One of the worst things a human ever has to endure is the feeling of not being loved.
It’s especially horrific when that human is a child.
Nine-year-old Robbie Gray is a little boy that knows what it’s like to not be cared for.
Blame it all on his roots….This kid's getting adopted in new boots. #familyeverafter
Posted by Maria Henry Gay onMonday, July 15, 2019
But that difficult experience allowed him to love others that have felt the same way and even help them find loving homes.
Learning to care for senior dogs helped Robbie to accept love and later give love in return.
Robbie now volunteers at a humane society where he advocates for older shelter dogs. He’s also gotten his adoptive parents to adopt a bunch of these senior dogs.
Posted by Maria Henry Gay onFriday, February 22, 2019
Unfortunately, Robbie’s story is a lot sadder than those of most senior shelter dogs.
This sweet boy was abused so badly as a child that he was hospitalized twice with brain injuries.
He also had significant emotional and behavioral issues by the time he entered the foster care system.
Happy One Year HOME, Junior!!(Also…we have word from a trusted source, finalization could be within the next 30 days. 🙌)
Posted by Maria Henry Gay onFriday, June 7, 2019
Robbie ended up in and out of foster care until Maria Gay and her husband Charles Gay came along.
They were up for the challenge of loving this child who didn’t know what it felt like to be loved.
“When Robbie first came home to us, he had a hard time finding an opportunity to be calm and to practice just being calm,” Maria told First Coast News ABC of bringing Robbie into their family two years ago. “Understandably, he was angry when he came home to live with us and scared.”
💙 My Family 💙
Posted by Maria Henry Gay onFriday, May 17, 2019
Maria says caring for adoptive dogs helped him to adjust to his new life in a loving home.
“It was the first time he was able to start seeing, ‘OK, these people, I can trust them.’ It was the first time I could see him in a calm state of mind,” Maria said.
“Robbie do you ever wake up and just want to holler man I have the coolest Mom ever?”“No ma’am but I do think you’re…
Posted by Maria Henry Gay onThursday, August 6, 2020
“He started connecting that everything needs a home no matter how old or what their situation.”
Robbie developed a special affinity for senior dogs.
“There’s something about old dogs that I just like,” Robbie told CBS News.
Robbie and his old people.
Posted by Maria Henry Gay onThursday, June 25, 2020
“People don’t want older people and older dogs. They only want babies and puppies.”
So, Robbie and his new family adopted as many senior dogs as they could.
Maria realized why this was when Robbie asked to stay with one of their adopted dogs when they had to put it down.
“I know how it feels not to be loved or cared for and I don’t want any animal of mine to feel that way,” Robbie told his mom.
Robbie now volunteers at a humane society and has inspired dozens to adopt and love senior dogs.
“It doesn’t matter how long you’ve had something. It’s how much you love it,” Robbie says.
Robbie also says that he wants to adopt foster children when he grows up.
Meet Karma!!!She is a sweet older gal who was owner surrendered. Her mate was adopted quickly but Karma was left…
Posted by Maria Henry Gay onThursday, August 6, 2020
“He is so aware that it could have gone totally differently for him. And in these older dogs Robbie has found a place to practice compassion,” Maria said.
Maria explained to Robbie that they don’t want to see senior dogs without a home just like they don’t want to see children without a home.
We just met with the great Mayor of Palm Coast, Milissa Holland, for her to personally give Robbie the 2020 Next…
Posted by Maria Henry Gay onTuesday, August 4, 2020
“Sometimes people will adopt my age kids, but they might give them back,” Robbie said.
“And what’s always important? We don’t give up. We don’t give up on our dogs and we don’t give up on our humans,” Maria replied.
Learn more about this sweet story in the video below.
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