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Hello, Dolly!

February 25, 2009, 2:20 MT

By Jennifer S Hayes

Tiny rescued dog displays a big heart

Tiny rescued dog displays a big heart

By Cathy Scott, Best Friends staff writer

A tiny paralyzed puppy -- found all alone on a city sidewalk -- has a new lease on life, all because of a kind veterinarian and Best Friends volunteers.

Dolly, a partially paralyzed long-haired chihuahua, was found last October abandoned on a street in Riverside County, California. Just two months old, she was taken to an animal shelter, where a volunteer veterinarian was asked to put her down because of her paralysis.

“The staff fell in love with her, but she was deemed special circumstances due to her legs,” Dr. Ron Friedlander says. “Her greatest feature was her attitude; she did not know she was not a normal dog.”

Because she weighed around just three pounds at the time, she was kept in the shelter’s receiving area. “Many people were able to play with her,” Friedlander says. “She would sit in the palm of your hand and try to lick your face. If you put her on the floor, she would scoot across the shelter almost as fast as a normal dog.”

Once the shelter’s five-day hold was up and no one had applied to adopt Dolly (previously known as Twinkle), Friedlander took her to his emergency veterinary clinic.

Three days later, Catherine Macias, who volunteers with Best Friends’ Los Angeles Programs, walked into the clinic and was told about Dolly. She found a temporary foster home for her. Because of a sore on her leg that turned gangrene, Friedlander removed one of Dolly’s rear legs.

Now, because there’s no possibility of rehabilitating her remaining rear leg, that too is being amputated, so she can scoot around better without the leg -- which is straight and in front of her -- getting in the way.

In Las Vegas, Cassandra Schneller took Dolly in to care for her following the surgery. “She has an enormous heart in such a tiny dog,” Schneller says.

She took Dolly to work – diapers and all. “I brought her with me to work every day and any public place that allowed dogs,” she says. “Dolly had a passion for life and loved every part of it -- people, dogs, toys, treats, outings. If she wasn’t in someone’s arms, she was moving faster than I could keep up with her.” While with Schneller, she even learned to play fetch.

Now, Dolly is staying with my dogs and me. The exposure to and affection from people she received from the moment she was plucked off the streets has paid off. She’s a happy, active, well adjusted six month old who adores people and other dogs equally.

The one thing missing in Dolly’s life is a forever home with someone who has experience and is dedicated with caring for an incontinent, disabled dog who needs regular diaper changes.

“Her good looks and charms make it impossible to not want the best for this little doll,” Schneller says.

Click on the image to the right to see a video of Dolly in action.

Anyone interested in adopting Dolly, please e-mail cathys@bestfriends.org.

For more information on how to help animals like Dolly:
• Become a Guardian Angel
• How to Find Homes for Homeless Pets
• Big Dogs, Shy Cats: How to Find Homes for “Hard to Place” Pets
• What Can One Person Do?

Photos by Gary Kalpakoff
Video by Steve Miller
Posted by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends staff

Comments

Posted February 25, 2009, 6:24 by Kelly4cats

What an amazing little girl. She really doesn't know anything is "wrong". Her attitude is watch me go and nothing is going to stop me! The lucky person who adopts this sweet little angel will also get an automatic floor sweeper!

Posted February 26, 2009, 1:40 by content

I have met this little bundle of joy and she's the cutest. She has no idea that she's not like other dogs. I'm sure someone with a big heart will adopt and care for her forever.

Posted February 28, 2009, 11:38AM by dogsorbust

We sure hope she gets a good home. She is adorable. What a lttle character. We love the handstands!

Posted February 25, 2009, 7:55 by ktsmom

She's adorable-loved the video!! You go Dolly!!

Posted February 26, 2009, 8:17AM by Joy

I've met Dolly, and she's a cuddly little princess!

Posted February 26, 2009, 8:5 by carrie_fosters

Joy - she's your size dog and likes to dress up . . .

Posted March 01, 2009, 10:40AM by sconset

What a great little bundle of joy. Has anyone thought about getting a cart for Dolly? I'm sure she would adjust to it in no time.

Posted March 01, 2009, 11:50AM by cathyscott

Good question, sconset! Dolly has a cart, but it's a little too big. The cart company wants to wait to adjust it until Dolly is fully grown. In the meantime, Dolly's diaper doubles as padding so she can scoot around comfortably.

Posted February 25, 2009, 9:24 by carrie_fosters

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh . . . that vid is so sweet, it made my teeth hurt!

Posted February 26, 2009, 5:33AM by doggymama4

oh my gosh! How cute is she ? Thanks again Cathy for helping this little girl , she looks very happy and has no clue that she has a disability. Adorable. I can't find her on the Guardian Angels program,is she on there? I see it is mentioned under the story.

Posted February 25, 2009, 10:8 by nutsahoy

She is adorable and I am sure she will be in her forever home soon. There are others like me that think a furry friend in diapers is no big deal. My little one is paralyzed from the neck down and needs everything done for him, baths, fed and changing his newborn pampers. I don't think he knows he is different then his brothers and sisters and if they get too near when he is being fed he has a hiss that sends them all scurrying. These little ones give so much more then they take. I wish I wasn't so far away across a border. I would take her in a heartbeat. She is sooooo cute. I have two little ones like this and I love their feisty attitude and those eyes, WOW.

Posted February 27, 2009, 1:32 by carrie_fosters

That's right . . . I forgot about your dog-attacking big kitty boy. Nope, Dolly doesn't deserve Baby Joe. ; )

Posted February 28, 2009, 11:15AM by doggymama4

Why don't you guys call each other instead of bickering here. No one cares ,the issue is finding Dolly a good loving home.

Posted February 28, 2009, 5:38 by lindablauch

Oh my gosh. I have met Dolly and she is the cutest thing in the whole world. Come by the Welcome Center anytime Dolly. We love you there . . . diapers and all.

Posted March 01, 2009, 12:4 by scoobysue

Oh my gosh...I adore this little girl! She is such a doll baby. If I didn't have such a brood of my own at the moment, I would love to adopt Dolly. I am use to the diaper thing as a couple of seniors whom I have adopted in the past needed them. Is she at the sanctuary now? I hope I get to meet her and give her kisses when I come to visit (I'm so excited!) in April. Thanks Cathy, for helping this special girl!

Posted March 01, 2009, 1:7 by Joy

Cathy Scott, the author, is fostering Dolly.

Posted March 09, 2009, 11:33 by nicol

In order to fight BSL (banning of pit bulls) - please click on the following link. The message goes direct to President Obama and your elected officials.

http://www.rallycongress.com/stop-breed-banning-/1584/stop-breed-banning-now/

Posted February 27, 2009, 10:20AM by Joy

True, but I just couldn't put her through the torture of Baby Joe who's about four times her size!

Posted March 05, 2009, 9:15AM by doggymama4

Cathy is amazing at fostering and finding great homes for her dogs. I am sure there is a perfect home out there for Dolly and Cathy will find it.

Posted March 08, 2009, 10:50AM by kbluvsdogs

It was great to see you yesterday Cathy! And I love the video of Dolly...what a cutie pie! I'm glad to know she is in such good hands until her perfect & forever home is found :o)