Rescued in the City: Junior’s Inspiring Journey

Rescued in the City: Junior’s Inspiring Journey

For the longest time, I’ve wanted to share Junior’s story with a larger audience. Now, the moment has come to finally tell his journey—one that continues to inspire and remind our DTLA neighbors that, today, adoption is the only option.

Have you ever truly wondered how many dogs and cats are euthanized daily, monthly, or yearly? I know—it’s the kind of depressing news most of us avoid. I’ll leave the statistics for you to Google on your own, but it’s heartbreaking to realize just how many pets never get the chance to live the happy life their original owners promised, or that backyard breeders carelessly started.

One day, in the early days of the pandemic, my dear friend Ivona, founder of Kosma Garden of Angels rescue, reached out to me for help. She had a heartbreaking request: Could I assist with the adoption of 10 pitbull puppies, just three months old, who had narrowly escaped euthanasia at a kill shelter on the day they were born? Not only were the puppies set to be put down, but their mom, dad, and aunt (their mother’s sister) were also scheduled for the same fate. Ivona couldn’t let that happen. With the help of a foster, she managed to save the entire family, and one by one, the puppies found their forever homes.

It was the beginning of the pandemic, and strict scheduling was required for each new owner to pick up their puppy, process the adoption papers, and finalize the rescue funds. On the morning of the adoption, Ivona picked me up with three crates full of 3-month-old pitbull puppies and some unexpected news—someone had canceled the adoption for Junior. Without a second thought, I offered to foster him.

Having spent most of my life rescuing adult or teenage dogs, I had no experience with a 3-month-old puppy whose teeth were as sharp as needles. At the time, I already had three senior dogs: Coco, my 12-year-old black chihuahua; Romeo, an 8-year-old ginger chihuahua; and my queen, Kaylah, a 9-year-old English Mastiff. Junior, being the youngest, earned his name as he joined my little pack.

Junior bonded with everyone instantly. The gang knew he was just a baby, and I knew fostering him would be a lot of work. But the pandemic gave me the rare chance to dedicate myself fully to raising him, to be there for his first stages of development, and to help him see the better side of humanity—something so many puppies like Junior never get to experience.

After many sleepless nights preparing Junior as a foster puppy—getting him ready with help of Ivona rescue with vaccinations, neutering, a—time flew by, and before I knew it, my little foster boy turned five months old was ready for adoption. He was prepared, but the real question was—was I ready to let him go? Could I part with the young, handsome pup who had stolen not just my heart, but the hearts of everyone on the streets of DTLA?

Trust me, Ivona did her part and asked me many times, "Are you sure?" She reminded me that puppies are a lot of work, especially with three senior dogs already in my care. It was a heavy responsibility for one person to manage, and as much as I tried to stay practical, Junior had already claimed a special place in my heart.

And here we are—my little man has blossomed into a handsome heartbreaker. As of today Junior has an important job serving the people of Downtown LA. This confident and handsome 4.5-year-old pit bull is known for spreading love wherever he goes. On his daily walks—whether he’s dropping off your orders at the post office or just making his rounds—Junior never misses a chance to brighten someone’s day. He’s all about joy and affection, happily greeting everyone he meets, and never turning down a moment of attention or a belly rub.

Junior doesn’t discriminate when it comes to spreading happiness. Strangers, locals, other pups—everyone gets a dose of his infectious energy. Known as the "Ambassador of Love" around DTLA, Junior leads by example, showing how one dog can bring a community together with pure joy and unconditional love.

As a friendly reminder, if you’re considering adding a dog to your life, think about what’s happening in the world—there are so many wonderful pups waiting for a second chance. Adoption is the only option! And if you’re not ready to commit to a dog just yet, but still want to make a difference, please consider sharing or donating to Kosma Garden of Angeles. Every bit helps save lives and support the incredible work they do. You can find their GoFundMe link here.

And remember, helping dogs doesn’t have to be a big commitment. You can start small—offer to watch a friend’s dog and enjoy a day filled with puppy love, or take a shelter dog for a walk around the block. Even stepping in to donate a bag of food to a local rescue can make a world of difference. Your actions matter, and your voice matters.

Every little bit of support helps these dogs, and together, we can create a safer world for our furry friends—whether they live in a backyard or a tiny loft in the city, all dogs deserve a healthy, loving environment.

 

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