Updated @ 7pm 4/9/12 with more info and corrections

Every homeless animal deserves a home, but it’s the seniors that I feel need the most help. Golden years shouldn’t be spent in a shelter or on a euthanasia list. And while I don’t like giving the spotlight to strays simply because of their celebrity connection, this rescue tale needs to be shared. Ursula Whittaker went to visit her reclusive and dying mother only to find that the woman’s two dogs had been nearly forgotten in the backyard. The pups had been banished to the yard for the past two to three years and hadn’t been given food or water for several days. They were listless and incredibly unhappy. Ursula and her husband Oscar Nunez, who plays the adorable Oscar Martinez on The Office, decided there was no way they could leave these two in this tragic situation.

They brought Belle, a Dutch Shepherd mix, and Obo, a Scottish/Cairn terrier mix back to their home in the hopes of finding them permanent homes. Unfortunately the pups’ elderly state hasn’t made them the most desirable for adoption so the couple are reaching out far and wide for help giving these two a loving retirement plan.

Nine-year-old Belle is unfortunately dog aggressive to anyone but Obo. Despite the aggressive behavior, she is sweet and submissive towards humans.”In a matter of one night, she has gone from cowering to greeting us with a wagging tail, a smile, and good girl sit,” Ursula writes on the dogs’ Adopt a Pet pages. She’s also proved to be incredibly smart. “We gave her a ball and at first she shied away from it,” Ursula tells Pawesome. “Within three days, she learned to play, retrieve, catch, and make it squeak. She’s a total love bug that just wants her belly pet.”

Even with her years of neglect, Belle’s in great health. Recent blood work came back clean and she’s been de-wormed and vaccinated. Belle’s right hand man, Obo is in a tougher spot health wise though still doing incredibly well considering. The 11-year-old Scottie mix is partially blind, deaf and has been living with a cancerous growth near his bum for over a year. That said, his blood work came back clean and he won’t need surgery or medication for his ailment. He just needs some love and plenty of treats. “He is spunky and fearless in his explorations, often leading Belle to new places. It’s beautiful the way these two dogs really balance one another; what one doesn’t have the other does.”

While Ursula and Oscar have taken these two in for the time being, they can’t keep them for very long since Belle wants to fight the couple’s own dog, Gus, who is a recovering bully himself. Belle and Obo are living in cozy dog kennels within a dog run in the couple’s backyard, where Ursula and Oscar can visit them throughout the day. “When we’re super close petting Obo looks into our faces, as does Belle. She really stares into our eyes, actually. It’s kind of intimate.”

If you can help out in any way please check out the dogs’ Adopt a Pet pages.