Three veterinarians advised that Ruby the pit bull be put down.
The pup was born in December with a cleft lip and palate, meaning that those parts of her body didn't get fully developed in the womb. The lip is mostly a cosmetic issue, but the palate made it impossible to nurse.
At just 5 days old, she was already severely malnourished. A dog breeder surrendered the pup to the Utah Animal Advocacy Foundation in Salt Lake City.
"I have to admit that she looked pretty bad," Jennifer Clayton, director of the foundation, told The Huffington Post.
Clayton's own vet gave Ruby only a slightly better prognosis than the three who'd recommended euthanasia. The doctor, however, warned the effort and expense required to make things work would be great.
"But she said she'd help me try to save her if that's what I wanted to do," Clayton says. "As I sat there trying to make that terrible decision, Ruby started to suck on my finger and I knew that she wasn't ready to give up."
It wasn't easy keeping the tiny pup healthy. There were a lot of midnight tube feedings, as well as feedings at 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., and, really, every few hours throughout the day until March, when a surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania veterinary school told Clayton he thought he could help.
"Ruby and I flew from Salt Lake City to Philadelphia for surgery," Clayton says. "The surgery was a complete success and the very next morning Ruby ate canned puppy food for the very first time."
"Except for the occasional sinus infection and a few minor dental issues, Ruby has been the picture of health ever since. At this point, she really is like any other dog except for her unique look," says Clayton.
That unique look is really pretty much entirely irresistible.
Ruby has nearly 20,000 Facebook fans, some of whom call out to the nearly year-old pup when they spot her out and about.
"It has been crazy to realize just how many people know Ruby and recognize her when we're out in public," Clayton says. "It's not uncommon at all for people to approach us on walks, outside the grocery store, at various events, and even at the drive-thru. Her little pink nose is so recognizable, and people who have followed her story are always excited to meet her in person."
Clayton hopes that all this interest will translate to other rescue animals finding homes -- especially those pets who need a little extra care due to medical needs. She hopes that kids who need a little extra care will also find solace in Ruby.
"Ruby is famous and loved because of her differences, and I think there's a powerful message in that," she says.
The original plan was for Ruby to be with Clayton only temporarily, as a foster, until the dog could be placed in a permanent home. Clayton already had four other rescue dogs and said she wasn't looking to add this kind of energetic newcomer into the mix.
"But by the time we traveled to Philly for her surgery, I was so unbelievably attached to this little dog that I couldn't imagine my life without her," she says.
Almost a year in, Clayton says that "like any respectable puppy" Ruby has "eaten a shoe or two" and tries the older dogs' patience from time to time. But she still can't imagine her life without this sweet, silly, gorgeous, improbably lucky dog, who came so close to not making it this far.
Keep tabs on the adorable Ruby on her Facebook page, and get in touch at arin.greenwood@huffingtonpost.com if you have an animal story to share!
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.