Abandoned at the shelter, a tiny 4-month-old puppy rescued into love — now she needs answers.

My name is Dawn, and I recently became the foster mom to a tiny 4-month-old puppy named Strawberry—though I’ve lovingly started calling her Little Wobbles.

Just a few days before Thanksgiving, she was abandoned at the shelter by the family who adopted her. They returned her after she suddenly became extremely wobbly and uncoordinated. She couldn’t stand well, couldn’t walk straight, and sometimes trembled just trying to eat.

Shelter staff wrote that she had become “very wobbly in the last 6 days” and may have had nighttime seizures. She was placed on medical hold with the warning that euthanasia could be considered if she declined further.

That’s when I saw her—and I simply could not turn away.

A heartbreaking medical mystery

Strawberry weighs just under 5 pounds. She is sweet, affectionate, bright-eyed, and wants so badly to play… but her little body cannot keep up.

According to the shelter’s medical notes, Strawberry has:

She is currently on medications but she has not had any diagnostic testing—no bloodwork, no imaging, no neurological evaluation.

The rescue (Scooter’s Pals) is wonderful and will help with her basic care, but the deeper diagnostics and neurological workup are beyond what the rescue can cover. And without testing, we can’t know whether her condition is treatable… or life-limiting.

Why I said yes — and the incredible sign from my girl Sprout

This part is personal.

Earlier this year, I lost my heart dog, Sprout, after 12 beautiful years together. My world shattered when she passed. I wasn’t looking for another dog, let alone a medically fragile puppy.

But when I saw Strawberry’s courtesy post from Scooter’s Pals… something felt familiar.

Then I opened Facebook to look at the rescue’s page and right next to Strawberry’s picture was a photo of Sprout—the EXACT photo I first used when raising funds for Scooter’s Pals 12 years ago.

Same rescue.

Same age (both 4 months old).

And unbelievably… Strawberry arrived at my home on the exact same day—twelve years later—that Sprout first came into my life.

I knew then that my sweet Sprout was nudging me to help this little soul who so clearly needs someone in her corner.

What Strawberry needs now

I am fostering Strawberry with all my heart, but she needs more medical care: Full blood panel, Neurological exam, Possible MRI or advanced imaging, Potential infectious disease testing, Follow-up evaluations based on results, Supportive care to keep her comfortable and safe until we know more.

I genuinely do not know how much this will cost, which is why I’m starting this GoFundMe. Even small donations help inch her closer to the testing she urgently needs. All funds will be provided to Scooters Pals rescue to pay for her medical needs.

Despite everything, she is SO happy

I shared two short videos on my Facebook page that show both her sweet, playful spirit and her neurological wobbliness. Even when her little body trembles or struggles to keep up, she still tries so hard to be a happy puppy.

You can watch them here: https://www.facebook.com/dawnlorrainemcgrath

She is joyful, playful, and full of light, determined to enjoy being a puppy even when her body fails her.

She wants to live.

She wants to play.

She wants to be loved.

And she deserves every chance we can give her.

❤️ How you can help

Your donation—no matter the amount—helps Strawberry get:

The medical answers she desperately needs

The chance to recover if recovery is possible

Comfort, safety, and dignity if her condition is lifelong or terminal

If you cannot donate, sharing her story helps more than you know.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading Strawberry’s story and for helping give this tiny wobbling girl a fighting chance.

With gratitude,

Dawn (and Little Wobbles)