When we want something really bad, we tend to do almost impossible things to get it. To Alex Wildee, adopting dogs has always been a passion, a lifestyle she chose. If there was a dog in need, and Alex was interested, she would go on and beyond to reach him.
Even if it takes driving all the way from Colorado to Texas!
Yes, Alex is prone to such unusual rescues.
But, sometimes, it’s not the situation or the location that makes Alex move and go on an adoption spree. Sometimes it’s the dog.
When she heard about a lovely Catahoula mix mommy-to-be, that was about to be put on the death row, Alex knew she had to do something. A few lives were at stake. Something had to be done.
Shortly before the adoption process was finished, Arizona, the Catahoula mix mom waiting to be adopted, was blessed with a litter of puppies.
Photo from: iheartdogs.com
When mommy and her three-day-old puppies finally arrived at Wildee’s house, she hopelessly fell in love with them.
Photo from: iheartdogs.com
But, it was then when she noticed one of the puppies was not like the others. Something was wrong with a pup named Dakota. Apparently, the puppy was a litter runt, and he had a long way to catch up with his littermates.
Photo from: iheartdogs.com
It took a lot of dedication and Wildee’s time to bring Dakota on the right path, to make him like his brothers and sisters. Little by little, Dakota grew stronger, but Alex will soon find out that he wasn’t definitely like his siblings. Something else was odd with this pup.
Photo from: iheartdogs.com
Dakota was cautious. He wasn’t playful like his brothers and sisters. It seemed like he didn’t see well. And Wildee’s predictions turned out to be right. Dakota had visual impairment.
Photo from: iheartdogs.com
Dakota wasn’t just visually impaired. He was severely defected, seeing only shadows and light. On top of everything, the pup was also deaf. Alex knew it will be hard to find a furever home dor Dakota. Rarely does anyone want a pup with special needs.
She knew she had to be there for Dakota.
Fortunately, as Dakota grew up, he proved he can tackle the big, scary world. He became a happy pup, always showing he’s happy to be alive.
Photo from: iheartdogs.com
“He is such a happy, playful puppy and keeps up just fine with his siblings! He is also so smart and was the only one of his litter to figure out how to escape the puppy pen – which took a couple of years off of my life!” said Wildee for IHeartDogs.
Photo from: iheartdogs.com
Unfortunately, Wildee’s predictions came true. When the adoption time came, no one was interested in Dakota. His littermates were blessed to find their furever homes rather fast. But, what will happen to poor Dakota?
Photo from: iheartdogs.com
“He loves to snuggle and often falls asleep in our arms,” Wildee said. “He’s a silly happy boy, and I know his perfect people are out there looking for him.”
Photo from: iheartdogs.com
After all, Dakota did have some fortune in his life. The story of his rescue went viral. Only three weeks after his brothers and sisters were adopted, Dakota finally got the call everyone’s been looking for. There were pawrents waiting for Dakota!
Photo from: iheartdogs.com
What blew everyone’s mind is that Dakota’s new family knew exactly what it’s like to live with a disability. They knew how it’s like to be visually impaired, because Dakota’s new dad was partially blind too.
They couldn’t find a better fit for Dakota!
Photo from: iheartdogs.com
When this Denver couple heard of Dakota’s story, they knew in their hearts this was a pup that belonged in their family.
Photo from: iheartdogs.com
The bond was forged instantly. Seeing Dakota playing with his new siblings makes you think he really found the right place under the sun for him.
As for the once death-row mommy, Arizona now lives a very happy life with her pawrents.
Photo from: iheartdogs.com
Thanks to Alex Wildee, six families now know what it’s like to be unconditionally loved by dogs.
