Steve Greig of Colorado knows what it's like to live in an animal house.
With 10 dogs, a pig, a rabbit, ducks and chickens, Greig is living with more animals than most people own in a lifetime.
[seealso slug=luella-the-fashion-frenchie]
What's even more special about Greig's brood is that almost all of his pets have been adopted as seniors.
Ready for winter. Phyllis, Englebert, Enoch, Madelyn, Edna, Hercules, Loretta, Josh, Eeyore, Waylon, and Bikini. #oldnotcold A photo posted by steve (@wolfgang2242) on Nov 20, 2015 at 2:00pm PST
Several years ago after the unexpected death of his dog, he decided to honor his late friend's life by adopting the "oldest, least adoptable" dog in the local shelter. That's when Greig came home with a 12-year-old Chihuahua named Eeyore, who had bad knees and a heart murmur.
"I knew that this would be the beginning of the rest of my life," he told Mashable. "When any pet dies, the pain can be so intense and heartbreaking that many people will try to avoid this again at all costs. But, if when a pet dies you allow another one to live in their place, it is incredibly powerful. You have both honored your fallen pet’s life and given dignity to another that probably wouldn’t have had that opportunity."
Since then, he has filled his house with senior pets that needed a new home.
Super Bowl 50, Denver Broncos versus the Carolina Panthers. Enoch predicts the win, holding a stuffed 'Carolina Panther' in his mouth. (Our resident pigskin wanted nothing to do with this picture) #denverbroncos #superbowlparty A photo posted by steve (@wolfgang2242) on Feb 7, 2016 at 10:50am PST
ADOPT #adopt ( And in case anyone wants to know, I got my shirt from @thetreekisser ) A photo posted by steve (@wolfgang2242) on Oct 7, 2015 at 2:00pm PDT
Caring for 10 dogs, a pig and other smaller animals is no easy feat. Greig's typical day starts at 5 a.m., which is when he wakes up to prepare breakfast for the entire crew.
"Several of the dogs have specialized diets so preparing ten different foods can take a while, and there are medications to dispense," he explains.
His days also include walks, playtime and various medical treatments for the sicker animals.
When I was younger I half entertained the idea of becoming an air traffic controller. Kinds of makes sense. Thanks @tishytoshed for filming while running down the street backwards. #noimnotadogwalker A video posted by steve (@wolfgang2242) on Nov 9, 2014 at 1:22pm PST
One of the most surprising things about living with so many animals is that they still manage to have completely unique personalities. Particularly, tiny Chihuahua Englebert stands out from the crowd.
"At four pounds Englebert is the smallest in the house and yet he has the biggest personality, bossing everyone around. I dare say he is the alpha dog," Greig explains.
In fact, Greig has Englebert to thank for the attention his crew has received on Instagram, as the little guy was featured on Humans of New York in 2015.
“I actually went to the shelter to get another dog, but he’d already been adopted. So I decided to do a lap around the facility before I left, and I saw Engelbert. He had about ten pages of physical problems. His back legs didn’t work. His old owners kept him outside, so his ears were completely frostbitten. And he only had three teeth. So I thought if I didn’t get him, nobody else would.” (Engelbert is one ninth of one of my favorite Instagram accounts. He lives with seven other rescues, and a pig: @wolfgang2242) A photo posted by Humans of New York (@humansofny) on Apr 18, 2015 at 12:24pm PDT
In anticipation of the Game of Thrones finale, Engelbert and Enoch recreate a scene from earlier in the season with some dragon riding. #gameofthrones #wontmakesenseifyoudontwatchGOT A photo posted by steve (@wolfgang2242) on Jun 14, 2015 at 5:49pm PDT
One of the other most notable members of Greig's rescued brood is Bikini the pig.
"I first spotted Bikini in the back of an old pickup truck at a local chicken swap," Greig says. "Although I came there to adopt an old chicken, I left with a large pig. The owner told me she was already house broken, used a doggy door and lived with dogs so it seemed to be a fate I couldn’t refuse."
"This house smiles because of her," he added.
I'm not getting younger and stronger, and Bikini isn't getting skinnier or more cooperative, so I bought this "gorilla cart" to transport her to places she is uninterested in going, like the veterinarian to get her hooves trimmed. #bikiniinmotion #bikinithepig A photo posted by steve (@wolfgang2242) on Aug 11, 2014 at 4:22am PDT
It's always good to have at least one friend that's a little bigger than you. #pupupsizing #wolfgang2242 A photo posted by steve (@wolfgang2242) on Sep 11, 2015 at 2:07pm PDT
While it isn't easy to care for so many senior animals, Greig encourages anyone who is able to give senior rescues a better life should absolutely do so.
"It can be a repetitive, exhausting cycle," he says of the daily routine he's gotten into. "But I know how blessed I am to take care of these animals."
"Please consider a senior pet adoption when getting a pet," Greig saed. "They are frightened, confused and desperately need to be cared for and loved but they will return that love in abundance."