California Chihuahua Landed On The Final List, Then A Stranger Made One Unexpected Plan
Found wandering California streets and placed on a shelter’s final list, a senior dog named Bitty takes a flight to a new foster home and proves he still has a lot of life left to live.
A Mysterious Past
He is 16 years old and has been through more than anyone will ever truly know. Sometimes, his mom Gloria wishes he could tell her his story.
But at the same time, she is grateful that he can’t. She knows that hearing the details of his difficult past would likely break her heart.
Instead of dwelling on what happened before, Gloria focuses on the incredible journey they have shared since he came into her life. This is the story of a resilient little dog named Bitty.
Wandering the Streets
Before he knew the comfort of a loving home, Bitty was found wandering the streets all alone. He was in rough shape and clearly suffering.
The little dog had a severe head tilt that made it hard to navigate his surroundings. He was also constantly shaking and scratching at his neck.
With no family coming to claim him, Bitty ended up in a California shelter. Due to his condition and age, he was placed on the shelter’s final list.
Time was running out for the senior dog, and he desperately needed someone to secure his future.
A Flight to a Second Chance
Thankfully, someone at the California shelter saw the fight left in Bitty’s eyes. They decided to take him into their temporary care to save his life.
From there, a rescue plan was set into motion to give him a fresh start far away from his difficult past. Arrangements were made to fly the little dog all the way to Saskatoon.
That is where Gloria came in. She was working at a vet clinic at the time and regularly fostered dogs through a rescue network.
When she heard about Bitty’s situation, she didn’t hesitate to help. He would soon become her twelfth foster dog.
Hoping for Kindness
When the day finally arrived, Gloria headed to the airport to pick up her newest foster pup. The moment they met is permanently etched in her memory.
She remembers the way he looked up at her from his carrier. It was a look that seemed to say, “I hope you’re going to be kind to me.”
But Bitty was far from being out of the woods. He was constantly dehydrated and refused to eat anything Gloria offered him.
Nobody knew exactly what had happened to him on the streets, but the toll it took on his tiny body was undeniable.
An Uncertain Prognosis
Determined to give him the best care possible, Gloria started bringing Bitty into work with her at the vet clinic. She wanted to keep a close eye on his fragile health.
Despite her dedicated efforts, the situation looked grim. One of the veterinarians at the clinic pulled Gloria aside to discuss Bitty’s condition.
Her boss gently warned her that the little dog’s condition was extremely uncertain. His body was incredibly weak, and the odds were stacked against him.
Still, the team agreed that they would keep on trying as long as Bitty kept fighting.
Surprising the Vets
Just when it seemed like Bitty might slip away, something inside him shifted. Gloria started to notice that he had a remarkably strong will to get better.
Slowly but surely, the senior dog began to turn a corner. He started eating, gaining strength, and showing signs of life that no one expected.
He got progressively better with each passing day, and more of his true personality began to shine through. Bitty was making an amazing comeback.
His incredible recovery ended up completely surprising the vets who had initially feared the worst.
An Atypical Chihuahua
After caring for him through his darkest days, Gloria knew their bond was permanent. At the six-month mark of fostering, she officially adopted Bitty.
Now safe and loved, Bitty’s unique quirks began to emerge. Gloria quickly realized that he is a very atypical Chihuahua.
Whenever people meet him, they are always surprised and ask what breed he is. He doesn’t act like a typical small dog at all.
Instead, Bitty is incredibly calm, confident, and gentle. He is a quiet companion who only makes little sounds every now and then to express what he wants.
Leaving the Fear Behind
Bitty’s newfound confidence is a stark contrast to his early days in Saskatoon. When he first arrived, the tiny dog was terrified of the world around him.
He used to be scared of absolutely everything in his environment. Even a simple sneeze from someone in the room would worry him.
Gloria remembers how her boyfriend’s guitar used to send Bitty into a panic. But with patience and love, he learned that he was finally safe.
Today, he is a happy-go-lucky dog who loves going for runs at the dog park or cuddling on the couch for a movie night.
A Cat in a Dog’s Body
One of Bitty’s most endearing traits is his surprisingly feline nature. Gloria often jokes that he must have had cats in his past life.
He exhibits a lot of cat-like behaviors, including the meticulous way he grooms himself. He also gets along exceptionally well with the actual cats in the house.
Depending on his mood and the lighting in the room, Bitty’s appearance seems to change, too. Sometimes he looks like a wise old man, and other times Gloria just sees a puppy.
She often looks at his sweet face and wonders how a dog this gentle ever survived living on the streets.
The Light of Her Life
The journey from a euthanasia list in California to a loving home in Saskatoon has transformed both Bitty and Gloria. Their connection is incredibly deep.
When Gloria tries to describe their relationship, she often finds herself at a loss for words. The bond they share is simply indescribable.
He greets her with pure joy every time she returns home, proving that second chances are always worth the effort. Bitty is truly the light of her life.
Looking back on the day she picked him up, Gloria knows it was fate. She felt from the start that they were meant to take care of each other.
