When Adri Herron, president of Sanctuary Rescue, in Midlothian, Virginia, opened an email titled “A newborn pit bull with no nose,” her interest was immediate.
The message came from a breeder who admitted she had no idea how to care for such a rare puppy.
Within a day of her birth, the tiny girl was on her way to Sanctuary Rescue, beginning an extraordinary journey that would test the limits of resilience and care.
Adapting To Rescue Life
The puppy, soon named Goosie, was born without a nose, with airways located in the roof of her mouth. In addition, she was diagnosed with pituitary dwarfism, a condition that meant she would remain permanently small, resembling a perpetual puppy.
For a foster-based rescue like Sanctuary, Goosie’s unique needs were a challenge they embraced fully. Adri became her constant companion, carrying the little pup everywhere in a tote bag for the first five weeks.
“She literally went everywhere with me for the first five weeks. I just put her in a tote bag, she would always wiggle to the top and climb out and I just thought ‘She’s so feisty, I’m going to get kicked out of a restaurant because I’m smuggling puppies in,” said Adri.
Unlike most bottle-fed puppies who wean around four weeks, Goosie remained on her bottle until 15 weeks, enjoying the extra care and attention that kept her safe and nourished.
Fragile Health And Frightening Moments
Goosie’s delicate condition brought Adri many anxious nights. She fell seriously ill multiple times and required hospitalization in the ICU on four separate occasions.
Each incident was a tense experience, and Adri feared the worst. Yet each time, Goosie demonstrated remarkable resilience, bouncing back with strength and a joyful spirit, surprising everyone around her.
“Really, she deserves all the credit. Every doctor she has seen is completely blown away by her.”
Defying Expectations And Thriving
Despite initial doubts from many observers, Goosie began to grow steadily. Reaching five pounds marked a significant milestone, proving skeptics wrong and confirming her ability to flourish.
With her growth came a personality full of charm and confidence. Goosie became known as the diva of Sanctuary Rescue, her sassy spirit and independence evident in every interaction.
“She’s very independent and she loves other animals. She loves to chase them. When she hears the ducks quacking and the geese honing that always perks her up,” said Adri.
She also enjoyed playful wrestling with cats and Adri’s 96-pound dog, showing fearlessness and curiosity that belied her size.
Although she will never resemble a typical adult Pit Bull, Goosie has proven that happiness and fulfillment are not tied to physical appearance.
Adri reflected, “There’s nothing cuter to me than a tiny pit bull puppy. I just thought she was the greatest thing I’d ever seen!”
Surrounded by unconditional love, Goosie continues to flourish in her foster home.
Her story exemplifies that every dog, regardless of size or physical differences, carries a heart capable of immense love and often becomes a source of inspiration and joy.