Older dog cries at shelter when owners leave with younger pup

Cookie the cocker spaniel, who's believed to be between 10 and 15 years old, and a Labrador retriever were turned into the City of San Bernardino Animal Control after they were found wandering the city streets. 

When the family that owned the dogs went to the shelter to pick them up on Dec. 30, the owners chose to take the young Lab home and left Cookie. 

Confused and scared, the older companion cried and howled as the owners walked out of the building and walked out of her life. 

According to one dog-related website, this happens all too often; owners leave older dogs at shelters and trade them in for younger pups.

But lucky for Cookie, word of her story spread quickly.

It wasn't long before an organization called OC Small Paws So UT helped find a foster mother for Cookie.

Cookie has medical conditions that require special attention, and she has already undergone surgery for cancer. OC Small Paws So UT has pledged to maintain her health and well-being and has documented her journey on the group's Facebook page.

The organization wrote that they "have made the collective decision to not adopt her out. She will stay under the care of the rescue for the rest of her life in a local forever foster."