Foster Mom Refuses To Put Her Tiny Pit Bull To Sleep After It Was Born A Little Bit Different
When a nurse practitioner in Westchester County, New York, welcomed a tiny newborn pit bull just barely clinging to life into her home, she knew there was an uphill struggle ahead of her. Marie DeMarco loved little Sasha all the same, though, and that love is what’s pulling both of them through.
Born in early September with an obvious cleft lip and palette, Sasha was unable to nurse, and was already at risk of death on her very first day of life. Animal rescuer Courtney Bellew was called, and after recognizing Sasha’s need for urgent care, she brought the poor thing to DeMarco, who had extensive experience nursing ill kittens. It was then discovered that Sasha also suffered from hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the skull), an upper respiratory infection, a urinary tract infection, and orthopedic issues.
“She has an amazing will and determination,” DeMarco told The Dodo. “Through all this, she really shouldn’t be here.”
Despite Sasha’s harrowing first 3 and a half months, she’s getting stronger every day, and even gets to wear adorable dresses and sweaters to stay warm. Scroll down to learn more about Sasha’s story, and keep track of her progress on the official Facebook pages for FURRR 911 (Marie DeMarco’s rescue agency) and SNARR Animal Rescue Northeast.
Meet Sasha, a 3-month-old pit bull who is defying all odds in her struggle to stay alive
Image credits: furrr911
Little Sasha’s life got off to a rough start, as she was born with cleft lip and palette, making her unable to nurse
Image credits: S.N.A.R.R Animal Rescue Northeast
Animal rescuer Courtney Bellew saw her need for urgent care, and placed her with nurse Marie DeMarco
Image credits: S.N.A.R.R Animal Rescue Northeast
The bad news? Sasha also had fluid in her brain, as well as respiratory, urinary and orthopedic issues
Image credits: Penny The Peanut Pibble
The good news? DeMarco, who was experienced in caring for ill kittens, was prepared to help
Image credits: Penny The Peanut Pibble
3 and a half months into her life, Sasha is getting stronger by day, and has even gained weight
Image credits: furrr911
She even gets to wear fabulous dresses and sweaters to keep her warm!
Image credits: furrr911
“She has an amazing will and determination,” DeMarco said. “Through all this, she really shouldn’t be here”
Image credits: furrr911
Perhaps the most important element in Sasha’s recovery has been the unconditional love surrounding her
Image credits: furrr911
“When I hold her and I’m kissing her, if I hold her near my face, she licks my nose”
Image credits: furrr911
Though Sasha has a long road ahead of her, she has all the support she needs to live as happily as other dogs
Image credits: furrr911
“She was dealt some bad cards in life… Boy, is she loved”
Image credits: furrr911
Some people left less-than-sensitive comments…
But DeMarco was quick to defend the bond between her and Sasha
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In case you've noticed that she kinda looks like a chihuahua, it's the hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the skull). That's really not uncommon in chihuahuas, and it does cause pain and loss of brain function, progressing through life. That's what inbreeding did.
Yes, this is a Chihuahua, it is not a pitbull. That being said she is adorable and deserves every chance at life. People are mean and obviously those who have anything bad to say have never loved a dog.
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I mean, I’m not really convinced that the kinder thing Would have been to put this (adorable) puppy to sleep. It really feels like to me that this poor guy is being kept alive for the sake of internet fame
That's what I've been saying! I see some stories of a similar kind when someone adopts an animal that is considered ugly, but is otherwise healthy, and that's totally fine, GOOD even, but when it comes to one who has the high potential of being in pain throughout it's life, it seems cruel to keep it alive if it's suffering.
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I'm afraid I'm in camp less-than-sensitiv. The poor dog. I really, really hope that when my dog, who I love more than life, is old and sick I'll be able to let her go before she suffers that much.
It's a hard thing to make that decision, but sometimes it's the kindest one. I have had to do it with my aged pets. It doesn't make you less sensitive, it means you're sensitive to your pet's overall quality of life.
