“The Cutest” has been crowned again.
The 6-year-old Keeshond triumphed over nearly 7,000 other adorable dogs to win this year’s contest.Her grand prize includesan appearance on theTODAYshow, a year’s supply of dog food from PEDIGREE, and a $1,000 donation to theKeeshond Affiliated Rescuers of the Mid-Atlantic(KARMA).
Kasey and her family chose to give the donation to KARMA in order to help other Keeshonds escape dark realities like the one Kasey was rescued from.
“We learned about this puppy mill in upstate New York, where at one time there were over 100 Keeshonds,” Cosgrove told PEOPLE of the rescue network.
Winnie Au
Over time, several of the rescuers in the network were able to convince the puppy mill operator to slowly surrender their dogs a few at a time. Kasey was one of the dogs given to the group in 2016. She left behind a life of being repeatedly bred, neglected and left outside in the elements 24/7.
In an effort to help the rescue network, Cosgrove volunteered to foster Kasey until a forever home could be found for her.
“Of course, as soon as we got her, we knew that she wasn’t going to leave us,” Cosgrove says.
Cosgrove and her family adopted Kasey and set to work introducing the skittish canine to a new, loving normal.
“She would cower in the corner. She didn’t want to be touched or approached. She was just so terrified of people,” Cosgrove says of Kasey’s first few days at home. “For several weeks she would just fall asleep sitting up. She couldn’t relax enough to lay down. It was heartbreaking.”
In the months following her adoption, Kasey, who arrived at her new home covered in bald spots, began to relax and accept affection from her family. Today, the “playful” pooch approaches new people for attention, loves toys, wags her tail and has a full, fluffy coat that attracts many admirers.
“Kids always want to come over and pet her because she is so fluffy,” Cosgrove says, which is great for Kasey since she has developed “a connection with kids.”
“It was about time and patience. It was making sure we didn’t approach her too quickly,” the 40-pound pup’s owner adds on what it took help Kasey become the “carefree” and “happy” dog she is today.
“We took her lead. I read up on a lot things about puppy mill dogs and how to help them acclimate to family life. They are always going to have something that scares them. We just love her, quirks and all.”
Cosgrove hopes that Kasey’s story inspires others to take the time to save a dog from a “really abusive situation” and put in the effort required to give them a full, enriching and love-drenched life.
“They are worth it,” she added.
Part of the experience that has stuck with Cosgrove is how quickly dogs forgive.
“For all those people who failed her, she still has this power of forgiveness. It’s amazing,” Cosgrove said, adding that all rescue pets “are supposed to be loved.”
JOHN
Shortly after John was born at a backyard breeding operation in Texas, the little French bulldog was brought to a vet to be euthanized because he had a rare skin condition which made him hard to sell. Fortunately, theDog Ranch Rescuein Anna, Texas, took him in, and Mary Jones, 66, a rescue volunteer and retired vet tech, adopted the now year-old pup last spring. Since then Jones has gotten treatment for John’s skin condition, which veterinarian diagnosed as inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus (ILVEN). There is no cure for John’s ILVEN, which causes excess skin growth, but the condition is now being managed to the point where it doesn’t slow John down. “He’s doing super now. He’s a happy-go-lucky, typical Frenchie,” Jones told PEOPLE.
AUGIE
source: people.com
