When Paw Squad 559 pulled Hotdog from an overcrowded shelter in California, they knew she had a tough past. She arrived full of milk but with no puppies, likely worn out from years of constant litters. Things were looking bleak for Hotdog until her rescuers stepped in.
“She wasn’t expected to make it out due to a heart murmur,” said LaRee Holt of Paw Squad 559. “But we gave her the care she needed, and she was back on track for a better life.”
Paw Squad 559
Placed in a loving foster home, Hotdog waited and waited for her forever family. A year later, she was still waiting.
Her rescuers suspected her heart condition was holding her back, so they brought her to an adoption event. Every dog found a home that day...except Hotdog.
“Our hearts broke as she stayed behind, peering out of the playpen with nothing but hope,” Holt shared.
Paw Squad 559 TikTok
Confused, the rescue shared her story on social media, and it went viral.
“Once her story blew up, the applications poured in,” Holt said. “She had her first meet-and-greet with a family who showed up wearing hotdog socks!”
Thanks to her viral moment, Hotdog is now getting the recognition she deserves. A donor even offered to cover her medication for a year. She’s now pending adoption, just one step away from her happy ending.
But Hotdog’s journey isn’t unique. Many of the underdogs at Paw Squad 559 are still waiting for their moment.
Paw Squad 559
“Our organization specializes in the underdogs,” Holt said. “When one dog gets adopted, another steps forward, waiting for someone to see them as the gems they truly are.”
