When Rachel Fusaro walked into the Southern Oregon Humane Society in Medford, Oregon, where she volunteers, she never expected her heart to be captured so quickly. That day, she met Daffodil, a heavily pregnant pup whose story was as heartbreaking as it was urgent.
Daffodil had been abandoned by her previous owners when she needed them the most. Malnourished and clearly neglected, she desperately required a safe space to give birth. While no one knew for certain if she had been exploited for breeding, it was obvious she had been through hardship.
Seeing her condition, Fusaro knew she couldn’t walk away. She made the decision to foster Daffodil and ensure that both the mama-to-be and her future puppies would be cared for with love.
Daffodil Welcomes Her Puppies
From the moment Daffodil stepped into her foster home, she seemed to understand she was finally safe. She trusted Fusaro instantly and clung to her new caretaker’s kindness.
Fusaro provided her with a whelping box and plenty of affection. Whenever the petting stopped, Daffodil would reach out with her paw, gently insisting on more love.
Not long after settling in, Daffodil went into labor. Over the course of five hours, she brought nine beautiful puppies into the world.
Fusaro never left her side, offering reassurance and comfort as the brave mama delivered each one. She later described the moment as transformative:
“Watching Daffodil bring life into a world that treated her so poorly with such grace changed everything within me,” Fusaro wrote on Instagram.
Caring For A New Family
Determined to provide the best care, Fusaro slept in the same room as Daffodil and her babies, making sure she was always there if they needed her. Since Daffodil had endured neglect before, she required extra support during her postpartum recovery.
The nine pups were lovingly named Birdie, Maple, Aura, Juniper, Grover, Posie, Beau, Moss, and Huckleberry.
Sadly, not all of them survived. At three-and-a-half weeks, Maple, Juniper, and Posie became ill and passed away. The loss devastated Fusaro, but she knew she had to stay strong for Daffodil and the six surviving pups.
Finding Joy Again
With love and dedication, the remaining puppies grew stronger each day. They blossomed into happy, playful little dogs. When the time came, the Southern Oregon Humane Society helped put them up for adoption.
Although Fusaro initially didn’t plan on keeping any of the pups, she found herself completely smitten with Aura and decided to officially adopt her.
All the other puppies found loving forever homes as well. Since their new families lived nearby, the siblings would still have the chance to visit one another.
Meanwhile, Daffodil continued to heal under Fusaro’s care. Her foster mom adored her deeply and vowed she wouldn’t stop until Daffodil had the perfect family of her own.
That promise was fulfilled when a retired couple met Daffodil and immediately fell in love with her gentle spirit. They adopted her, giving her all the affection and comfort she had once been denied.
Today, Daffodil is thriving in her new home, finally able to leave her difficult past behind.
Thanks to Fusaro’s compassion and commitment, a neglected and abandoned pup was not only given the chance to safely welcome her puppies but also the opportunity to live a happy, love-filled life herself.