Farewell to a Senior Dog Who Touched Hearts by Fulfilling His Bucket List Before Passing at 20

Lauren Siler and Lisa Flores, who are friends, nurtured Annie and took her on exciting escapades after the pup was left at a shelter and given just thirty days to live.

Annie, the black Labrador retriever mix who captured the hearts of thousands of people after she was surrendered to a Texas shelter with only a month to live, has passed away. The beloved pup died on the day after her 20th birthday. In the summer of 2022, Annie’s former owner surrendered the then 19-year-old dog to Dallas Animal Services, and upon arrival, veterinarians gave her a life expectancy of only one month due to her poor health. However, when friends Lauren Siler and Lisa Flores caught wind of Annie’s situation, they decided to foster her, showering the pooch with love and care during her final weeks. Thankfully, Annie exceeded expectations and lived for almost a year longer than anticipated. During that time, she enjoyed new experiences, embarked on adventures, and garnered over 38,000 Instagram followers.

Annie, the black Labrador, was fostered by Lauren Siler and her friend in Texas after being surrendered to a shelter due to her ailing health. The pair announced Annie’s passing on Instagram, expressing that they did not want it to be a sad post as Annie had a wonderful life. They provided information about Annie’s poor health before she died, revealing that she had bloat and needed surgical intervention. Siler and her friend had spoken with PEOPLE earlier about their experience caring for Annie and how it had changed their lives. Despite being aware of Annie’s estimated remaining lifespan, they wanted to make it sparkle and provide the senior pet with the best possible life.

When Lauren Siler and Lisa Flores adopted Annie the Black Lab in June, they knew that her life expectancy was not very long. However, they decided to make the most out of the time they had with her and created a bucket list, starting with simple things like car rides, swimming, and birthday parties. As Annie continued to outlive her expected lifespan, they expanded her list to include activities such as receiving over 500 Valentines on Valentine’s Day, making homemade dog treats, and going on a hamburger tour. Siler believes that Annie quickly learned that she was living the “good life” and that they would spoil her and give her a full life for however long she was with them.

Annie, the Black Lab, captured the hearts of many through her inspiring story and determination, as seen on her Instagram account @dallasanimalfoster. Her popularity resulted in an outpouring of fan mail, not just on Valentine’s Day. Lauren Siler and Flores shared a suggestion in their farewell post to Annie for those who wished to honor her memory. They recommended adopting or fostering a senior dog as the best way to keep Annie’s legacy alive. So, if you’re looking for a way to honor Annie, consider adopting or fostering a senior pup – you won’t regret it!