Few sights are as moving as watching a rescued dog finally come into their own after surviving circumstances no animal should ever face.
Helping a traumatized pup rediscover safety and trust is its own kind of miracle, and the affection they return feels immeasurable.
This is the path Rogue, a Pittie from Oregon, traveled. After enduring devastating events, she was left terrified and without anyone to call her own, until chance placed her in front of the person who would transform her world.
From Crisis To A Lasting Home
Rogue’s life changed in an instant when she was caught in a drive-by.
She had been riding in a car with her siblings when the gunfire erupted. A bullet struck her paw, and she became the only one to survive.
“The dogs were in the car and there was only one that survived, the puppy, and that was Rogue,” Katie told Cuddle Buddies.
In that single moment, Rogue lost her entire family. The shock of the attack left her scared and adrift, yet she somehow managed to keep going.
Around that same time, Katie, a woman from McMinnville, Oregon, happened to be at the emergency clinic with her English Bulldog, Chubz. When her eyes landed on Rogue, she felt an unmistakable pull toward the shaken little dog.
Even after everything she had endured, Rogue brightened whenever Katie and Chubz appeared. She wagged her tail, pressed her body against them, and showed glimmers of the affectionate dog she truly was.
Katie began returning often, settling beside Rogue during her treatments and letting Chubz offer steady companionship. Their gentle visits quickly became the part of Rogue’s day she waited for.
It soon became obvious to Katie that she could not walk away from this dog. She adopted Rogue, and the three of them left the clinic together, stepping into a brand-new chapter.
Within a few weeks, Rogue transformed into a cheerful, spirited girl who finally understood what it meant to feel secure.
A New Friend Who Helped Her Heart Mend
Life in her new home was filled with warmth, yet another loss eventually found its way to them. Chubz passed away, leaving the family grieving.
Rogue mourned deeply for the companion who had helped her feel safe again.
Hoping to bring comfort to them both, Katie made a choice. After six months, she welcomed another Pittie into the home, a dog named Stewie.
Rogue changed almost immediately. With Stewie beside her, the light returned to her face, and the same joyful energy she once shared with Chubz resurfaced.
“Over the last several months we watched their love for one another grow so strong – we just knew we couldn’t separate them. Rogue raised herself a soulmate for a best friend, and Stewie learned a love deeper than any other,” Katie shared.
She stepped into the role of big sister with ease.
She showed Stewie how their world worked, watched over him, and helped him settle in. Stewie, in turn, shadowed her every step, refusing to let her feel alone.
“They share spaces meant for one dog,” Katie said with a laugh.
Their bond tightened quickly. Whether curled up at home or out exploring, Rogue and Stewie remain inseparable.
Their parents even admit it is difficult to leave them at doggy daycare because of how closely they cling to each other.
Today, Rogue is flourishing in her Oregon home with Stewie always nearby. Katie is grateful to see her resilient girl finally living the life she was meant to have, surrounded by affection, stability, and constant companionship.
To follow their journey, Rogue and Stewie share their story on their Instagram page.