George was adopted in August 2008 by Jackie and Andrew Peick, in Chilliwack BC.

Yes, George was a senior. And he was a little bit lumpy. And slow. And deaf. He needed surgery that cost upward of $3000, medication and special food for the rest of his life.

Over his last year, George developed congestive heart failure and a steadily worsening foghorn cough. He suffered bouts of bed-wetting. He sometimes had to be 'found' in the back yard because he couldn't remember which part of the house had a door on it.

But something about George made him worth all that. Maybe it was the fact that he got such joy from going for a walk. There was a lopsided spring in his step when the leash came out. And although his tail no longer knocked books off the coffee table, it still wagged for just about everything.

Jackie and Andrew's 2-year old daughter climbed over George, bounced on him and wrapped her arms around his neck. His only reaction was the thump of his tail on the floor. He had a special fondness for Jackie's cat, Mouse, perhaps because Mouse is also a senior.

George spent most of his last days hunkered down on the kitchen floor, quietly watching the activity around him. He put up with nail trimmings and baths (things he doesn't like) without any fuss. And when he got the things he did like (a tummy scratch or a treat) his cataracts simply glowed, and his droopy gray face smiled with pure contentment.

George went to sleep quietly and loved in April 2010, less than two years after he found his forever family. And why did Jackie adopt such an old dog? Her answer is that everyone needs love. And George loved everyone at least as much as they loved him.