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The takeaway from this is that people need to stop breeding chihuahuas AND pit bulls. Our animal shelters are packed with these dogs. If you want one, go adopt it! Chihuahuas are particularly tricky because there are so few bloodlines that independent breeders often end up with genetic abnormalities like stunted limbs and hydrocephalus. If you live in a part of the world where these dogs are not seriously stressing the ability of the animal shelters to keep them, then plan a trip to Arizona! AZ Animal Control probably had to put 100 of them "to sleep" in the time it took me to type this. DO NOT BREED PIT BULLS AND CHIHUAHUAS!!!
I should add boston terriers and american bull dogs. as sweet as they are, they’re very unhealthy and die young.
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Why you gotta do this, humanity? Why must you disrupt the laws of nature so? And isn't hydrocephalus a disease that often comes with pain and seizures or motor skill issues? Just saying, I hope that the puppy isn't in constant pain.
Disrupt the laws of nature? Humanity's ability to create different technologies is a natural adaptation, as is our far reaching need to take care of living things. Any way, if you're on a computer don't bemoan how other people are disrupting the laws of nature...go dig termites out of the ground with a twig instead.
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I don't know why there are a noticeable amount of people who think pit bulls are inherently violent here. They're not the most and only dangerous dog breed. They are one of quite a few with a very energetic, impulsive and somewhat rough temperament (the latter especially towards other dogs), but they aren't more aggressive if properly socialized and exercised. Most of the way they react to people will be down to training and socialization. They might not be the more "easy-going" family pet type, and would better suit someone very active or with a lot of room for them to run around in, but Pit Bull types aren't killing machines.
Markus, it's because there are people who do breed and train them exclusively to fight, incidents involving injuries started being reported more and more, and the media blew their aggressiveness out of proportion. A pit bull isn't my choice of dog, but I've seen some very well trained ones in my town.
Load More Replies... As an animal lover I believe that all lives are precious and should be saved. If this amazing woman wants to spend her time and resources helping out these little lives then its her choice. When death calls no amount of extraordinary care, effort, will get in her way. So if this puppy lives its because mother nature and her rescuer are working hand and hand to give her a second chance. My mother always says, people who do not get in the way of things are actually helping out. If you are not helping then don't judge or say anything negative.
Exactly. I hate to say I'm not at all surprised by the hateful and disparaging comments about this beautiful story. Seems to be the way of human nature now. Just uncaring, selfish and rude. Thank God for people like this woman.
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Get will soon Pup. I will pray for your fast recovery. Keep defying odds.
Bless you and Sasha. I agree - she deserves a chance at a happy life. I have found and I'm sure you have too that animals born different don't realize their challenges - they cope. There is no self pity, no anguish, just the will to survive and thrive. Merry Christmas!
I have an 11 year old Shih Tzu that we rescued .He was 3 weeks old and dying, since we rescued him he has had so many dificulties in life ,tonsils out , lupas ,stomach problems ,he will never suffer because we make sure of it and his Vet..if they have the will to live it worth it they have feeling just like us ..I will spend the rest of my furbabies life feeding him by hand and holding on to every moment with him <3
This lady has such a kind heart <3 I have so much respect for her!!!
If that's a pitbull then she's also suffering from some kind of dwarfism. She is way to small to be a 3 month old pit bull. Cute dog thought either way.
Cute little puppy, but feel more sorry about its head then the cleft, looks like it's suffering already from that big head...Hopefully it gets better when it´s grown up.
I think this is a very emotional decision. In the horse rescue world, it would be better if rescues took in old horses and euthanized them. Or, worse, critically ill horses that need surgery and little hope of soundness that should be euthanized. But often these same horses are used as calls to action because donations are driven by this sort of thing. Meanwhile the auction have kill buyers picking up sound, trained, perfectly usable horses that go straight to slaughter. It's sick and sad. If this lady wants to care for this dog it's her deal. I think that there are millions of healthy dogs going under the needle daily. (Hell, watch Hope for Paws on youtube, hundreds of people in densely populated L.A. ignore dogs who need help) Maybe if people took spaying and neutering seriously. The number of male dogs I see unneutered because some man is obsessed with his dogs testicle integrity leaves me stunned at the regular occurrence of stupidity. Quality of life is a key issue.
