In the world of animal rescue, there are many stories that show us how love and care can make a big difference.
Let me tell you about Tiny Tater Tot, a Chihuahua puppy. He started as a sick dog in a shelter, but his story is really inspiring. This is the story of how Tiny Tater Tot, affectionately known as TTT, found his forever home and a second chance at life.
Tiny Tater Tot Arrived At The Shelter With A Severe Skin Issue
Tiny Tater Tot's journey began at the Austin Animal Center (AAC), where he arrived with a severe skin issue that set him apart from the other shelter dogs. Despite his illness, what stood out most about this little pup was his boundless affection.
The staff at AAC knew he deserved a loving home, a place where he could heal and thrive, but finding the right foster family was a challenge.
Source: Austin Animal Center
TTT's condition made many potential adopters turn away, but those who spent time with him were captivated by his loving nature.
Kelsey Cer, AAC's program manager, shared, "He literally just wants to be loved on all day long and keeps getting overlooked due to his condition." However, his resilience and spirit soon got the attention he deserved.
A Perfect Foster Parents Decided To Scoop Him Up
Source: Austin Animal Center
Eventually, TTT's perfect foster parents, Sylvie and Martin, decided to take care of him. In his new temporary home with them, Tiny Tater Tot had the chance to heal and also learn what it's like to be loved.
When TTT first got to his new foster home, he needed to be isolated from other pets due to the highly contagious nature of his skin disease.
Source: Austin Animal Center
Sylvie and Martin turned a spare bathroom into a comfy space for him. They visited him many times a day, taking all necessary precautions avoid contracting the mange himself. Even though he was alone in that bathroom, it wasn't a sad place at all.
“Despite this sounding like a sad lifestyle, Tiny has been absolutely great,” Slyvie said. “And, it's much quieter and more enriching than a crate at the shelter.”
TTT Was On The Road To Recovery
Source: Austin Animal Center
At first, when TTT arrived, all he wanted to do was sleep, which was really important for him to get better. Over time, he started to regain his health and vitality.
Sylvie recalls, "In the beginning, it was so sad. Now, just a few weeks later, he looks like a different dog." As his physical health improved, his energy and spirit also blossomed.
Source: Austin Animal Center
TTT's happy change was clear when he started to dance around Sylvie and Martin's toes and wag his tail with excitement whenever they entered the room.
“He always greets me with tail wags and running around my feet,” Sylvie said. “Every time I pick him up, he quickly calms down, and his favorite snuggle is to burrow his nose under my armpit.”
He was no longer the sad and sickly pup from the shelter; he had become a beacon of resilience and hope.
New Friends And New Beginnings
Source: Austin Animal Center
After several weeks of dedicated care and healing, Tiny Tater Tot was all better and didn't have mange anymore. He got to explore his foster home and meet the other people living there, and everyone liked him. However, his bond with Lucy, an adopted mama dog, was particularly heartwarming.
Today, Tiny Tater Tot is ready to find his forever family, and he already met them. Even though he will miss Sylvie, Martin, Lucy, and his friends at AAC, he's excited to start his new life. He'll have new brothers and sisters to play with, like a Doberman and a pot-bellied pig, and he'll get lots of love and cuddles from his new mom.