Fostering a puppy is truly a heartwarming gesture. Inviting a stray or abandoned dog into one’s home to help them heal from their past emotional struggles is simply a noble act.
Many dogs are in dire need of a new beginning, and until they get that chance, the foster parent plays a crucial role in ensuring they recover and are ready for their forever homes.
This story is about a dog that has endured a lot but had one more unexpected surprise in store that nobody anticipated.
A New Foster Adventure
When Kaitlin Devoto first agreed to foster a dog, she went in blind—knowing absolutely nothing about the dog she was about to welcome into her home.
In her interview with the Dodo, she admitted, “I didn’t know the gender or age.” She explained she only got to see the dog for the first time when it was brought to Cincinnati for pickup.
While waiting at the New York pickup spot, Kaitlin spotted a stunning red poodle. Observing signs that the dog was potentially lactating, she suspected it might have recently had a litter.
She added, “It’s not rare for a puppy mill momma to arrive still producing milk. Once their puppies are old enough, they consider the moms ‘no longer useful’.“
The dog looked as if it had been starved for a while, but Kaitlin was prepared with a good nutritional plan. She warmly welcomed the poodle into her home.
A Delightful Little Shock
Just four days into the fostering journey, Kaitlin experienced an unexpected interruption. To her surprise, she found a tiny puppy curled up next to the mother dog in the bed.
Unbeknownst to Kaitlin, the pup had been born during the night, catching her completely off guard.
After checking for any more pups, Kaitlin confirmed that it was just the one.
Quick to provide comfort, Kaitlin made sure the mother dog and her new baby were cozy by layering some soft blankets around them.
Kaitlin described the new puppy as looking like a chicken nugget, which inspired his playful name.
She shared, “We named him Chicky Nug pretty quickly, but finding the right name for the momma that fit was tougher.“
Finally, she settled on the perfect name for the mom that matched the theme—Mickey D.
A Thrilling Future Ahead
Time has flown by, and the little pup is now bursting with energy. Kaitlin noted, “He loves to zoom around and is really into nibbling on toes and toys.“
Mickey has also started to enjoy her toys, and her initial shyness is fading as she becomes more sociable.
For now, the dog duo remains with Kaitlin, delighting in their time together. Soon, they’ll be ready to move on and find their forever family homes through the adoption process spearheaded by Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue in New York.
While it’s not clear if new homes have been found just yet, Kaitlin is confident these lovable dogs will capture the hearts of potential adopters.