She put it beautifully. And I just think mother nature will have her way eventually with all of us.i like to think it would be better.
prayers for this sweet baby, thankful there are kind people to look after her and love her. She is the sweetest baby i think ive ever seen.
geez its a living breathing thing...just dont give up....you dont keep it alive if its suffering but if its loved and living and happy it doesnt know any different then to love and recieve love just like a human...so stop with all your negativity some of us are put on this earth with a desire to care for others and that is our purpose and yours may be something else. Everyone will not always agree but to say its for fame or that somehow this is not humane well that is just not so~
poor sweet heart. keep doing your amazing job and save these poor babies.
It says it's a dog but then later on it says they went to a vet who is luckily experienced with ill kittens? Lie it's not a bad thing but if it's a dog why is that part relevant??
The rescue started as a cat one; due to Sasha's small size the rescuer decided to foster her as well. She takes in all sorts of animals not just kittens any longer
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AttA kiddo...God bless you and your foster mom...have a wonderful new year to both of you... and go grow up to be a lovable pet....we love you!!!
I cried looking at Sasha. With great hope that she will live a full and wonderful life. All dogs are our friends. please don't let them down.
I just adore people like DeMarco. There is no way I could ever give up on Sasha. Just look at that precious face. Landlords make it really impossible to be a foster family..T the number one condition is NO PETS< period
Sasha, you beautiful little girl, I wish every dog and cat could have the love you have.
Oh come on, dogs don't need sweaters or any clothing unless they've got skin problems that make them sensitive to temperature. They've got fur(and this dog looks healthy in terms of her skin).
I think it is bad that the vet wanted to put it down. It is so adorbs!
Helping those born less than what is seen as perfect is what humanity is all about - we are not building some sort of Aryian utopia (and I say that for a reason) - we are accepting that we have the ability to not only save life, improve life expectancy, but to give love and joy to another member on our planet. If you think it is a waste of time to show kindness and love - well, that is the story that is actually quite sad. A woman cared enough to not to destroy a less than perfect puppy - perfection is not attainable - and ugliness is often interior and not exterior. A kind person who gives love to an animal of great spirit.
I assume she has no choice but to live... as long as her heart and lungs are functioning. Wouldn't it drive you crazy to be fed round the clock, orally? How the heck do you know that she is not in pain? How do you know she's "healthy" or "happy"? Pain is probably all she's known. Hydrocephalus may be controlled, but does it stop the pain and brain dysfunction? How do you know she doesn't have a yeast infection that is driving her crazy from all the antibiotics. I'm sure she has no idea how to commit suicide... so she "thrives."
Personally, it's nobody's business but your own. I see a precious little life that has struggled and now may have the life she deserves. Haters are going to hate no matter the circumstances. I hope you keep sharing the pics so that we can see our little warrior enjoy life, no matter how long but how blessed. Thank you so very much for opening your hearts and helping a four legged angel!
I think this puppy deserves to have a good life, and this wonderfully caring woman's given him just THAT! Poor little guy is giving as much love as he's received from his momma Thank you dear lady for all you've done for this previous baby.
Never had a problem with a pitbull. I've had problems with just about every dog with a bad owner though. People get so high and mighty when every other dog can be violent when they're badly trained.
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She will grow up to be a normal caring dog cause she knows what she's talking about.
Load More Replies... In case you've noticed that she kinda looks like a chihuahua, it's the hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the skull). That's really not uncommon in chihuahuas, and it does cause pain and loss of brain function, progressing through life. That's what inbreeding did.
Yes, this is a Chihuahua, it is not a pitbull. That being said she is adorable and deserves every chance at life. People are mean and obviously those who have anything bad to say have never loved a dog.
Load More Replies... I mean, I’m not really convinced that the kinder thing Would have been to put this (adorable) puppy to sleep. It really feels like to me that this poor guy is being kept alive for the sake of internet fame
That's what I've been saying! I see some stories of a similar kind when someone adopts an animal that is considered ugly, but is otherwise healthy, and that's totally fine, GOOD even, but when it comes to one who has the high potential of being in pain throughout it's life, it seems cruel to keep it alive if it's suffering.
