Woman Chooses The Tiniest, Sickliest Puppy — And Helps Her Grow Big And Strong – BuzzOverDose

Woman Chooses The Tiniest, Sickliest Puppy — And Helps Her Grow Big And Strong

“I stopped breathing for a minute and just fell in love with her instantly. I said to myself, ‘This is the one I’m keeping.’”

Marcela Wedel was in no position to adopt another dog. She already had four rescue dogs in her care, and she was stretched for time and finances. But when Wedel watched a rescue dog named Maia give birth to a litter of puppies, she fell in love with the tiniest one — the one she’d name Puppy Grey.

“I stopped breathing for a minute and just fell in love with her instantly,” Wedel told The Dodo. “I said to myself, ‘This is the one I’m keeping.’”

Person holding tiny puppy in their hands
Puppy Grey as a tiny puppy | MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

Six years ago, police rescued Maia and two other pit bulls from a drug lab in San Jose, Costa Rica. The dogs were chained up on the property, terrified and covered in blood. It’s possible they’d been used as guard dogs or in dogfights, although no one knows for sure.

Police confiscating dogs at drug lab
Two of the dogs found at the drug lab in San Jose, Costa Rica | MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

After being rescued by the police, the dogs went into foster homes — and Wedel’s friend was the one who took in Maia, who was heavily pregnant at the time. Two weeks later, Maia gave birth to four puppies, including Puppy Grey, who was the runt of the litter.

Dog with litter of newborn puppies
Maia and her newborn puppies, including Puppy Grey | MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

It quickly became apparent that Puppy Grey was different, and not just for being the runt. When her three siblings started walking, Puppy remained immobile. She also didn’t grow as quickly as the others, which led Wedel to suspect she had a type of dwarfism, although this has never been officially diagnosed.

Woman cuddling with newborn puppy
Wedel cuddling with Puppy Grey shortly after she was born | MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

When Wedel took Puppy to a vet clinic to investigate her mobility issues, she got some bad news. The vet said that Puppy had a neurological problem, and suggested putting her down.

Tiny puppy in wash tub
MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

Wedel refused. Instead, she started helping Puppy Grey do therapeutic exercises each day, took her swimming and got her regular acupuncture treatments. And slowly but surely, Puppy Grey started moving on her own.

Woman helping dog exercise on exercise ball
Wedel helping Puppy Grey do some exercises | MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

Around the same time that Puppy started to walk, she also started to smile.

Woman cuddling with tiny puppy
Puppy Grey cuddling up to Wedel | MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

“The smile started when she was maybe a few months old, and it can light an entire room,” Wedel said. “It’s contagious. You can feel your eyes tearing up. Sometimes people come to meet her and they are so overcome by emotion that they cry.”

Dog smiling while sitting on woman's lap
Puppy Grey smiling | MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

For about three years, Puppy Grey led a relatively normal life — she needed constant physical therapy, but she was able to move around on her own. But one day, she suddenly stopped being able to walk. When Wedel rushed her to the vet, Puppy was diagnosed with a hernia, and the vet said she needed emergency surgery.

Injured dog sitting on her backside
Puppy Grey was left paralyzed after her hernia operation | MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

Unfortunately, the surgery didn’t fix anything, although Wedel says it was not the vet’s fault, and Puppy Grey’s lower body was paralyzed. Now Puppy Grey needed even more assistance moving around, and Wedel had to start helping her poop and pee.

Woman kissing dog in stroller
Puppy Grey and a friend sitting in her stroller | MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

Wedel admits that caring for Puppy Grey is often challenging. For one, it’s hard for Wedel to pay for everything — Puppy Grey’s therapies cost about $500 each month. Secondly, Puppy’s condition means that Wedel needs to be with her every single hour of the day.

“If I go somewhere I need to know that she can come with me, and if not, I probably won’t bother going,” Wedel said.

Dog getting therapy
Puppy Grey at a therapy session with Wedel | MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

Puppy Grey’s care has also taken a toll on Wedel’s own health — she gets sciatica and back pain from having to carry Puppy Grey around.

Puppy Grey at a swim therapy class | MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

Yet Wedel wouldn’t have things any other way. She loves taking care of Puppy, and she bends over backwards to give her everything she needs.

Dog kissing woman while they lay on the beach
MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

“I don’t think Puppy would be alive today if it weren’t for me, or someone else willing to do the same for her,” Wedel said. “Most other people would have put her down when the first vet gave the indication for euthanasia when she was 1 month old.”

Woman posing behind smiling puppy
MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

To help pay for Puppy Grey’s treatments, Wedel teaches yoga and pilates classes. She also sells T-shirts, bags and other merchandise, all emblazoned with Puppy Grey’s infectious smile. If she’s really strapped for cash, Wedel will auction off her own possessions to pay for Puppy Grey’s care.

Woman cuddling with smiling dog
Wedel wearing one of her Puppy Grey T-shirts | MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

Wedel also spends time sharing the joy of Puppy Grey with the rest of the world. She set up a Facebook page for her, which has over 20,000 followers, and she throws a big party each November to mark Puppy Grey’s birthday. This year, Puppy will turn 7.

Dog with birthday cakes
Puppy Grey celebrating one of her birthdays | MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

Another thing Wedel does is take Puppy Grey to local schools, so kids can learn about pit bulls and special needs dogs.

Dog in wheelchair visiting school students
Puppy Grey visiting kids at a local school | MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

Besides Puppy Grey, Wedel takes care of eight other rescue dogs, and for the last nine years, she’s volunteered at the Territorio de Zaguates, a Costa Rican sanctuary for over 1,000 stray dogs. Of course, Puppy Grey always accompanies Wedel to the sanctuary.

Man holding Puppy Grey at dog sanctuary
Wedel holding Puppy Grey at the Territorio de Zaguates | MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

“She’s been going to Territorio since forever, even before she became paralyzed, and she loves it,” Wedel said. “There are a few dogs who always come to say ‘hi’ to her when we arrive.”

Woman with smiling dog
MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

While Wedel’s life is filled with a lot of different dogs, she holds a particularly special place for Puppy Grey. “She’s the perfect little combo, and she’s a soulmate,” Wedel said. “I’ve never loved someone the way I love her.”

Dressed-up woman posing with smiling puppy
MARCELA CASTRO WEDEL

“I can’t imagine my life without her,” Wedel added. “She means the absolute world to me. [She’s] like the air I breathe every day, and I would do anything to keep her safe and happy.”

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Meet Jone Dark, the passionate blogger behind heartwarming tales of dogs and pets. Hailing from Ca, Jone's love for animals led them to create a captivating online space. Through vivid storytelling, Jone's blog explores the joy, challenges, and unique stories within the canine world. Beyond the virtual realm, Jone actively supports animal welfare and adoption initiatives. Join Jone Dark in celebrating the remarkable bond between humans and their furry companions on their blog, where every dog's story is a tale worth telling.

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