Arizona Woman Could Not Believe What A DNA Test Revealed About The Dog Under Her Care

A strange little dog found hiding under a bush needed a safe place to land. When a dedicated Arizona rescuer took her in, a DNA test revealed a dark past—and led to a beautiful new beginning.

A Mysterious Discovery

When Erika first laid eyes on the small dog, she was completely taken aback by her unique appearance. “I have never seen a dog like that,” she recalled thinking. “What the heck is she?”

The unusual pup had recently been discovered hiding out under a bush. A kind woman had brought the dog into her home, but she knew she couldn’t keep her permanently.

Erika stepped in, offering to take the dog into her own rescue organization. She wanted to help the woman carefully weed through potential adopters to ensure the dog was rehomed safely and correctly.

Protecting Her Future

Erika knew all too well the dangers that unique-looking dogs can face if they fall into the wrong hands. She worried about bad actors who might try to breed her or use her for dog fighting.

Once the dog, now named Frankie, was safely in the rescue’s care, it became clear she was suffering from a host of medical issues.

These problems were the direct result of irresponsible overbreeding. Her body was a bit “funky,” shaped by a specific look that some people demand, regardless of the toll it takes on the animal’s health.

A Body Under Strain

Frankie’s physical struggles were heartbreaking to witness. Her nose had been bred to be extremely short, making everyday breathing and life a challenge.

Internally, her intestines had grown so thick that her body couldn’t properly absorb nutrients from her food.

Because of this painful condition, the little dog was constantly hungry, no matter how much she ate. Erika knew it would take time and dedicated veterinary care to get her comfortable.

A Startling DNA Discovery

Hoping to understand more about Frankie’s background and health, the rescue decided to run a DNA test. The results were absolutely staggering.

The test revealed that Frankie had 44 half-relatives. To Erika, this pointed to a grim reality: a massive, irresponsible breeding ring operating somewhere nearby.

Given her extensive medical issues and unusual appearance, Erika suspected Frankie was simply considered a “reject” by the breeders and discarded when she was no longer useful.

Clues of a Dark Past

Frankie’s exact age was a mystery, but her physical condition told a story of long-term neglect. Her teeth were in terrible shape, looking as though they had been filed down or worn out from chewing on hard enclosures.

Erika believed the dog had spent her entire life confined to a small crate, likely in a dark puppy mill environment.

“They never came out unless they were sold,” Erika explained, imagining Frankie as just another dog stuffed into a tiny space, waiting for a kind touch she had never known.

A Restaurant Revelation

Months went by as Erika worked tirelessly to get Frankie medically cleared and healthy. In all her time running the rescue, Erika had never once kept one of her foster dogs.

But one morning, while sitting at a restaurant, her husband brought up Frankie. He had noticed how much the little dog wanted to be near Erika and her other dog.

“Do you mean that you want to keep her?” Erika asked him. When he said yes, Erika burst into tears right in the middle of the restaurant. Frankie was finally, officially theirs.

Two Speeds: Sleep and Psycho

Once she realized she was finally home, Frankie’s true personality began to shine. According to Erika, the dog only has two speeds: “sleep and psycho.”

When it’s time to rest, Frankie sleeps in the weirdest positions imaginable. She is so deeply relaxed that other dogs can climb right on top of her without getting a single reaction.

But when it’s playtime, her energy is boundless. She will happily jump off furniture, bounce around the room, and even playfully chew on Erika’s hair.

The Missing Piece

Despite the cropped ears that someone forced upon her in the past, Frankie uses them to communicate beautifully. They wiggle depending on which way she is looking or listening.

Whenever Erika calls her name, Frankie’s stubby, unusual tail wags with pure joy. She is a happy girl who has left her dark past far behind to become an incredible advocate for misunderstood bully breeds.

For Erika, this quirky little dog is the ultimate companion. “She is this missing piece that I didn’t know I needed,” Erika shared. “I think that Frankie knew I was her mom the minute that she saw me.”