On a quiet morning in Austin, a staff member at Austin Pets Alive! arrived at work expecting another busy day.
As she approached the rescue’s Parvo ICU entrance, she noticed something unusual.
A cardboard box sat waiting, slightly worn and out of place. Curious, she opened it and was met with a pair of wide, confused eyes.
Inside was a tiny French bulldog who had been left behind with nothing but a short note.
A Small Dog Left Behind In A Box
The message was simple: “Found Dog S. 1st & Congress. No owner has reached out.” Whoever had dropped her off didn’t leave their name, but the box told a story of desperation.
The dog, later named McNugget, had clearly been abandoned in hopes that someone at the rescue would step in.
Though the staff did not expect such a surprise that morning, they immediately carried her inside and promised she would not be left alone again.
It didn’t take long for the team to realize this little one faced serious challenges. McNugget’s back legs did not move the way they should.
Medical checks revealed a collapsed disc and a painful condition called spondylosis.
The dog was paralyzed, unable to use her hind legs at all. The thought of her sitting trapped in that box, powerless to climb out even if she had wanted to, broke everyone’s heart.
Still, APA! staff knew she deserved more than pity—she deserved a chance.
A Foster Home And A New Name
The rescue team began caring for McNugget right away, easing her into a foster home where she could feel safe while adjusting to her new limitations.
Despite the severity of her condition, her spirit was undeniable.
She wagged, she played, and she leaned on people for comfort. To her caregivers, she was not a broken dog but a brave little soul eager to love and be loved.
The truth was clear: someone had left her in secret because APA! isn’t an open-intake shelter. But in the end, the anonymous act ensured McNugget’s survival.
“We believe the person knew we’d keep her safe, no matter what obstacles lay ahead,” shared one of the staff members. That faith turned out to be well placed.
Weeks later, everything changed again.
A family came to meet the tiny pup, and the connection was instant. The moment Bailey Guptill bent down, McNugget lit up and scooted as fast as her little body could carry her.
It wasn’t long before Bailey had the dog in her arms, and in that single moment, the bond was sealed. Adoption papers were signed, and McNugget’s new life truly began.
Her new family gave her a new name: Shrimpina.
It was fitting for her small frame and big personality. With the fresh start came a wave of love that surrounded her every day.
From the first cuddle to the first toy squeak, Shrimpina seemed to understand that she had finally found the home she had been waiting for.
A Future Full Of Love And Possibility
Today, Shrimpina is thriving. With determination and care, she has even started taking steps on her own, something her rescuers never thought they would see.
Each attempt may be shaky, but each one is proof of her strength. Every day is different, filled with curiosity, affection, and playful energy.
Her mom describes her as a bundle of joy who starts mornings with kisses and wiggles.
When she’s not curled up on the couch, she’s chasing squeaky toys or climbing into a lap for work-from-home snuggles.
To Bailey, Shrimpina is not just a pet—she’s a source of light. “She’s the best lap dog ever,” she often says, smiling at how this little survivor transformed her daily life.
Stories like Shrimpina’s remind us why rescues matter.
Without Austin Pets Alive!, she may never have had the chance to heal or to find her forever family. Instead, a dog once left in a box now has the freedom to be silly, to be loved, and to learn to walk again.
She no longer lives in fear or loneliness. She lives in gratitude, surrounded by people who chose to see her worth.
Shrimpina’s journey shows that even the smallest dog, facing the greatest odds, can inspire hope. Her life is a testament to second chances—and to the people who make them possible.