New Home & Getting Acquainted

On Friday, February 7, I first laid eyes on her face—barely visible beneath a curtain of overgrown hair—on the Always & Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary website. The photo was blurry, the name beneath it read “Twiggy,” and yet... I knew. This scruffy little mystery dog stirred something in my heart.

For months, I had been searching for a medium-sized, fuzzy-faced girl to welcome into my home—and my life. After reaching out, the shelter sent more photos. They told me she had been picked up as a stray on a very cold January day, weighing only 17 lbs. Her coat was matted and covered in urine and feces and had to be shaved. She spent the first week being treated for severe dehydration and malnutrition. Despite her rough shape, I applied to adopt her before I went to bed that night.

The next day, my phone rang. Beth from the sanctuary told me Twiggy’s condition was stable but fragile. Because of her weight and health, they couldn’t spay her just yet, but I was welcome to come get her right away. I was surprised—and grateful.

On Tuesday, February 11, I drove the 60 miles from Topeka to Olathe, Kansas, buzzing with excitement. When I arrived at her foster mom’s house, I was met with the sight of a fragile little girl scampering around in a diaper. Twiggy wasn’t shy—she soaked up all the attention like sunshine. After chatting, we bundled her up in a winter coat, packed up her supplies and headed home.

The next day, snow blanketed the ground. I began treating Twiggy like a new puppy—gentle potty routines, warm meals, and lots of affection. She quickly made herself at home, curling up in a lounge chair with her squeaky Lamb Chop toy and gazing at me with soulful brown eyes that said, “Thank you.” She was still so skinny, her body nearly hairless, but I saw the beauty in her from the start. I bought her a fuzzy pink coat to keep her warm while her body healed.

The next  week, we visited my vet where she weighed in at 30 lbs and got her booster shots. Slowly but surely, she was gaining some weight and strength. 

The following week, we went to our first Puppy Class at Helping Hands Humane Shelter. The last 5-10 minutes of each class, I was told to drop the leash. I couldn’t believe it, but it was amazing! Twiggy didn’t quite know what to make of the bouncing chaos of other pups, and stayed close to me, hugging my leg like a shy child on the first day of school. But within a few sessions, she was romping and playing—her personality blooming right before my eyes.

And as if life wanted to remind me that we were in a true season of transition, my kitchen pipes froze the very next day! But even through the cold and the chaos, I felt warm and loved.

Our journey together was just beginning—but in just one month, she had already filled my home with hope, healing, and love. I feel so blessed to have her.

💗Stay tuned for the next chapter in Tessa’s Corner!