Load More Replies... I'm afraid I'm in camp less-than-sensitiv. The poor dog. I really, really hope that when my dog, who I love more than life, is old and sick I'll be able to let her go before she suffers that much.
It's a hard thing to make that decision, but sometimes it's the kindest one. I have had to do it with my aged pets. It doesn't make you less sensitive, it means you're sensitive to your pet's overall quality of life.
Load More Replies... The takeaway from this is that people need to stop breeding chihuahuas AND pit bulls. Our animal shelters are packed with these dogs. If you want one, go adopt it! Chihuahuas are particularly tricky because there are so few bloodlines that independent breeders often end up with genetic abnormalities like stunted limbs and hydrocephalus. If you live in a part of the world where these dogs are not seriously stressing the ability of the animal shelters to keep them, then plan a trip to Arizona! AZ Animal Control probably had to put 100 of them "to sleep" in the time it took me to type this. DO NOT BREED PIT BULLS AND CHIHUAHUAS!!!
I should add boston terriers and american bull dogs. as sweet as they are, they’re very unhealthy and die young.
Load More Replies... Why you gotta do this, humanity? Why must you disrupt the laws of nature so? And isn't hydrocephalus a disease that often comes with pain and seizures or motor skill issues? Just saying, I hope that the puppy isn't in constant pain.
Disrupt the laws of nature? Humanity's ability to create different technologies is a natural adaptation, as is our far reaching need to take care of living things. Any way, if you're on a computer don't bemoan how other people are disrupting the laws of nature...go dig termites out of the ground with a twig instead.
Load More Replies... I don't know why there are a noticeable amount of people who think pit bulls are inherently violent here. They're not the most and only dangerous dog breed. They are one of quite a few with a very energetic, impulsive and somewhat rough temperament (the latter especially towards other dogs), but they aren't more aggressive if properly socialized and exercised. Most of the way they react to people will be down to training and socialization. They might not be the more "easy-going" family pet type, and would better suit someone very active or with a lot of room for them to run around in, but Pit Bull types aren't killing machines.
Markus, it's because there are people who do breed and train them exclusively to fight, incidents involving injuries started being reported more and more, and the media blew their aggressiveness out of proportion. A pit bull isn't my choice of dog, but I've seen some very well trained ones in my town.
Load More Replies... As an animal lover I believe that all lives are precious and should be saved. If this amazing woman wants to spend her time and resources helping out these little lives then its her choice. When death calls no amount of extraordinary care, effort, will get in her way. So if this puppy lives its because mother nature and her rescuer are working hand and hand to give her a second chance. My mother always says, people who do not get in the way of things are actually helping out. If you are not helping then don't judge or say anything negative.
Exactly. I hate to say I'm not at all surprised by the hateful and disparaging comments about this beautiful story. Seems to be the way of human nature now. Just uncaring, selfish and rude. Thank God for people like this woman.
Load More Replies... Get will soon Pup. I will pray for your fast recovery. Keep defying odds.
Bless you and Sasha. I agree - she deserves a chance at a happy life. I have found and I'm sure you have too that animals born different don't realize their challenges - they cope. There is no self pity, no anguish, just the will to survive and thrive. Merry Christmas!
I have an 11 year old Shih Tzu that we rescued .He was 3 weeks old and dying, since we rescued him he has had so many dificulties in life ,tonsils out , lupas ,stomach problems ,he will never suffer because we make sure of it and his Vet..if they have the will to live it worth it they have feeling just like us ..I will spend the rest of my furbabies life feeding him by hand and holding on to every moment with him <3
This lady has such a kind heart <3 I have so much respect for her!!!
If that's a pitbull then she's also suffering from some kind of dwarfism. She is way to small to be a 3 month old pit bull. Cute dog thought either way.
Cute little puppy, but feel more sorry about its head then the cleft, looks like it's suffering already from that big head...Hopefully it gets better when it´s grown up.
