Each and every animal deserves a loving home. But sadly, not all animals are given one. Sometimes, cats and dogs end up on the streets, wandering aimlessly and attempting to fend for themselves. Yankee the poodle was one of these poor animals. Yankee was discovered by a group of locals who said he had been living on the Los Angeles streets for some time. But whenever they tried to help him, the pup always resisted, refusing to leave his spot in the alleyway. His behavior worried the would-be rescuers. Read on to find what happened to him.
Yankee The Poodle Was An L.A. Stray
Yankee the poodle was living on the streets of Los Angeles, California. Although no one is sure just how long Yankee had been homeless, locals had seen him wandering around, fending for himself for some time.
It was clear that Yankee was struggling to make it through the day. He would search tirelessly for scraps of food to eat and water to drink before retreating to an alleyway to rest.
Yankee Was Afraid of People
By now, Yankee had been living on the streets of Los Angeles for a while so some of the locals recognized the scraggly-haired pup. Many of them would bring him food and water to eat, but no one had been able to give him a forever home.
Sometimes locals would try to catch Yankee but he would run away or retreat into his safe spot in the alleyway.
Yankee Might Not Have Had Much Time Left
Recently, the locals noticed that Yankee no longer seemed interested in eating any of the food they would bring him. They started to think that he might be on the verge of passing away.
Although the locals who knew Yankee couldn’t give the sweet pup a forever home, they knew they needed to find someone who could. With the change in his demeanor, they were worried he might be injured or sick, so they called Hope for Paws.
Hope For Paws Came To The Rescue
Hope for Paws received a message about a homeless poodle that was possibly injured. They were interested in helping Yankee immediately and sent a rescue team his way. Two volunteers had just finished another rescue and rushed to find the poodle. When they arrived, it was clear that Yankee wouldn’t last much longer on the streets. By his demeanor, he’d already given up.
Although Yankee had a sweet demeanor, he’d grown to be wary of strangers. Even though Hope for Paws was there to help, it took a while for the poodle to warm up to them.
Yankee Was Reluctant to Let the Volunteers Help Him
The volunteers approached Yankee, who was lying defeated in the corner of the alleyway. At first, Yankee didn’t even move as they approached — but when they tried to put a leash around his neck, he retreated.
Yankee was understandably afraid of the volunteers from Hope for Paws. After all, humans hadn’t been much help to him so far, so why should he believe these people were any different?
They Coaxed Yankee Out of the Alleyway
The volunteers had lots of experience dealing with stray dogs who were nervous and untrusting of humans. Thanks to their prior work with pups in need, they knew getting Yankee away from the alleyway he now called home wouldn’t be a walk in the park.
Luckily, the volunteers were persistent in their pursuit to get Yankee to a safe place. After some coaxing, they were able to get a leash on the pup and walk him out of the alleyway.
Getting Yankee To The Van Wasn’t Exactly Easy
Knowing Yankee would likely retreat into the alleyway the first chance he got, the volunteers gently scooped him up and carried him slowly to the rescue van. As they were walking back, a local woman walked up and started patting Yankee on the head. She said she’d been trying to help the pup for a few days but he was afraid of her. She was so grateful for the Paws of Hope volunteers.
Once they were in the van, the volunteers gave Yankee an initial check-up, looking closely for any blood, bruising, cuts, or scrapes.
Luckily, Yankee Didn’t Have any Noticeable Injuries
Luckily, Yankee didn’t show have any noticeable injuries, which was surprising considering he had been wandering the streets alone for some time. But Yankee was in dire need of food, water, and a nice warm bath.
The volunteers were so excited to give Yankee the love and care he deserved, but Yankee was nervous. He was visibly shaking in the arms of the volunteer.
To the Rescue Hospital We Go
As the volunteers prepared to head back to the rescue hospital, they opened the hatchback of the vehicle to crate Yankee, but the poodle was hesitant. After some more coaxing, the volunteers were able to get Yankee loaded into the rescue van and begin their drive.
While in the car, the volunteers made sure to soothe Yankee as much as possible. Within a few minutes, the pup settled in and even started opening up a bit.
