After Wolfgang was killed in a car accident in 2012, Steve Greig carried his grief to a veterinarian. The advice was simple: adopt again. But Greig did not ask a local shelter for a puppy. He asked for its oldest dog the one nobody wanted.
That choice became a commitment lasting more than 13 years. Greig, a retired accountant from Newark, Ohio, has since cared for dozens of elderly dogs, many considered difficult to place because of age or illness. He has often shared his home with roughly nine senior dogs at once; recent local reporting put the number at nine.
The dogs do not arrive with interchangeable needs. Some have been blind. Others have had arthritis, diabetes, heart disease or limited mobility. Greig’s days are structured around feeding, grooming, medication, specialized diets, veterinary appointments and individual attention. What began as one adoption after one loss grew into full-time care.
His household has expanded beyond dogs. A pig named Bikini lives alongside rabbits, ducks, chickens and turkeys. Greig recently moved into a historic mansion in Newark, giving the animals more room; the dogs can roam much of the house and grounds.
Wolfgang remains woven into the work. Greig named his online account for him and co-authored The One and Only Wolfgang, a book about the dog whose memory inspired the mission. In 2025, the ASPCA presented Greig with its Citizen Hero Award, recognizing his efforts to bring attention to senior-pet adoption. The organization said its annual Humane Awards honor people and animals who have gone beyond ordinary expectations to improve lives and advance animal welfare.
What Adopting an Older Dog Can Require
Greig’s crowded, carefully managed household is an unusual undertaking, but the problem he responded to is broader. Older dogs generally wait longer in shelters because many adopters prefer younger animals or worry about continuing medical care. The ASPCA has cited a 25% adoption rate for senior dogs, compared with 60% for younger dogs and puppies.
That difference does not mean an older dog is a poor fit. The ASPCA notes several possible advantages: mature dogs may already have basic training, may be past puppy behaviors such as teething and destructive chewing, and often have more established personalities. Those qualities can help adopters assess whether a particular dog suits their daily life.
Age alone, however, cannot tell a family what care an individual dog will need. Prospective adopters should ask shelter staff what is known about the dog’s health, medications, diet, mobility, behavior and prior home life. Daily observations from shelter or foster caregivers can be especially helpful because a dog’s behavior may change under the stress of kennel life.
The practical fit matters, too. A dog with reduced mobility may struggle with stairs or furniture. Vision or hearing loss can require household adjustments. Chronic conditions may demand regular monitoring, additional appointments and a budget that can sustain continuing care. A calm senior may thrive in a quiet home, while another older dog may enjoy a busier household; personality still matters.
Before adopting, families can consider how much time they can devote to care, whether they can manage the dog physically and what financial limits they have. They should also consult a veterinarian about health concerns and ongoing needs rather than assuming every change is simply part of aging.
Greig chose the animals most likely to be passed over, then kept choosing them through meals, medicine, grooming and farewells. Wolfgang could not come home again, but the decision made in his absence has continued opening a door for older dogs, one quiet arrival at a time.
Have you ever adopted a dog with a story like this? Share it in the comments.
By Jake Patterson — Freelance feature writer and former animal-shelter volunteer focused on rescue, adoption, and second-chance dog stories.