I think this is a very emotional decision. In the horse rescue world, it would be better if rescues took in old horses and euthanized them. Or, worse, critically ill horses that need surgery and little hope of soundness that should be euthanized. But often these same horses are used as calls to action because donations are driven by this sort of thing. Meanwhile the auction have kill buyers picking up sound, trained, perfectly usable horses that go straight to slaughter. It's sick and sad. If this lady wants to care for this dog it's her deal. I think that there are millions of healthy dogs going under the needle daily. (Hell, watch Hope for Paws on youtube, hundreds of people in densely populated L.A. ignore dogs who need help) Maybe if people took spaying and neutering seriously. The number of male dogs I see unneutered because some man is obsessed with his dogs testicle integrity leaves me stunned at the regular occurrence of stupidity. Quality of life is a key issue.
She put it beautifully. And I just think mother nature will have her way eventually with all of us.i like to think it would be better.
prayers for this sweet baby, thankful there are kind people to look after her and love her. She is the sweetest baby i think ive ever seen.
geez its a living breathing thing...just dont give up....you dont keep it alive if its suffering but if its loved and living and happy it doesnt know any different then to love and recieve love just like a human...so stop with all your negativity some of us are put on this earth with a desire to care for others and that is our purpose and yours may be something else. Everyone will not always agree but to say its for fame or that somehow this is not humane well that is just not so~
poor sweet heart. keep doing your amazing job and save these poor babies.
It says it's a dog but then later on it says they went to a vet who is luckily experienced with ill kittens? Lie it's not a bad thing but if it's a dog why is that part relevant??
The rescue started as a cat one; due to Sasha's small size the rescuer decided to foster her as well. She takes in all sorts of animals not just kittens any longer
Load More Replies... AttA kiddo...God bless you and your foster mom...have a wonderful new year to both of you... and go grow up to be a lovable pet....we love you!!!
I cried looking at Sasha. With great hope that she will live a full and wonderful life. All dogs are our friends. please don't let them down.
I just adore people like DeMarco. There is no way I could ever give up on Sasha. Just look at that precious face. Landlords make it really impossible to be a foster family..T the number one condition is NO PETS< period
Sasha, you beautiful little girl, I wish every dog and cat could have the love you have.
Oh come on, dogs don't need sweaters or any clothing unless they've got skin problems that make them sensitive to temperature. They've got fur(and this dog looks healthy in terms of her skin).
I think it is bad that the vet wanted to put it down. It is so adorbs!
Helping those born less than what is seen as perfect is what humanity is all about - we are not building some sort of Aryian utopia (and I say that for a reason) - we are accepting that we have the ability to not only save life, improve life expectancy, but to give love and joy to another member on our planet. If you think it is a waste of time to show kindness and love - well, that is the story that is actually quite sad. A woman cared enough to not to destroy a less than perfect puppy - perfection is not attainable - and ugliness is often interior and not exterior. A kind person who gives love to an animal of great spirit.
I assume she has no choice but to live... as long as her heart and lungs are functioning. Wouldn't it drive you crazy to be fed round the clock, orally? How the heck do you know that she is not in pain? How do you know she's "healthy" or "happy"? Pain is probably all she's known. Hydrocephalus may be controlled, but does it stop the pain and brain dysfunction? How do you know she doesn't have a yeast infection that is driving her crazy from all the antibiotics. I'm sure she has no idea how to commit suicide... so she "thrives."
Personally, it's nobody's business but your own. I see a precious little life that has struggled and now may have the life she deserves. Haters are going to hate no matter the circumstances. I hope you keep sharing the pics so that we can see our little warrior enjoy life, no matter how long but how blessed. Thank you so very much for opening your hearts and helping a four legged angel!
I think this puppy deserves to have a good life, and this wonderfully caring woman's given him just THAT! Poor little guy is giving as much love as he's received from his momma Thank you dear lady for all you've done for this previous baby.
Never had a problem with a pitbull. I've had problems with just about every dog with a bad owner though. People get so high and mighty when every other dog can be violent when they're badly trained.
Load More Replies... She will grow up to be a normal caring dog cause she knows what she's talking about.
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