Rat Terrier Henry Takes Viagra, Raises Cash for Other Seniors

A rat terrier in Hoboken, Georgia named Henry celebrated his 25th birthday in January. As he gets his papers together to vie for Guiness World Records’ oldest living dog honors, Henry is using his celebrity to raise money for other senior pets.

GoFundMe

Lori Larson found Henry in 2010, when the dog was among 29 stuck in squalid conditions at an overwhelmed backyard breeder. Larson tells People magazine that a Georgia official had warned her, “If you don't go over there, they're going to end up shooting those dogs.”

She took all 29 dogs. Larson and her husband Jim had their own nonprofit, no-kill rescue called Max’s Animal Rescue, which they’d started in 2007. Good thing, because the 29 ballooned to 60, as a number of the dogs were pregnant. The Larsons were able to find homes for about 50 dogs, but Henry was not among them, so he stayed on.

Larson says Henry was undersocialized and “scared half to death” when they took him in and could barely tolerate human touch. It took a few years for the dog to open up, but today he's a “little gentleman” who can comfortably doze on an accommodating lap.

Now that Henry is 25, he might be eligible for the Guinness record. Larson is preparing the application, which requires DNA testing and a chain of vet records. (A recent “oldest living dog” had his title rescinded for lack of evidence.)

Although Henry is blind and taking Viagra to treat his pulmonary hypertension, the old boy is helping the Larsons raise money and awareness for senior rescue dogs who spend their lives in shelters. He has his own following on Facebook and Instagram.

“I’m raising money to help other senior dogs in rescue get the medical care they so need,” Henry (or somebody) writes on the GoFundMe page closing in on the goal to raise $5500 for the seven seniors currently living at Max’s. “Senior blood work, dentals, and surgery get costly.”

Photo credit: @henry.the.old.dog via Facebook