One dog's impact on the science of aging
The Rowe family dog Ralph was one of many canines who participated in a study of the drug rapamycin. Scientists were able to gain new insight into the drug's potential as a treatment by studying his brain.
When the Rowe family – mother Tara, father Jason, and daughter Eloise – saw their dog Ralph for the first time at an adoption event in 2012, they knew they wanted him instantly.
"We were like, 'Ralph, that's our dog,'" Tara Rowe told Anderson Cooper in an interview.
Ralph was mellow but liked to play hard. He loved frisbee, camping in the mountains and swimming, and munching on carrots and ice cubes. People were amused by Ralph's proportions: he had stubby legs and a big head.
"He gets a lot of attention because he looks pretty funny," Tara told 60 Minutes.
Ralph helped his family through some difficult times. Eloise was born with esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula. She had multiple surgeries and experienced a range of complications throughout her life; some still persist today. Jason had a cardiac arrest while riding his bike eight years ago. He suffered an anoxic brain injury that resulted in permanent cognitive issues.
"Ralph was our unconditional love. Happy, comforting and always there when our world fell apart time and time again," Tara told 60 Minutes Overtime. "It's as if he could sense how much pain we were in, and could ease it."