A woman in the US who lost her husband earlier this year has adopted an elderly dog with cancer.

Melani Andrews walked into the Front Street Animal Shelter in Sacramento, California last week and asked to meet the "oldest, hardest to adopt dog."

The dog Jake was being passed up time and time again, and in addition to his cancer, he is 12-years-old and has skin problems.

Ms Andrews told 7 News Online that Jake makes her laugh every day, "He is a cutie and definitely is used to living in a home."

View photos The shelter said Jake was getting passed up time and time again. Source: Front Street Animal Shelter/ Facebook More

View photos Ms Andrews walked into the shelter and asked which was the More

Ms Andrews said her new mate deserves to die being in a loving environment not a shelter.

"I don't know the reasons he ended up on the streets in the condition he was in when the Sacramento, CA Front St, SPCA found him but the remainder of his life will be as good as I can make it," Ms Andrews said.

According to TODAY in the US Ms Andrews lost her husband in January 2016 and then a year later her dog passed away.

View photos Ms Andrews says Jake makes her laugh. Source: Melani Andrews More

The shelter shared an image of the pair on Facebook, both seemingly grinning ear to ear.

"Melani came to the shelter not just to find a great dog, but to save a life and give unconditional love to a dog in need," a post on the Front Street Animal Shelter's Facebook page said.

"As you can see, it's a match made in heaven. Please help us thank Melani...People like her are our heroes."

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