This Giving Tuesday, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the incredible journeys of our foster pups. These milestones, big and small, remind us why rescue work is so important. Each dog’s story is unique, but they all share one thing in common: the transformative power of love, patience, and a supportive community.
Nikki: Learning to Trust
For anyone who’s ever been part of Nikki’s story, her progress has been nothing short of miraculous. Nikki came to the rescue in late February of 2024, surrendered by a breeder, with a world that had always been incredibly small.
Understanding life with humans has been a slow and steady journey for this sweet angel girl. Nikki has never taken food from her dog mom’s hands, won’t eat in front of them, and spends her days tucked away in another room. The floor is lava to her; she moves only between the couch, her crate, and the backyard, keeping her distance while watching cautiously from afar.
But recently, her adopters are celebrating a huge win: Nikki willingly got off the couch and walked over to ask for pets. A seemingly simple moment, but for Nikki, it’s monumental—a sign of trust she’s never shown before. Lucky for us, it was all caught on video… cue the tears!
Figgy: From Fearful to Fearless
When Figgy joined us in September of 2024, her life had been anything but easy. She spent most of her time outside in the extreme Texas heat, confined to a kennel. Understandably, she was terrified of being left alone outside, even to potty. It wasn’t until mid-October that she finally gained enough trust to venture into the backyard on her own.
Now, Figgy not only goes outside confidently—she’s smart enough to turn the back doorknob to let herself out!
When Figgy first arrived, she was a ball of untrained energy: jumping on people (sometimes knocking them over), giving “love nips,” and counter surfing with abandon. Thanks to Josh at The Velvet Snout, Figgy has made incredible progress. She now knows how to sit, stay, and heel.
Of course, Figgy’s intelligence means she’s always testing the limits, looking for the “weak link” in her human pack to let her run wild. But with continued guidance and training, she’s well on her way to becoming a well-mannered pup and a shining example of the transformative power of love and patience.
Majesty’s Fresh Start
Majesty and her brother, Mighty, were found wandering the streets of Stone Oak (San Antonio). When DDR took Majesty in, she was in rough shape—severely matted, lethargic, suffering from a terrible UTI, and constantly dribbling. If you’ve been following her story, you might remember her stylish diapers that she wore for over two months. After several vet visits, it was discovered that Majesty had an underdeveloped kidney and a severely dilated ureter.
Following a quick surgery to remove the problematic kidney and ureter, Majesty transformed into a completely different dog! Her energy levels soared, keeping her Foster Mama on her toes as her playful puppy personality emerged. She also ditched the diapers and has been dribble-free for almost a month! Thanks to the time, resources, investment, and love from the entire DDR community, this sweet girl has been given a fresh start. Majesty and her Foster Mom are eternally grateful to everyone who supported her journey to becoming the best princess she can be!
Because of supporters like you, pups like Nikki learn to trust, Figgy finds confidence, and Majesty gets a second chance at life. Together, we’re not just rescuing dogs—we’re transforming lives, one milestone at a time.
This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to celebrate these victories with us. Whether it’s through a donating, fostering, or simply sharing these stories, you’re a vital part of these pups’ journeys. Together, we’re making a difference, one milestone at a time.