Yankee Slowly Started to Trust the Volunteers
The volunteers had placed Yankee in a crate in the back of the car but left the door open in case he wanted to move about. About halfway through the drive, Yankee slowly crept from the crate and even moved to the back passenger seat to sit next to one of the volunteers.
From the looks in Yankee’s eyes, the volunteers were hopeful that this meant he was warming up to them and that he knew they were here to help.
A Trip to the Vet
Now that Yankee was safe in the care of the volunteers, it was time to get down to business. First up on the list was a trip see a veterinarian. Since Yankee had been on the streets for some time, he definitely hadn’t been to the vet in a while.
There was no way to tell if Yankee had heartworms or some type of nasty infection brewing, but the volunteers were hoping for the best.
Yankee Gets a Clean Bill of Health
To everyone’s relief, Yankee received a clean bill of health from the vet. He tested negative for heartworms and didn’t have any infections. He also hadn’t suffered any serious injuries while he was living on the streets.
Yankee had however developed some seriously matted fur. One thing was for certain — he needed a bath and proper grooming!
The Volunteers Realized Yankee’s Trust Issues Were Severe
When the volunteers left the vet with Yankee, their next mission was to finally give the sweet pup a bath and proper grooming. But as they tried to clean Yankee, they realized his trust issues were worse than they thought.
Having worked with numerous neglected pups in the past, the volunteers weren’t surprised by Yankee’s trust issues at first, but their next realization left them all heartbroken.
Yankee Had Received Little to No Affection His Entire Life
Although the volunteers were experienced handling dogs who were afraid of human, Yankee was a little different. After spending a few hours with him, they realized he had likely received little to no affection at all throughout his entire life.
The sweet pup had never been properly loved, cared for, or socialized. But now, Yankee was finally going to get the care he so desperately needed and deserved.
Yankee Opens Up
When the volunteers arrived with Yankee to the rescue hospital, the pup continued to shy away. Yankee was more subdued than ever, but he did seem to know that these people were all there to help him.
Soon enough, Yankee finally started to open up. He seemed to finally realize that the volunteers who picked him up from the alleyway, the vet, and those at the rescue hospital were all there to help him.
Yankee Started to Thrive
Yankee spent the next few weeks making a full recovery at the rescue hospital. Now that he had proper food, water, and hygiene, he was starting to thrive! Being around humans and other animals all day was really beneficial for Yankee. Slowly but surely he was opening up to others.
Although the volunteers who had rescued Yankee and helped give him a second chance at life were attached to the pup, they knew the next step was to find him a foster home.
Finding His Foster Home
Before they knew it, the time had come to start looking for a foster home for Yankee. Now that he was well enough, Yankee was able to leave the rescue hospital.
Yankee was released to a foster home from the Rescue From the Hart organization. At his foster home, he met a young boy who wanted Yankee to become a part of his family forever.
The Difference Just a Few Weeks Can Make
Just a few weeks before, Yankee had been living on the dirty streets of Los Angeles with little food and water. More than that, the poodle had received so little affection and socialization in his life that he was terrified of humans and even resisted their help.
But thanks to the kindness of strangers, Yankee was now healthy and happy. He also had a new best friend! Things had gotten so much better.
Yankee Makes a New Best Friend
It seemed like only yesterday Yankee was living in fear of humans, but now the once-homeless poodle had made a 180 in his life. He even found a new best friend!
The foster family that adopted Yankee had a young son, who fell in love with Yankee. Eventually, the boy and the pup became best friends. Now, Yankee’s personality was really shining. Even better, he now has his own backyard to run around in!
Look at That Smile!
Would you look at the smile? You can’t fake that kind of happiness! It’s almost hard to believe that this photo of Yankee and his new owner was taken just a few short weeks after he was rescued.
Finally, Yankee had found his forever home and he was truly thriving. After a lifetime of being alone, he was finally getting the love, affection, and care that he so dearly deserved.
Yankee Became More Social As Time Went On
Anyone who works with animal rescues knows how hard it can be for animals to transition to a new home. Just because you know they’re receiving the best care and are in a safe environment, doesn’t mean they know they are.
But Yankee seemed to be an enigma. The sweet pup only got more social as time went on! He made a quick transition into his foster family and was truly the perfect addition.
Before and After
This before and after shot of Yankee is nothing short of awesome. It's hard to believe that these photos were taken only weeks apart. But it just goes to show how far a little compassion and kindness can go.
