Right before vet school, I adopted a 9 yo dog in rough shape. She damn near made it to my graduation. That includes outliving her cancer prognosis. My favorite shelter work experience was approving a 10yo Chihuahua mix for an 8yo girl that chose her on a name-your-price day with the money she’d earned. Adopting older pets is always an indication of good humanity to me. Thank you for giving them a good loving home for their final years. I know it made a difference for their life. I’m sorry for your loss. But, you gave them the safety of a home for their final years. That is not underestimated by them or those who work with them.