PCAWL Rescue Stories: A Puppy Named Kitty
Even before she was born, Kitty was in trouble. Her mother was pregnant and a stray dog in the middle
of winter, wondering on the side of Highway 63. A good Samaritan finally coaxed her mother into the safety of her car, and into a better life.
Mama dog had her four puppies in the comfort of a warm house with an experienced rescuer. Kitty was born last. However, another crisis happened---mama came down with parvo, a horrible disease that often kills puppies and even dogs. An area vet managed to pull mama through the sickness, and soon she was happily nursing her pups. But, mom and pups had to be transferred to another foster home, because mama had become hostile to a teenager in the first foster home.
However, a few weeks later, tragedy struck again! All of Kitty’s siblings suddenly died within a few days, with very little warning. An autopsy revealed they likely contracted parvo before they were born, causing their heart muscles to fail. It was very sad, and the new foster parents feared Kitty might have also been affected, and would not survive.
The great news is that she showed no signs of being ill, and turned out to be a healthy, happy puppy. She was also very smart! A 
wonderful couple from St. Charles, Carrie and Rob, adopted her and gave her a great home and a happy ending. She shares her home with two playful cats, Bonkers and Beep.
Update, August 2008: Sadly, Kitty did not escape the effects of Parvo after all. She went into heart arrest as she was getting spayed, and rushed to a nearby vet hospital. She recovered and lived at home for a month more. But she then died in her sleep. RIP sweet Kitty, and know that you were loved during your brief existence among us.
Story submitted by Mary