If it weren't for the amazing rescue volunteers, who knows what may have happened to Yankee. But now, this poodle has a new chance at life. We think his face says it all!
Meet Rosie, The Cute And Confused Mama
In October 2017, Rosie, a golden retriever mix, was disowned by her previous owners. She was left in a shelter visibly pregnant and close to birth. The shelter's manager feared for her health and for the fact that she would give birth without proper assistance.
Although shelters have drastically lowered their euthanization policies, most are overcrowded with dogs and do not have the resources to care for a new litter. Rosie needed caring owners now more than ever.
The Rescuers Swoop In
The shelter's manager called Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue, which helps dogs find homes in Raleigh, North Carolina. The rescuers had to work fast to get Rosie settled before childbirth.
Neuse River is an organization dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of golden retrievers. Volunteers foster stray or abandoned dogs until they are well enough to be adopted. Fortunately for Rosie, the organization's members knew a couple who could care for her individual needs.
Help Is On The Way
A Neuse volunteer picked up Rosie from the shelter the morning after the call. By this time, Rosie appeared so close to birth that the volunteer worried she would go into labor on the drive to the Raleigh Vet Clinic.
The volunteer checked Rosie into the clinic, where vets determined that she was healthy. The rescuer's next task was to find Rosie a foster family who could assist her birth.
John And Katie Black To The Rescue
Katie and John Black have fostered over 20 dogs since 2009, and owned three dogs of their own: Annie, Leroy, and Winchester. The volunteer knew that John and Katie had the experience necessary to foster both Rosie and her pups.
The couple had worked with Neuse River for years and excitedly took in Rosie. They brought her home on October 28, 2017, five days after Rosie was dropped off at the shelter.
Rosie Adjusted Well
The Blacks received Rosie just five days after she was dropped off at the shelter. "This is our new foster Rosie," the Blacks reported on their Instagram, "who is very preggers and close to delivering her puppies."
The couple revealed that Rosie seemed shy and scared, but was otherwise very sweet. When the time came, Katie and John Black helped Rosie successfully give birth. They met Rosie's four healthy pups and a surprise that captivated the internet.
Rosie Gives Birth
John and Kate helped Rosie deliver her pups. Although it had its difficulties, both mother and puppies can out fine. All the puppies were the right size and weight for her breed...or what everyone assumed was Rosie's breed.
The couple expected a large litter since Rosie appeared so big. Although average litters consist of five or six puppies, Rosie only gave birth to four. But that wasn't the only surprise that hit the Blacks.
"Not Quite The Puppy Pile We Were Expecting."
"Our foster dog and Golden mix gave birth yesterday," Katie said. "To baby cows." The four pups looked nothing like their mother, and all had black spots. Although no one knows what breed the father was, he clearly wasn't a Golden retriever.
The Blacks named the newborn pups Daisy, Clarabelle, Betsy, and Moo. The family photos not only received jokes online but also from the Blacks' family. "My dad laughed for quite a while at the photos," Katie told the Press Association in November 2017.
Cow Puppies' Father Could Be...
Several dog breeds have white fur with black spots, so it's hard to determine which breed the father was. Like Rosie, he could have been a mix. But that doesn't stop internet users from speculating on which breed Rosie mated with.
Theories vary from a dalmatian, English setter, bluetick coonhound, and wetterhoun. However, only dalmatians have a true "spot" design. Every other fur pattern is "ticking," which are small, isolated areas of tiny dots. So dalmatian is a likely choice.
Rosie's Litter
Katie said that her dad loved the mismatch so much that he recommended posting it online. He joked that the pictures would go viral, and Katie agreed to add photos to Reddit. Father Black was right--the new mom took the internet by storm.
In the picture, Rosie appears just as confused as the Reddit users. The image received over 90,000 upvotes and 1,600 comments asking about the new family. This attention skyrocketed when the Blacks posted on Instagram.
They Look Like Their Dad!
According to the Nest, puppies inherit certain traits depending on which genes the parents carry. Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute claims that "Dominant genes always outranks recessive ones," which determines a dog's appearance.
It's safe to say that Rosie passed on recessive genes, and the father offered dominant genes. By chance, all of her puppies took on the physical traits of the father. The explanation makes the pair no less amusing, though.
