A tiny puppy named “Million Dollar Baby” — or simply Baby — is living up to her remarkable name after surviving against incredible odds. When rescuers first found her, she weighed only a few pounds and was fighting for her life.
Barely two months old, Baby was saved just in time from Austin’s municipal shelter and rushed to Austin Pets Alive! (APA!). When she arrived, the frail little pup was in agony — her body covered in fractures, her bones fragile from severe malnutrition and dangerously low calcium levels.
“She’s such a fighter,” said Dr. Rachel Gordon, a veterinarian with APA! who took Baby home to foster and monitor her recovery. “Despite her multiple fractures, she’s such a happy little puppy and shows gratitude in everything that’s done for her.”
A heartbreaking beginning
Baby’s condition told a silent story of neglect. It’s unclear how she ended up at the shelter, but her brittle bones and emaciated frame made it clear she had suffered from chronic poor care. Too weak to chew solid food, she now relies on syringe-fed meals, which she eagerly laps up several times a day.
Yet, through it all, Baby’s spirit has never dimmed.
Fighting for her second chance
At Dr. Gordon’s home, Baby receives constant attention — round-the-clock feedings, medication, and calcium supplements three times daily to help rebuild her strength.
“She takes all her medicine without fuss,” Gordon said proudly. “She’s just so trusting and sweet.”
The recovery journey will be a long one. Gordon estimates it could take two to three months before Baby can walk again, but already, there are signs of progress.
“This will be a very long road until she’s able to move around on her own,” Gordon shared. “But I’m happy with how far she’s come already. She loves interacting with my dogs behind the baby gate, and my cat Finn has become her little helper nurse.”
The cost of survival
APA! expects Baby’s full recovery to cost around $2,000, money the nonprofit hopes to raise through community donations. The organization specializes in rescuing animals with severe medical or behavioral challenges — giving dogs like Baby the second chance they deserve.
Despite everything she’s endured, Baby has a bright future ahead. With love, patience, and care, she’s proving every day why she truly is a “Million Dollar Baby.”