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Foster Mom Refuses To Put Her Tiny Pit Bull To Sleep After It Was Born A Little Bit Different

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When a nurse practitioner in Westchester County, New York, welcomed a tiny newborn pit bull just barely clinging to life into her home, she knew there was an uphill struggle ahead of her. Marie DeMarco loved little Sasha all the same, though, and that love is what’s pulling both of them through.

Born in early September with an obvious cleft lip and palette, Sasha was unable to nurse, and was already at risk of death on her very first day of life. Animal rescuer Courtney Bellew was called, and after recognizing Sasha’s need for urgent care, she brought the poor thing to DeMarco, who had extensive experience nursing ill kittens. It was then discovered that Sasha also suffered from hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the skull), an upper respiratory infection, a urinary tract infection, and orthopedic issues.

“She has an amazing will and determination,” DeMarco told The Dodo. “Through all this, she really shouldn’t be here.”

Despite Sasha’s harrowing first 3 and a half months, she’s getting stronger every day, and even gets to wear adorable dresses and sweaters to stay warm. Scroll down to learn more about Sasha’s story, and keep track of her progress on the official Facebook pages for FURRR 911 (Marie DeMarco’s rescue agency) and SNARR Animal Rescue Northeast.

Meet Sasha, a 3-month-old pit bull who is defying all odds in her struggle to stay alive

Foster Mom Refuses To Put Her Tiny Pit Bull To Sleep After It Was Born A Little Bit Different

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Image credits: furrr911

Little Sasha’s life got off to a rough start, as she was born with cleft lip and palette, making her unable to nurse

Foster Mom Refuses To Put Her Tiny Pit Bull To Sleep After It Was Born A Little Bit Different

Image credits: S.N.A.R.R Animal Rescue Northeast

Animal rescuer Courtney Bellew saw her need for urgent care, and placed her with nurse Marie DeMarco

Foster Mom Refuses To Put Her Tiny Pit Bull To Sleep After It Was Born A Little Bit Different

Image credits: S.N.A.R.R Animal Rescue Northeast

The bad news? Sasha also had fluid in her brain, as well as respiratory, urinary and orthopedic issues

Foster Mom Refuses To Put Her Tiny Pit Bull To Sleep After It Was Born A Little Bit Different

Image credits: Penny The Peanut Pibble

The good news? DeMarco, who was experienced in caring for ill kittens, was prepared to help

Foster Mom Refuses To Put Her Tiny Pit Bull To Sleep After It Was Born A Little Bit Different

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Image credits: Penny The Peanut Pibble

3 and a half months into her life, Sasha is getting stronger by day, and has even gained weight

Foster Mom Refuses To Put Her Tiny Pit Bull To Sleep After It Was Born A Little Bit Different

Image credits: furrr911

She even gets to wear fabulous dresses and sweaters to keep her warm!

Foster Mom Refuses To Put Her Tiny Pit Bull To Sleep After It Was Born A Little Bit Different

Image credits: furrr911

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“She has an amazing will and determination,” DeMarco said. “Through all this, she really shouldn’t be here”

Foster Mom Refuses To Put Her Tiny Pit Bull To Sleep After It Was Born A Little Bit Different

Image credits: furrr911

Perhaps the most important element in Sasha’s recovery has been the unconditional love surrounding her

Foster Mom Refuses To Put Her Tiny Pit Bull To Sleep After It Was Born A Little Bit Different

Image credits: furrr911

“When I hold her and I’m kissing her, if I hold her near my face, she licks my nose”

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Foster Mom Refuses To Put Her Tiny Pit Bull To Sleep After It Was Born A Little Bit Different

Image credits: furrr911

Though Sasha has a long road ahead of her, she has all the support she needs to live as happily as other dogs

Foster Mom Refuses To Put Her Tiny Pit Bull To Sleep After It Was Born A Little Bit Different

Image credits: furrr911

“She was dealt some bad cards in life… Boy, is she loved”

Foster Mom Refuses To Put Her Tiny Pit Bull To Sleep After It Was Born A Little Bit Different

Image credits: furrr911

Some people left less-than-sensitive comments…

Foster Mom Refuses To Put Her Tiny Pit Bull To Sleep After It Was Born A Little Bit Different

But DeMarco was quick to defend the bond between her and Sasha

Foster Mom Refuses To Put Her Tiny Pit Bull To Sleep After It Was Born A Little Bit Different

Foster Mom Refuses To Put Her Tiny Pit Bull To Sleep After It Was Born A Little Bit Different

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What do you think ?

Liz Perry 6 years ago

I mean, I’m not really convinced that the kinder thing Would have been to put this (adorable) puppy to sleep. It really feels like to me that this poor guy is being kept alive for the sake of internet fame

22points

Master Markus 6 years ago

That's what I've been saying! I see some stories of a similar kind when someone adopts an animal that is considered ugly, but is otherwise healthy, and that's totally fine, GOOD even, but when it comes to one who has the high potential of being in pain throughout it's life, it seems cruel to keep it alive if it's suffering.

