Seven-week-old Pippa arrived at the Atlanta Humane Society with the rest of her family: her mother, father, and brother. All four members of the canine family were infected with mange, but Pippa got the short end of the stick.
The chihuahua’s skin condition was so severe that she barely had any fur at all. Her temperature was high because of the infection, and she was shaking badly due to chills.
After receiving immediate treatment to alleviate some of Pippa’s suffering, the canine went to her foster mom named Amanda Harris.
Amanda has a soft spot for rescue dogs afflicted with mange, so she didn’t think twice when she saw Pippa’s photo; she quickly drove to the Atlanta Humane Society to fetch the tiny chihuahua.
Image credit: as_pippa_grows on Instagram
Amanda gave the dog regular medicated baths as well as medication for her respiratory infection. Of course, she also made sure that she spoiled Pippa with love.
Once the little dog started to feel better and got used to the world around her, she revealed just how exuberant her personality was. Pippa was minuscule, but she held her own against Amanda’s two bigger dogs.
Not that they quarreled with the chihuahua, of course; like patient older siblings, the canines let Pippa snap at their tails and win in their games of tug, helping her grow into a confident dog.
Several weeks after Pippa first came into the shelter, all her fur had grown in at last, and she was healthy inside and out. It was therefore unsurprising that she quickly found a new forever home as soon after she was put up for adoption.
Terri Dickinson heard about the pooch when her daughter showed her a photo. Like Amanda, Terri felt compelled to visit Pippa right away. Once she held Pippa in her arms, that was it; she fell in love, and she never wanted to let go.
Pippa loves snuggling with Terri, and she enjoys resting on her fur mom’s shoulder. However, she’s also an energetic bundle of joy who zips around the house and plays with the family dog, who towers over her.
It’s now hard to picture her as the shivering, mange-ridden puppy she was once, but her touching transformation is proof of the healing power of love.
Watch Pippa’s inspiring journey here:
Source: The Dodo on YouTube
