On November 28th, a unique puppy marked a remarkable achievement. Her name is Sasha, and on that happy day, she turned 12 weeks old.
For most puppies, reaching three months of age is a standard occurrence, often taken for granted. But Sasha’s journey has been different. Born with hydrocephalus, as well as a cleft lip and cleft palate, every day is a blessing for her.
Since her birth, Sasha has been under the care of Marie DeMarco, a special needs cat rescuer. DeMarco’s rescue organization, FURRR 911, which stands for Felines Urgently Rescued, Rehabilitated, and Rehomed, specializes in raising orphaned kittens with a bottle and caring for cats that are ill, injured, or have special needs. DeMarco refers to these critical cases as “perfectly imperfect”. When she encountered Sasha, she realized that the pup would fit in perfectly, despite being a dog.
“She has been a fighter from day one and has surmounted multiple obstacles in her short time on this planet,” DeMarco wrote on Facebook. “As her foster mom, I have worried and fretted, lost lots of sleep, gained several new grey hairs, but none of that matters when I look into her eyes.”
The little pup currently weighs just over two pounds, a noteworthy accomplishment considering the recent health scare she faced. Upper respiratory infections are prevalent in puppies born with cleft palates, and Sasha faced a tough one. She displayed symptoms such as fever, nasal congestion, vomiting, an infected eye, and weight loss.
At just over a pound, losing any more weight was not an option for Sasha. DeMarco became even more worried when, despite receiving antibiotics, Sasha remained weak and unresponsive. Her temperature stabilized, but the delicate pup was still lacking energy, unsteady on her feet, and not eating. This prompted DeMarco to take her to a neurologist for further evaluation.
“Sasha is a very quiet and reserved puppy,” the woman said. “Not your typical puppy at all. She prefers to sit right next to or on top of my foot.”
Thanks to the specialist’s advice and a dedicated daily regimen of medications, fluid therapy, and tube feedings, Sasha gradually improved. By the time she reached her 12-week birthday, she had fully regained her playful, affectionate personality.
“This puppy is a true inspiration,” DeMarco said. “Despite her congenital deformities and medical condition, Sasha proves to be a fighter with a strong will to survive.”
Sasha faced a challenging journey with uncertain outcomes, but she was surrounded by immense love, dedication, and support. Despite her birth defects and medical condition, Sasha showed that she was a fighter with a resilient spirit. Sadly, Sasha passed away in March 2018, shortly after turning six months old. During her short life, she brought love and joy to her human, canine, and feline friends.
Thank you for showing your love and compassion for this vulnerable little creature!
