Fostering an animal is all about opening our hearts so theirs can have the space to grow. It’s a chance to show them kindness, healing, and love, and offer them a fresh start when they need it the most.
This is the story of Kaitlin Devoto and a little poodle who came into her life unexpectedly.
When Kaitlin agreed to foster the dog, she didn’t know what to expect. All she knew was that the poodle had been through a lot and needed someone to give her a chance, sharing in an interview:
“I didn’t know the gender or age. The first time we knew what she looked like was when she arrived in Cincinnati when I picked her up.”
What Kaitlin didn’t know was that this journey would bring an unexpected surprise – something she could have never imagined.
When Kaitlin first laid eyes on this red beauty, she saw something surprising: the dog seemed like she might be producing milk.
Though Kaitlin wasn’t sure why, she guessed that the dog could have recently had puppies, as she shared:
“It’s not unusual to receive a puppy mill Momma who’s still lactating. When their puppies are weaned, moms are ‘no longer useful.’”
The poodle, though, wasn’t in the best shape. She was hungry, tired, and had clearly been through a lot, but Kaitlin wasn’t about to let that stop her from giving this dog the care she needed.
After picking her up, Kaitlin brought her home, not knowing what would happen next.
Just a few days later, in the middle of the night, Kaitlin woke up to something completely unexpected. She rushed to check on the dog and discovered a tiny, newborn puppy curled up beside her.
Turns out, the dog had given birth during the night, and Kaitlin had missed it completely.
She checked to see if there were any other puppies coming, but it was just the one, as she shared:
“It was a singleton baby!”
The sweet little boy looked so small and round, like a little chicken nugget. Kaitlin couldn’t resist and immediately named him Chicky Nug.
She also needed a name for his mom, something just as fun, so she decided to call her Mickey D. It was perfect.
The pair was such a sweet sight to see, and even though they’d both been through so much, they were now getting all the love and care they deserved.
As the days went by, little Chicky Nug grew stronger. He was playful and full of energy, nibbling on toes and toys as Kaitlin shared:
“He loves to run around and do zoomies. And he’s very interested in biting toes and toys.”
Meanwhile, Mickey D was becoming more and more comfortable with her new surroundings. She started to open up and enjoyed her toys and some extra snuggles.
Now, the two of them are still with Kaitlin, living their best life, knowing they’re on the road to something even better.
The plan is for them to go to their forever homes soon, with the help of Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue in New York.
Though it’s not clear where they’ll end up, there’s no doubt in Kaitlin’s mind that these two will find a family that will love them just as much as she does.
As I said earlier, fostering isn’t just about offering a safe place – it’s about opening your heart wide enough to let love grow, not just for the animal, but for yourself too.
It’s a rewarding experience that shows us the power of kindness and the beauty of second chances.
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