When Hotdog was rescued from an overcrowded shelter in California, her new team at Paw Squad 559 couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of sadness for her. She arrived at the shelter with a belly full of milk, yet no puppies in sight — a sign that she’d likely spent her life endlessly giving birth, only to have her puppies taken away from her. Things looked grim for the sweet dog, but a glimmer of hope appeared when her rescuers stepped in.
“Unfortunately, due to a heart murmur, she wasn’t expected to make it out of the shelter,” explained LaRee Holt, a member of the Paw Squad 559 team, in an interview with The Dodo. “Once we brought her into our care, we were able to get her the medical attention she needed and put her on the path to a better life.”
Placed in a warm, loving foster home, Hotdog started to heal and waited for a family to come along and give her the forever home she deserved. But as the months passed, and then a year, she was still waiting.
Her rescuers believed the delay in her adoption might be due to her heart medication, though they knew that was just a small part of who she was. Determined to give Hotdog the best chance at finding her match, Paw Squad 559 brought her to an adoption event. Every dog there found a home that day — except Hotdog.
“We watched her, heartbroken, as she sat in the playpen, staring out with the last bit of hope she had left,” Holt recalled. It was impossible to understand why such a loving, beautiful dog was still being overlooked.
@pawsquadrescue Hotdog is an 11 year old amazing girl who has been in foster care for 1 year. She is longing for a family of her own. Over and over she watches as all the other dogs find their forever homes. Your time is coming! Someday soon sweet girl, we promise 🙏🙏❤️❤️#adoptdontshop #dogsoftiktok #rescue #petsuppliesplus #seniordog
♬ original sound – Pawsquad559
In an effort to spread the word, Paw Squad 559 shared Hotdog’s story on social media — and the response was overwhelming. Her story went viral, and suddenly, the applications started pouring in.
“Since going viral, Hotdog’s life has completely changed,” Holt said. “She had her first meet-and-greet with a family who even showed up wearing hotdog-themed socks!”
Thanks to the power of social media and the generosity of a kind-hearted donor who pledged to cover her medication for an entire year, Hotdog is now receiving the attention and care she so richly deserves. She’s currently pending adoption and getting closer to her happy ending.
However, the journey isn’t over for all the other pups at Paw Squad 559. “Our organization specializes in the ‘underdogs,’ and many of them wait for months, patiently hoping someone will see the treasure they truly are,” Holt shared. “When one dog gets adopted, another takes its place — but we never stop trying to find them all the homes they deserve.”
For Hotdog, the wait is almost over. But for many others like her, their story is still unfolding.
Dedicated and experienced pet-related content writer with a passion for animals and a proven track record of creating engaging and informative content. Skilled in researching, writing, and editing articles that educate and inspire pet owners. Strong knowledge of animal behavior, health, and care, combined with a commitment to delivering high-quality content that resonates with audiences. Seeking to leverage writing skills and passion for pets to contribute to a dynamic and mission-driven team.