Adopting an 11-year-old dog is the ideal senior match for a 100-year-old woman.

It was silent and depressing before Gucci injected happiness into the home.

He ran up on me and got on my lap as soon as he saw me in my chair "said Johanna Carrington. "He made himself incredibly cozy. Right first, he was just our infant.

Johanna Carrington never got the chance to own a dog while growing up in a war-torn orphanage in Germany.

Since then, she has been making up for lost time.

The 100-year-old Californian has always adored dogs as pets, including a charming but busy period when she and her late husband had eight Pekingese. She recently adopted Gucci, an 11-year-old Chihuahua mix.

“I just love him,” Carrington told TODAY.

As Carrington's previous dog, Rocky, passed away, her home felt eerily silent. They were concerned that a shelter might not allow a woman of her senior age to adopt a pet when she mentioned it to her daughter Debbie Carrington, 64.

Thankfully, one of their Moss Beach neighbors works as a volunteer for Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco and felt the group might be able to assist. It turned out that Gucci, who was then known as Gnocchi, had just been saved from a hoarding situation involving 22 dogs. The little puppy seems prepared to live alone in a home where he could receive a lot of love and care.

Eddie Martinez, Johanna Carrington's carer, promised to walk Gucci every day and assist with his care as a condition of the adoption. Gucci's foster mom drove the little dog to meet Carrington on September 2, and the latter made himself at home right away.

He arrived at the home with the air of a familiar visitor. It was amazing," Carrington remarked. He jumped up on me and perched on my lap after noticing that I was seated in my chair. He made himself incredibly cozy. Right first, he was just our infant.

She has given her new friend "oodles and oodles" of toys that he enjoys fetching, and she also massages his back as they both watch TV. Gucci enjoys creating a warm nest in their bed's covers at night.

Carrington hopes to have a good time with Gucci this December as she turns 101. She "absolutely" believes that spending time with dogs is one of the secrets to a long, happy life, even if she attributes her longevity to a healthy lifestyle (she has never had a cigarette or even a sip of alcohol).

She said, "Animals provide much enjoyment in our home." "I can't believe it."

Her claims are supported by research. The free database of the charity Human Animal Relationship Research Center contains a wealth of scientific papers on the benefits that dogs may offer senior folks.

For instance, one study discovered that having a pet can improve the mental health of older persons who live in the community by offering companionship, lowering loneliness, boosting socializing, and creating a feeling of purpose and meaning. Additionally, companion animals support psychological health after a traumatic event like the death of a spouse and promote healthy aging by lowering stress levels, encouraging physical activity, and even helping individuals deal with pain.

President of the Human Animal Bond Research Institute Steven Feldman said in an email to TODAY that the human-animal link can benefit people of all ages, especially senior adults. According to research, having pets and interacting with animals can be significant sources of social and emotional support for older persons. These supports can help them maintain daily routines, fight loneliness, and generally improve quality of life.

Johanna Carrington’s caregiver, Eddie Martinez, takes Gucci on daily walks and cooks chicken for him as a treat. Having a strong support system can help seniors successfully adopt pets.

According to Alice Ensor, adoptions coordinator at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, when older humans adopt senior pets, such as dogs ages 7 and up, it can be beneficial for both parties. Because of this, Muttville runs a program called Seniors for Seniors. Muttville promises to take the dog back if a senior adopts a dog but is unable to care for them after their death or illness. Muttville also keeps in touch with the adopter in case they require anything further, including short-term fostering.

Ensor, 62, told TODAY, "We want them to still enjoy that time together and experience the full delight of their senior years together." "I know as a dog lover, I hope that someone will adopt to me since I can't fathom my home without an animal in it, if I get to live that long. Having a dog improves life for everyone, young or elderly.

Christine Falletti contacted Muttville to see if Johanna Carrington, a neighbor who was 100 years old and looking for a dog to adore and provide with a loving home, was a good match. Soon after Carrington adopted Gucci, she came to see him. Courtesy Jennifer Carrington

The 10,000th dog was saved by Muttville in August as part of their 15th anniversary celebration. 32% of adoptions annually are typically attributed to the Seniors for Seniors program. The team searches for the ideal match, according to Ensor, such as a little dog that can be carried but isn't too small to be a trip hazard by scampering underneath or a dog that isn't afraid of wheelchairs or walkers.

Gucci wasn't a problem because he was well-behaved and still energetic enough to use the stairs in Carrington's home. He appeared to be the kind of dog who would enjoy living alone in a house.

Ensor described him as "a very soulful little kid." That truly is a matching procedure.

Gucci loves making blanket nests at home with Johanna Carrington.Courtesy Debbie Carrington

Using technology to navigate the adoption process is one way that family, friends, neighbors, and caretakers can assist seniors who want to adopt dogs, according to Ensor. Many animal rescue organizations have used social media, especially during the pandemic, to connect adoptable pets with people. These connections have included virtual meet-and-greets and home inspections via FaceTime or Zoom.

The first step, she suggested, could be to assist the potential senior adopter in using the technology.

Gucci is an example of an older dog who, while generally calmer than pups, nonetheless enjoys active activity like daily walks. 

Debbie Carrington has found that helping her mother adopt Gucci from Muttville through the Seniors for Seniors program has been very rewarding. The elderly dog was already housebroken, so they don't have to worry about messes, and since he is toothless, they won't need to set aside money for additional dental care.

But mostly, it's "heartwarming" to witness the pair's close relationship.

It was quite depressing here after she lost her second dog, Debbie Carrington told TODAY. It was silent and depressing before Gucci provided happiness. She can't help but smile as she watches him run around and do hilarious things, and then she can also catch him dozing off on her lap in her bed or recliner.