When I was a puppy, I was found with my sibling in a parking lot next to a garbage can. We both had parvovirus, a highly contagious infection mainly affecting dogs. It can be prevented with vaccines, but if left untreated, it can lead to mortality in more than 90% of affected pups. Sadly, my sibling didn’t make it. I was lucky enough to be taken by a kind stranger to the Tri-City Animal Shelter in Hayward, who then contacted Silicon Valley Pet Project.
SVPP was committed to finding me a paw-rent who would continue to shower me with the TLC that I needed while on the road to recovery. Turns out, my foster parent-turned forever mom Mariel was looking for a pup to love! During COVID, she had been working from home and feeling increasingly in need of a furry companion. She had been in touch with SVPP to get matched with a hypoallergenic pup – and then, she learned about me: Willa the parvo pup.
Before she brought me home, she was told that I might not survive parvo – but that with the right love and care, I had a fighting chance. She had been a dog parent most of her life, but hadn’t raised a puppy in 15 years. She couldn’t resist my sweet, cuddly nature and decided to take the leap and take me home – an 8-week-old, 2.5 pound “white ball of fluff” as she calls me.
At first, I was wary of my new home – after all, I hadn’t had a cozy place to call my own in a while. But my mom bathed me, gave me my medications and hand fed me, and within a couple of days, I got more comfortable. I also put on weight and got stronger. Mom said I pretty much potty trained myself within a week!
I’ve been in my new home for a few months now and I’m having so much fun! I have a lot of energy for a little girl, so my mom and I walk 2.5 miles every day. I also love swimming and sunbathing outdoors – it’s my happy place. I entertain my mom by getting major zoomies sometimes, oh, and also love gymnastics! When the summer Olympics were on TV, I couldn’t take my eyes off the show! I go to puppy day camp once a week and play with my “puppy posse” in our neighborhood afterwards.
None of this would have been possible without SVPP’s help, a loving foster mom and the generosity of donors. Because parvo is a serious virus that requires intensive around-the-clock hospital care, it cost more than $10,000 to nurse me back to health. I have been given a second chance at life and a new mom who says the world would not be such a happy a place without me in it. I feel the same way about her! Please know that community support means everything and every single donation counts.
We have some important fundraisers coming up before the end of the year. Stay tuned for more information about how to participate and donate!
Alandea Muñoz, an SVPP volunteer and guest blogger, helped Willa share her story.