Henry the dog has become quite famous on the internet. If you haven’t heard about him yet, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn why this pooch is so special.
meet henry a 25 year old rat terrier who helps senior pets in shelter, New Africa Shutterstock
Rescuing Henry
Henry the Rat Terrier was adopted in 2010 when he was 9 years old and living in an awful environment caused by a backyard breeder. Lori Hartman and Jim Larson rescued Henry and the other dogs who would otherwise have been killed. They took in 29 dogs that day, but because six of them were pregnant, they ended up with almost 60 rescues in total.
Lori and Jim started their no-kill shelter in 2007. Known as Max’s Animal Rescue, it’s where all of these dogs found safety and love. It took time, but almost all of them were adopted. All but a few found homes, and those who didn’t, including Henry, remained with Lori.
Transforming Henry from Scared to Confident
Henry started off as a fearful dog who’d been overbred. He didn’t like being touched and needed to be socialized. It took him years to transform into the lapdog that he is today, thanks to Lori’s efforts.
Henry’s age is another one of his outstanding features- he turned 25 on January 15, 2026, so he might be able to attain a Guinness World Records title: World’s Oldest Living Dog.
Though he has pulmonary hypertension and is blind, Henry also helps raise awareness for senior dogs in shelters who are waiting for loving homes to call their own. Lori and Jim aim to raise money for their own rescue and other shelters that need financial support to care for seniors who may have medical needs that make their care pricier. To achieve their goals, they set up a GoFundMe with information.
In addition to donating to help Henry and other senior dogs in shelters, you can consider adopting one of these older canines who make loyal and affectionate companions.
You can also follow Henry on Instagram and Facebook. Perhaps this little dog will inspire you to help in some way, whether it’s through donations or opening your home to a senior pet in need of a family.
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