Missouri Dog Was Found Without Her Puppies, And One Tiny Detail Showed Just How Shut Down She Was
Yams was found on Missouri streets in critical condition, having just given birth to puppies that were nowhere to be found. Shut down and seemingly unable to wag her tail, she just needed the right family to help her heal.
A Heartbreaking Discovery

Found wandering the streets of St. Louis, a sweet dog was facing an unimaginable loss. She had just given birth, but her puppies were nowhere to be found.
Alone and struggling with severe health issues, she was in a very dark place. Thankfully, a local shelter took her in and began the hard work of pulling her out of critical condition.
They didn’t know much about her past, only that she had been on her own for quite a while.
The Sweet Potato Of The Kennel

Despite the physical and emotional trauma she had endured, the dog’s gentle spirit remained entirely intact. The shelter staff quickly fell in love with her mild-mannered nature.
They decided to name her Yams. The unique name was chosen because she was known by everyone as the “sweet potato of the kennel.”
Once she was medically stabilized and ready for the next step, she was placed into a foster home to continue her recovery.
A Shut-Down Spirit

When Yams first arrived at her foster home, she was incredibly shy. Her foster parents observed behavior that painted a picture of a deeply shut-down dog.
They noted that they had never seen her run, bark, or even wag her tail. She spent her days with her ears pinned back and her tail tucked down.
Her fosters assumed this was simply her personality. They believed she wasn’t necessarily scared, but rather just a very quiet, subdued girl.
The Family That Wasn’t Looking

Kate Peterson and her family weren’t actively looking to adopt a dog. However, fate had other plans when they crossed paths with Yams.
“She just kind of found us,” Kate explained. The family instantly fell in love and knew without a doubt that Yams was the right dog for them.
They officially adopted her, ready to give the sweet potato the loving, permanent home she so desperately deserved.
A Beautiful Transformation

It took a little while for Yams to fully warm up to her new family, but she was always incredibly sweet. Over the next six months, a beautiful transformation unfolded.
Kate and her family soon realized that Yams’ quiet demeanor wasn’t permanent. As she finally started to feel safe, her true personality began to shine through.
She started wagging her tail, running around the house, and playing. Her family noted that her long-lost puppy instincts were finally coming out.
Comfort And Car Rides

Today, Yams is living a life full of comfort and quirky habits. She is known to snore loudly in the background while sleeping peacefully.
When Kate comes home in the afternoon and sits on the couch, Yams will run up and literally jump right on top of her. She also insists on sleeping with Kate every single night.
She even loves hopping into the car for rides. She doesn’t always stick her head out the window; she just finds the motion of the car ride incredibly soothing.
Winning Over The Household

Yams hasn’t just bonded with Kate; she has won over the entire household. Kate’s dad has become one of her absolute favorite people.
The two of them share plenty of quiet moments and lots of snuggles on a regular basis.
Everyone who meets Yams now agrees that she is a completely different dog than the timid, shut-down stray found on the streets of St. Louis.
A Mutual Healing

Kate and Yams have become best buds, doing almost everything together. Interestingly, Kate feels that Yams has taken on a beautiful maternal role in her life.
Perhaps because she lost her own puppies, Yams now acts as a caretaker to Kate, and the two of them help heal each other every single day.
“It’s just been a really great accomplishment for me to know that I’ve helped her,” Kate shared, adding that Yams is the most deserving dog to find a good home.