The Internet Got A Kick Out Of It
Redditors flocked over the spotted puppies and visibly astonished Golden Retriever mom. Users attempted to translate Rosie's expression as best they could. "I believe there's been a mixpup here," one user quipped.
Other users claimed that she appeared like she was mentally defending her pups. According to one user, Rosie's face said, "so what?!?! is that really such a big deal? are you sooo closed minded? really Karen?"
Kate Has To Defend Herself
Alongside the positive attention, some users were concerned that Kate and John had intentionally bred two foster rescues. Kate clarified that they had received Rosie already pregnant. "We weren't going to abort her puppies," she commented. "She will be spayed immediately when she can be."
Since John and Kate already owned three rescue dogs, they intended to adopt Rosie as soon as she and her litter recovered. They wouldn't have to wait long, but it did take some work.
But Rosie Wasn't Doing So Well
Although the birth was successful, Rosie suffered some ill health. After the delivery, the Blacks realized that Rosie had an infection. They took her to the vet, who administered antibiotics for several weeks.
Rosie likely suffered from a bacterial infection in the uterus called Metritis, which happens after a rough birth. The symptoms could cause Rosie to reduce milk production and not be able to care for her puppies. Fortunately, she had Kate and John.
Kate And John Help Rosie Heal
While Rosie was recovering, the Blacks helped her by bottle feeding the pups. They were truly in love with each puppy, especially when they held them in their hands. Although they knew they couldn't keep them, John and Kate cared for the pups as if they were their own.
Fortunately, Rosie healed in time. She eventually fed her puppies herself, and returned to being a happy, healthy mama. Her puppies also grew up with few complications.
Rosie Became A Good Mama
While social media users all pondered the strange relation, Rosie didn't seem to mind one bit. She remained protective over her pups and cuddled beside them for weeks. Moo, Betsy, Daisy, and Clarabelle all grew up healthy.
"She is one proud mama," explained Kate. According to Instagram, Rosie would go wherever her pups were. When Kate moved the puppies to clean sheets in a laundry basket, Rosie hopped in after them.
As It Turns Out, This Isn't Uncommon
Pets4Homes authors reveal that puppies appearing different from their parents or littermates happens commonly among dogs, especially concerning mixed breeds. "When it comes to non-pedigree dogs...there is a lot more scope for variance, to the point that color and other manifestations of physical appearance can be quite variable within the same litter."
What fascinates onlookers is that all of Rosie's pups look like cows, and none of them even looked like dogs at first. As they grew up, they fit their form as dogs.
The Pups Are In Good Paws
Kate and John not only took great care of the puppies, but they kept the family's biggest fans in the loop. They updated their Instagram page consistently to let everyone follow the cow puppies' growth.
The puppies always hung around Rosie, often sleeping on her paws. The Blacks shared that Clarabelle showed her true colors early, being the loudest of the pups. As the mini-cows grew, their personalities shone through.
The Cows Grew Bigger In A Couple Of Weeks
By early December 2017, the pups celebrated their birthday of only a couple of weeks. Even by then, they developed individual personalities. On December 6th, Kate updated Instagram on the cow puppies.
"Daisy is a sweetheart, but a little anxious/shy/hesitant/fearful. Clarabelle is a hilarious, fearless spitfire. Moo is a snuggly baby that likes to be held, and cries when he wants attention. [Betsy is] the sweetest and most gentle puppy, I want to keep her!"
The Pups Part Ways
By the first week of January 2018, two different families adopted Betsy and Clarabelle. Although the Blacks felt sad to see them go, they ensured that each cow pup would receive the love and attention they deserved.
Daisy also got adopted, and her new family renamed her to Lily. Later, Moo gained a new home and a new name, Barkley. Moo, along with his new siblings Max, Mo, and Abby, all have their own Instagram account.
Rosie's Pups Went To Good Homes
Rosie also entered a forever home. Although John and Kate will be sad to see Rosie leave, she will join a new family who won't abandon her. Everyone knows that this will be better for her in the long run.
Once Rosie was well enough, John and Kate had her spayed. She can no longer have puppies. But all dogs were sent to a loving home, which is the best outcome you could hope for!
