In mid-September, on a busy Brooklyn sidewalk, a collapsed dog caught the attention of passersby. Motionless and heartbreakingly thin, many feared the worst — but miraculously, the fragile dog was still alive.
Word about the dog, later named Feisty, quickly spread online. When Second Chance Rescue caught wind of her situation, they knew they had to act fast. With the help of a Good Samaritan, Feisty was rushed to an emergency hospital, where she was immediately given fluids, antibiotics, and pain relief.
She was in critical condition, and her rescuers weren’t sure she’d survive the night.
“She was in terrible condition: sickly, dehydrated, and malnourished, with clumps of hair missing,” said Rachel Larkin, director of social media for Second Chance Rescue. “She was covered in urine and fleas, and her nails were so overgrown they had embedded into her paw pads. But the biggest concern was the masses on her body — we didn’t know if they were cancerous.”
Despite her suffering, Feisty’s spirit never wavered. From the moment she was rescued, she radiated love and gratitude.
“Feisty was pure love from the moment she was found laid out on that sidewalk,” Larkin said. “When our volunteers visited her the next morning, she greeted them with gentle kisses and a wagging, hairless tail that just wouldn’t quit.”
Initially, everyone braced themselves for the worst, believing Feisty would live out her remaining days in comfort as a hospice foster. Her foster family embraced her fully, ready to love her for however long she had left.
Then, the miracle news came: Feisty’s biopsies revealed that her masses were benign. She didn’t have cancer after all.
“By the next morning, Feisty’s fospice parents had already asked for adoption papers,” Larkin shared. “They knew she was already home.”
Now known affectionately as FeeFee, Feisty has blossomed into a lively, joyful senior girl. She spends her days lounging with her adoring family, soaking up attention, and meeting new friends on walks.
“FeeFee is coming out of her shell,” said Ursula Schmidt, Feisty’s mom. “She’s begun to bark and (very politely) demand cuddles, food, and attention. She LOVES meeting new people and makes sure to greet everyone during walks.”
From abandoned and unseen on a city sidewalk to cherished and celebrated every single day, Feisty’s story is a powerful reminder that love can truly change everything.
If you’d like to help more dogs like Feisty find their second chance, consider donating to Second Chance Rescue here.