20points

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Alia Gail 6 years ago

I agree. As unfortunate as it is, this poor thing is in pain every day, and these people aren’t brave enough, or don’t have the heart to let her go. I f she just looked odd, but wasn’t in pain, that would be a different story. But she has literal fluid in her head! The kinder thing to do here is to let her go.

10points

What ever 6 years ago

Agreed. If it was JUST the cleft lip and palate and it could be later fixed, and the infections, then sure, all for it... but the hydrocephalus will cause that poor animal constant pain not to mention almost certainly be life limiting. Yes, we go to extraordinary measures to save people but sometimes, I honestly believe the kinder thing is to give them release too. Maybe that's because I have the experience of being in constant, severe pain that nothing, not even enough medication to knock out a bull, can really touch.... but apparently, for some people quantity takes over and quality is unimportant when it comes to life.

3points

Liz Perry 6 years ago

wouldn’t have been*

2points

Katinka Min 6 years ago

I'm afraid I'm in camp less-than-sensitiv. The poor dog. I really, really hope that when my dog, who I love more than life, is old and sick I'll be able to let her go before she suffers that much.

20points

Bobbi Newell 6 years ago

It's a hard thing to make that decision, but sometimes it's the kindest one. I have had to do it with my aged pets. It doesn't make you less sensitive, it means you're sensitive to your pet's overall quality of life.

12points

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Andrew Keane 6 years ago

Not muddying the waters. Just inconvenient for you.That's not really an excuse. You either commit to looking after your pet or you don't have pets.

-3points

Andrew Keane 6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Jef Bateman 6 years ago

The takeaway from this is that people need to stop breeding chihuahuas AND pit bulls. Our animal shelters are packed with these dogs. If you want one, go adopt it! Chihuahuas are particularly tricky because there are so few bloodlines that independent breeders often end up with genetic abnormalities like stunted limbs and hydrocephalus. If you live in a part of the world where these dogs are not seriously stressing the ability of the animal shelters to keep them, then plan a trip to Arizona! AZ Animal Control probably had to put 100 of them "to sleep" in the time it took me to type this. DO NOT BREED PIT BULLS AND CHIHUAHUAS!!!

15points

Alia Gail 6 years ago

I should add boston terriers and american bull dogs. as sweet as they are, they’re very unhealthy and die young.

9points

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Liz Perry 6 years ago

I mean, I’m not really convinced that the kinder thing Would have been to put this (adorable) puppy to sleep. It really feels like to me that this poor guy is being kept alive for the sake of internet fame

22points

Master Markus 6 years ago

That's what I've been saying! I see some stories of a similar kind when someone adopts an animal that is considered ugly, but is otherwise healthy, and that's totally fine, GOOD even, but when it comes to one who has the high potential of being in pain throughout it's life, it seems cruel to keep it alive if it's suffering.

20points

Load More Replies...

Alia Gail 6 years ago

I agree. As unfortunate as it is, this poor thing is in pain every day, and these people aren’t brave enough, or don’t have the heart to let her go. I f she just looked odd, but wasn’t in pain, that would be a different story. But she has literal fluid in her head! The kinder thing to do here is to let her go.

10points

What ever 6 years ago

Agreed. If it was JUST the cleft lip and palate and it could be later fixed, and the infections, then sure, all for it... but the hydrocephalus will cause that poor animal constant pain not to mention almost certainly be life limiting. Yes, we go to extraordinary measures to save people but sometimes, I honestly believe the kinder thing is to give them release too. Maybe that's because I have the experience of being in constant, severe pain that nothing, not even enough medication to knock out a bull, can really touch.... but apparently, for some people quantity takes over and quality is unimportant when it comes to life.

3points

Liz Perry 6 years ago

wouldn’t have been*

2points

Katinka Min 6 years ago

I'm afraid I'm in camp less-than-sensitiv. The poor dog. I really, really hope that when my dog, who I love more than life, is old and sick I'll be able to let her go before she suffers that much.

20points

Bobbi Newell 6 years ago

It's a hard thing to make that decision, but sometimes it's the kindest one. I have had to do it with my aged pets. It doesn't make you less sensitive, it means you're sensitive to your pet's overall quality of life.

12points

Load More Replies...

Andrew Keane 6 years ago

Not muddying the waters. Just inconvenient for you.That's not really an excuse. You either commit to looking after your pet or you don't have pets.

-3points

Andrew Keane 6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Jef Bateman 6 years ago

The takeaway from this is that people need to stop breeding chihuahuas AND pit bulls. Our animal shelters are packed with these dogs. If you want one, go adopt it! Chihuahuas are particularly tricky because there are so few bloodlines that independent breeders often end up with genetic abnormalities like stunted limbs and hydrocephalus. If you live in a part of the world where these dogs are not seriously stressing the ability of the animal shelters to keep them, then plan a trip to Arizona! AZ Animal Control probably had to put 100 of them "to sleep" in the time it took me to type this. DO NOT BREED PIT BULLS AND CHIHUAHUAS!!!

15points

Alia Gail 6 years ago

I should add boston terriers and american bull dogs. as sweet as they are, they’re very unhealthy and die young.

9points

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Load More Comments

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