The puppies we rescue often have a rough start at life. Keaton’s story isn’t any different. We met her at animal control, where she broke with parvo, a highly contagious viral illness that affects puppies between 6 weeks and 6 months of age. She needed medical help immediately, so we pulled her and sent her straight to the vet. Keaton spent her first week in rescue fighting for her life at the vet. But after a week, she was released into a foster home. Her foster, Teresa Miller, had no idea what to expect bringing a ‘parvo positive’ dog into her home. But after meeting her, she had no regrets with her decision. She fell in love. When Teresa first picked Keaton up, she was stinky, shaking, and timid. In addition to parvo, she had a respiratory infection. Her skin was very dry and flaky, and she had fleas. But after a few baths and meals, she began to relax and her personality started to come through. Teresa loves how cuddly and affectionate she is. She laughs when she carries “trophies” around in her mouth, like sticks and leaves. Keaton even picks up newspapers (which are as big as she is) and delivers them to her neighbors’ porches. 
She is only three months old, but Keaton has the heart of a lion. In her short life, she’s already escaped death twice; once at AC and then surviving parvo. And she improves the lives of everyone around her with her playful, spunky personality. Teresa says the hardest part about fostering is letting them go, but there’s one thing that makes it all worth it: being a part of another family’s happily ever after. “As a foster, I get to help people complete their families. I started fostering because I wanted to help animals. It didn’t cross my mind that I would be helping people too. My first foster was adopted by a family with three young children. It feels amazing to know that they will grow up with fond memories of that dog, and that I helped to bring them together.” Teresa is excited to see Keaton grow old with her own family, as well! Keaton is available for adoption and looking for her forever home. If you’d like to learn more about Keaton, click here. To make the difference in the lives of animals like Keaton, learn more about fostering by clicking here.
The Heart of a Lion: Teresa and Keaton’s Story
