care Center. For the pair, the transition was abrupt and difficult. The environment they entered was unfamiliar, loud, and isolating compared to the life they had known.
“These sweet girls lost their home at 16 years old. Everything they knew and loved was ripped away from them in an instant,” Northwest Dog Project wrote in a post shared on Instagram.
Not long after arriving at the shelter, Tulip and Buffy were adopted together by a family. Staff and volunteers hoped the adoption would give the dogs a fresh start. However, that hope was short-lived. Just days later, the dogs were returned to the shelter. The adopters stated that the dogs “didn’t do anything.”
The return was especially difficult given the dogs’ age and recent displacement. Shelter volunteer Rita Earl Blackwell shared her thoughts about the situation online.
“Adopted a few days ago and returned because they ‘didn’t do anything’ I’m actually glad they came back so that NOW we can help them find a home where they’ll be cherished and adored,” Blackwell wrote on Instagram.
Being returned to the shelter a second time only added to the stress Tulip and Buffy were already experiencing. Volunteers recognized that the dogs needed stability and care quickly. After learning about their situation, Northwest Dog Project stepped in to help.
“They have gone through too much heartbreak in a short period of time, and we want nothing more than to CHANGE that,” the rescue shared.
Within days, arrangements were made to move Tulip and Buffy out of the shelter and into a foster home. The change allowed them to leave the kennel environment and begin decompressing in a quieter space. In foster care, they could rest, receive consistent attention, and start to feel safe again.
“They are settling into their temp foster home, where they’ll stay cozy until they can make the trip here to join the #nwdpseniorsanctuary,” Northwest Dog Project wrote. “We are so excited to meet them both, and know you all are too.”
Tulip and Buffy are expected to eventually move to the Northwest Dog Project senior dog sanctuary. The sanctuary was created specifically for older dogs who are surrendered later in life. There, they will have access to soft bedding, toys, companionship, and routine care without the uncertainty of shelter life.
While they remain in foster care, efforts are ongoing to find a permanent home where they can stay together. For now, the focus remains on giving Tulip and Buffy comfort, consistency, and time to adjust after a period of repeated loss.
After everything they have experienced, Tulip and Buffy are no longer alone. They are safe, cared for, and surrounded by people committed to giving them the stability they need at this stage of their lives.
Scroll down and press play to see Tulip and Buffy’s story
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