After being surrendered by her owners, who could no longer keep up with her medical costs, a pup named Grace had no idea what awaited her.
Because she was sick and still without a clear diagnosis, her only hope rested in finding a family willing to fight for her and uncover what was wrong.
Thankfully, The Animal Pad, an all-breed, non-profit rescue in San Diego, California, stepped in and connected her with the perfect foster family.
Easy Does It
Her very first night in a brand-new California home, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, wasn’t easy for Grace.
She had no strength at all and spent most of her time curled tightly in blankets, softly whining and crying. It was her way of telling her new humans that something wasn’t right.
“We were up all throughout the night with her. She was incredibly underweight,” Katie told The Dodo.
Despite their efforts, Grace showed little interest in food. Still, whenever she managed a few tiny bites, her family celebrated the moment.
Each nibble brought hope that the next would be bigger, and they continued cheering her on.
“Whenever she would wag her tail, which was rare, she just made our day,” she added.
Coming Out Of The Shell
Surrounded by love and encouragement, Grace slowly began to improve. She started showing her playful side again.
At first, her games took place while lying down, too weak to move much. But with her family urging her on, she eventually found the courage to get up and run.
Throughout her foster stay, Grace had frequent vet visits. Everyone was determined to solve the mystery of her condition.
After countless tests, the answer finally came. Her breeders had failed to vaccinate her, and on top of that, she was battling distemper, a severe neurological illness.
Although Grace is now thriving and joyful, the lack of proper care left lasting effects.
“She had a little bobbing, ticking head that is pretty constant, and she’ll live with that,” Katie explained.
A Foster Failure
Watching Grace blossom into a lively, affectionate pup made it impossible for her foster family to imagine letting her go.
“We really went through something together. Me and my family were by her side getting her through these lows. So, seeing her just be a happy dog full of life now is incredibly rewarding, and I just adore her,” Katie added.
Adopting her became the easiest choice they ever made.
Fast forward to today, and Grace, now affectionately called Gracie, is living her dream life. She enjoys fun playdates, cozy naps, and delicious snacks with the family who stood by her side from the beginning.
What more could a pup possibly want?