Fostering a puppy is an extraordinary act of kindness.
Taking in stray or abandoned dogs, helping them recover from emotional and physical hardship, and preparing them for a new chapter in life is nothing short of heroic.
Many of these dogs are in desperate need of a fresh start, and foster parents play a crucial role in their journey to healing.
They provide the love, care, and support needed to help these pups get ready for their forever homes.
In this heartwarming story, we meet a dog who had already endured so much—yet had an unexpected surprise in store that no one could have anticipated.
A New Foster Journey
When Kaitlin Devoto first agreed to foster a dog, she had very little information. In fact, she knew next to nothing about the dog she was about to welcome into her home.
“I didn’t know the gender or age,” she shared with The Dodo. “The first time we knew what she looked like was when she arrived in Cincinnati, where I picked her up.”
At the pickup center in New York, Devoto was greeted by the sight of a beautiful red poodle. She noticed the dog seemed to be producing milk and assumed it was due to a recent litter.
“It’s not unusual to receive a puppy mill mom who’s still lactating,” Devoto explained. “Once their puppies are weaned, the moms are often considered ‘no longer useful.’”
The dog appeared undernourished, but Devoto quickly put her on a healthy diet and took her home to begin her recovery.
A Surprise Arrival
Just four days after bringing the dog into foster care, Devoto woke up to something unexpected.
She checked on the dog and discovered a tiny puppy nestled in the dog bed.
To her astonishment, the poodle had given birth during the night, and Devoto had no idea she was pregnant!
After making sure there were no more puppies on the way, Devoto sprang into action to ensure both mom and baby were comfortable. She lined their bed with soft blankets and created a cozy space for the new family.
Upon examining the newborn puppy, Devoto noticed he resembled a little chicken nugget—so naturally, he was named “Chicky Nug.”
All that was left was to find a fitting name for the mother. To keep with the fast-food theme, she became “Mickey D.”
A Bright Future
As time has passed, little Chicky Nug has grown and become a lively, playful puppy.
“He loves to run around and do zoomies,” Devoto shared. “And he’s very interested in biting toes and playing with toys.”
Mickey D, once shy and reserved, is also coming out of her shell, becoming more social and enjoying her toys.
For now, this adorable duo is still enjoying their time with Devoto.
But soon, both mom and pup will begin the next chapter of their lives as they head to their forever homes, thanks to the adoption process facilitated by Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue in New York.
While it’s unclear if they’ve already found their new families, there’s no doubt these sweet dogs will capture the hearts of loving adopters.