Hearts have melted at a 22-year-old dog who still has a lust for life—particularly when it comes to food.
Jess, 33 and from Somerset in the United Kingdom, is the proud owner of Jack Russell terrier mix, Cammy—who she has had for 18 years.
And while that may already seem an impressive age for a dog, Cammy was already well out of puppyhood by the time she became part of Jess’s family: she is now 22 years old.
“Day to day, caring for her now is much slower and more intentional but she’s still very much herself,” Jess told Newsweek. “Routine plays a huge role in that. Predictable days help her feel secure and reduce stress, which becomes increasingly important as dogs age.”
Cammy has a large following on TikTok, where Jess regularly posts about her elderly pet to her account @walkieswithcammy, and one recent video has shown the importance of routine when it comes to dinner time.
In a clip posted on February 15, Cammy trots slowly up to the kitchen, where Jess calls out the magic word: “Dindins!”
And it’s clear Cammy is still full of energy when it comes to food, as she begins bouncing up and down on the spot, and even rushes towards where Jess is preparing the food. She knows, however, that she’s supposed to wait by the door, and quickly rushes back—though she can’t help but creep forward a little bit at a time.
When the food has been prepared, and Jess places Cammy’s food bowl down, the tiny mixed-breed bounds into the room looking like a much younger dog.
“Cammy did very well,” Jess wrote in the caption. “Her impulse control gets the better of her in herold age, especially when it comes to dinner.”
TikTok users had a big reaction, liking the video more than 7,000 times, as viewers flocked to the comments to share their awe at Cammy’s age.
“Mine reached 17 but 22 is crazy how,” one asked, as another pointed out that Cammy is “104 years in dog terms.”
“I didn’t know dogs can live till they are 22 years old,” another admitted, while one asked: “Mine’s 18 and struggling, what meds you got yours on please?”
Jess told Newsweek that her adored pet receives monthly injections at the vet, including for joint pain and itch control, and while they don’t work for every dog, “for Cammy, they’ve been carefully monitored by our vet and have helped maintain her comfort and quality of life for years.”
It’s not just medically that Jess helps her dog, however, as she explained: “We also focus heavily on mental stimulation rather than physical exertion.”
“Cammy is a Jack Russell mix, so providing appropriate outlets for her brain has always mattered. These days that looks like daily sniffing in the garden, gentle forage games and a cardboard box to shred. We do this every morning. It keeps her engaged without putting unnecessary strain on her body.”
Cammy’s owners also take care to minimize stress as much as possible, paying close attention to how she responds to different situations.”
“She isn’t bathed unless she genuinely needs it, we avoid anything overly stimulating and we don’t dress her up unless she’s cold. Comfort and calm always come first,” Jess said.
“She does have age-related changes, as you’d expect at 22, but overall she’s comfortable, content, safe and still enjoys life in her own way!
“Seeing how many people have connected with her and shared their own hopes for their dogs has been incredibly touching. I think older dogs remind people how meaningful the everyday moments are.”
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