She’s barely recognizable now—in the best possible way.
When a small, frightened puppy was spotted trembling on a beach in Saipan, it was clear she had been through more than any dog ever should.
She was malnourished, dehydrated, covered in mange, and utterly terrified of human contact. Locals who saw her knew she needed help fast—and they called the right person.
Enter Aria Keilbach, founder of Boonie Babies Rescue, who wasted no time.
“I got to the beach in about five minutes,” Keilbach told The Dodo. “She was weak, exhausted from the heat and dehydration. She had a collar, so I suspect she was just dumped there—something that unfortunately happens a lot on this beach. But it was clear she’d been suffering for weeks.”
The tiny pup, later named Squishy, was in survival mode. She barked, snapped, and recoiled at anyone who came near. But her frailty gave rescuers a window of opportunity. With a gentle towel and steady hands, Keilbach scooped her up and brought her to safety.
At first, Squishy didn’t know how to respond to kindness. She growled and kept her guard up—but it didn’t take long for her to realize these people were different.
“Just a few hours after I brought her home, she stopped growling and started wagging her tail,” Keilbach said. “By that night, she was cautiously accepting pets and even giving little kisses.”
What followed was nothing short of a miracle.
With proper care, love, and a safe space to heal, Squishy underwent an extraordinary transformation. Her fur grew back, her eyes brightened, and her spirit reignited. She went from scared and defensive to joyful, curious, and full of life.
“As amazing as her physical transformation has been, watching her personality bloom has been even more rewarding,” Keilbach said. “She’s confident, incredibly sweet, smart, and loves to learn. Her favorite thing in the world? Earning treats!”
Usually, Keilbach nurses her rescues back to health and finds them loving forever homes. But with Squishy, something was different.
“I’ve rescued over 300 dogs here on Saipan, but none have stolen my heart like Squishy has,” she said. “She’s staying with me—for good.”
Once abandoned and afraid, Squishy is now living her fairytale ending as a beloved, permanent member of the Boonie Babies Rescue team.
From beachside heartbreak to a life filled with love and adventure—Squishy’s story is a powerful reminder that even the most broken souls can heal, with just a little kindness.
If you'd like to help other dogs like Squishy, you can donate to Boonie Babies Rescue.
