Saying Goodbye to 16-Year-Old Flufferton

A big piece of our hearts has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. On March 19th, 2025, we sadly said goodbye to 16-year-old Flufferton.

We rescued our lovable, old grump Flufferton in March 2022. For the past three years, he has been a staple of the adoption center as one of our Sanctuary seniors. The entire Young at Heart staff and crew of volunteers became his family, but there was one person whom HE chose: Sarah, our Operations Manager.

Sarah was Fluff’s soulmate. They were always meant to find each other, and this writer firmly believes that their paths have been intertwined for eons, throughout multiple timelines. And so it only feels right to have Sarah say the final goodbye to our beloved Flufferton:

“On a Monday in the spring of 2023, former staff member, Madison, sent me a video of Flufferton howling by the front door after I had left for the day. Fluff had decided I was his person, and the rest, as they say, is history.

My heart broke every time I had to leave him, and I often felt sad and guilty that circumstances didn’t allow me to bring him home. But then I remember all of the GOOD he had in his life at the adoption center, thanks to our team.

He had a great big family of amazing people caring for him, checking in on him, and loving him.

He probably got more treats, snacks, and food games than most dogs (who could resist that sweet face?!)

He ran in the meadow and felt the warm sunshine outside on nice days.

He had an endless supply of comfy beds and soft blankets to rest on, although as we know, he often preferred to have most or all of himself on the floor.

He was fed nourishing meals prepared with love just the way he liked them, no matter how frequently his preferences changed.

He received all of the veterinary care, medications, and therapies his aging body needed, and being able to walk across the parking lot to the clinic for all of that kept him going for far longer than he would have otherwise, I’m sure of it.

He was the star of the Christmas season as “Santa Fluff” and the star of Silver Paws 2023 as “Sheriff Fluff.”

He was a Young at Heart House Dog – the highest honor.

When he could no longer roam the whole building, he still got to enjoy upstairs house dog time in the evenings with the PM team.

He dressed up one year for Halloween as E.T., with me as his Elliott.

He and I spent 24 hours together at the 2024 Slumber Pawty and won “Best Campsite” with our FRIENDS theme.

He had a space to call his own by my desk and in the family room where he could be an only dog, as he preferred.

He could be his grumpy, stubborn self and be loved because of his quirks.

He got pets, kisses, and snuggles every single day.

He was told a million times that he is a good boy and that he is loved. My goodness…what a lucky old dog.

From what we know about his life before us, these past three years have created the best chapter of his life. Young at Heart was his home, and we are his family. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I love you so much, Fluff. It has been such a gift to know you, to care for you, and to love you. Things will never be the same without you here. Rest easy, my love. Until our souls meet again. Enjoy your angel wings – you sure have earned them. “