I took a very old GSD to help a friend of mine that had to go to a nursing home. My friend had the dog since puppyhood and they were very attached to each other.
Even though I gave her lots of attention...I was beginning to worry that she would grieve herself to death. Wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t move off of a blanket I had brought from her “home”.
It took every bit of 5 months before her appetite returned in full. The first time she sought me out and wagged her tail, I considered it a major event. She was never really happy here, but she “put up” with things until she died a few years later.
heck...If my dog is playing with something and I tell him to stop he puts his chin flat on the ground and lets out a huge sigh.
Bless you for taking in the old dog. I do some work with a rescue group and too many times the “old ones” just don’t get adopted. We have a lovely, healthy older dog up for adoption now, and every time, people seem interested until they read her age, and then they move on. She’s got some good years left, and I just keep hoping she’ll find a good home.