Many children dream of getting a puppy, but in the new children's book He Chose Me, a little boy named Oliver discovers that what he actually wants is to adopt a senior dog. In this guest post, the author of He Chose Me, Christine Starr, writes about Maddie, the senior dog who was the inspiration for her book.

When a puppy becomes an old dog, will his family still love and care for him? In this prize-winning essay, Grey Muzzle volunteer Jan Zulkeski explains - from a dog's perspective - the importance of The Grey Muzzle Organization's mission to ensure that "no old dog dies alone and afraid."

Our most beloved dogs often come into our lives unexpectedly—a chance viewing of a photo on social media or an appeal to care for a dog in need. That is what happened to Mary and her daughter Chandra when they heard about the plight of a Labrador named Walter.

A wiry-haired, 14-year-old Chihuahua mix is taking the Internet by storm this year. Her name is Susie, and she’s on a mission to connect homeless older dogs with the family that will love them. Meet Susie - and Erin O'Sullivan, the woman behind Susie's Senior Dogs - and learn how they are helping senior dogs in need.

Those who have had the pleasure of sharing their lives with a senior dog probably can‘t imagine allowing them to end up at a local humane society or animal control facility. Yet, shelters care for many old dogs every day. For this article, Grey Muzzle asked experts to share the common reasons for senior dogs being in shelters.

We all want to grow old with our canine friends by our side, but some seniors find themselves unable to afford care for their dogs. Sean Hawkins of Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando explains how his organization keeps vulnerable pets out of shelters by helping seniors provide their companions with necessary care.

The first sign of aging that most owners notice with their dog is arthritis. You might see some slowness when your dog gets up, stiffness, and even limping for the first few steps in the morning or after a long nap. Don’t ignore aches and pains in your old friend; there are things you can do to make your dog healthier and more comfortable.

A senior Shih Tzu named Maddie is one of the dogs featured in the new book My Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts. Maddie was adopted from Grey Muzzle grantee Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. We asked her adopter, Madelon, to tell us more about Maddie's story.

Jim is a retired doctor and Fella is his second Muttville rescue dog. Jim was lonely when his first dog passed away, so Muttville handpicked Pretzel (now Fella), an 11-year-old terrior mix.

Older dogs, with their greying fur and sagging jowls, have a special beauty. This beauty is wonderfully captured in a series of portraits by Toronto-based photographer Pete Thorne, which will be published in a new book, entitled Old Faithful: Dogs of a Certain Age.

The top honor at the 2015 Hero Dog Awards went to a little 14-year-old dog named Harley, who had spent most of his life in a commercial dog breeding facility. Now, thanks to the efforts of the couple who adopted him, Harley has become a "spokesdog" and fundraiser for puppy mill rescue.

When Janetta Harvey adopted Susie-Belle — a Schnauzer who had spent her life as a breeder in a puppy mill, she knew that her new dog would finally get the life she deserved. What Janetta didn't realize was how much she would be inspired to change lives of other dogs like Susie-Belle.

As our dogs age, many of us may wish for a way to hold on to them forever. Since 2012, photographer Jane Sobel Klonsky has been doing that with her camera by capturing precious moments between people and their senior dogs.

When a happy 11-year-old Australian Cattle Dog mix named Danny Boy arrived at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, little did anyone suspect the adventures that awaited or the inspiring legacy that Danny, with the help of dedicated foster parents, would leave behind for the dogs of Muttville.

Senior dogs may seem content to sleep the day away. However, while they may not be able to handle a vigorous hike like they used to, older dogs can still engage in regular activities that stimulate their body and mind. Some activities may even prove useful for helping dogs adapt as they age.