Bridgette the Chihuahua was homeless, covered in fleas, and pregnant.
In the 100-degree heat of a Los Angeles summer, Bridgette was cast out on the streets. Days before being taken in by the Forgotten Dog Foundation, she had been taken into the home of a local resident – but tragedy ensued.
The resident’s landlord realized the dog was there and also realized she was treated with a lice bath rather than a flea bath! Poor Bridgette smelled of chemicals.
“Our vet office immediately bathed her multiple times and treated her for fleas with a product that is safe for pregnant moms,” Linzi Glass, executive director of The Forgotten Dog Foundation, told The Dodo. “Fortunately no harm was done to the puppies from this, nor did it harm Bridgette.”
Luckily things changed for the better for Bridgette…
“It was very obvious to anyone that saw her that she was VERY pregnant,” Linzi Glass said. “She had a huge abdomen. She was only a few days away from giving birth when we got her.”
Once Bridgette was in a safe location with a foster family, she was ready to give birth.
She had four beautiful puppies!
Unfortunately, Bridget is not the only homeless chihuahua trying to get by on the streets of California. Of all the dogs in California shelters, it is estimated that half are chihuahuas.
“Chihuahuas originated from the state of Chihuahua in Mexico, and made their way across the border,” Glass explained. “There are so many in California because many of them do not get spayed/neutered, like Bridgette.”
Luckily, Bridgette was one of the success stories. Now her puppies will have a chance to be adopted and live in forever homes once they reach 12 weeks.
For now, Bridgette is nursing and caring for her puppies in a comfortable bed. She eats well and is getting stronger every day.
“We are feeding her four times a day, a combination of wet high-calorie puppy food, chicken and rice and puppy kibble,” Glass said.
“Bridgette was wandering the streets of LA with no place to safely have her babies,” The Forgotten Dog Foundation wrote on Facebook. “[But now] she is getting all the good food and care that she needs!”
If you live in Southern California and are interested in adopting Bridgette or one of her puppies, fill out an application. You can also make a donation to The Forgotten Dog Foundation if adopting is not an option for you!
Source: The Dodo
