“She does everything a dog without the condition does.”
Meet Millie Mae, a lively and spirited little dog with a look that instantly captures attention. What makes her especially unusual is the size and shape of her body, which is far smaller and more compact than most dogs’.
Millie Mae was born with short spine syndrome, a rare condition that left her backbone much shorter than normal. Her mom, Erin Budrow, says that while Millie Mae has a head that seems average in size, the rest of her body is tiny and tightly built.
A few years ago, Millie Mae was taken in by The Pawerful Rescue. With her distinctive appearance and lovable personality, it might seem like she would have found a family right away. Instead, she waited three full years before anyone submitted an application to adopt her.
That finally changed when Budrow and her husband came across her story. After recently losing their elderly dog, Sullie, they were hoping to bring a little comfort and happiness back into their home. Millie Mae turned out to be exactly what they needed.
The couple brought her home on Budrow’s birthday, and from the moment she arrived, she filled the house with energy and warmth. Budrow later said she could hardly believe Millie Mae had gone so long without being chosen.
Because of her condition, Budrow and her husband try to be careful with her small frame and delicate joints. Millie Mae, however, does not seem interested in taking it easy. She loves bouncing around, exploring outdoors, and especially enjoys hiking through the snow.
According to Budrow, Millie Mae does everything any other dog would do. The only difference is that she does it while looking extra tiny and adorable.
Since short spine syndrome is so uncommon, Millie Mae tends to attract a lot of attention whenever she is out in public. People often stop to ask about her appearance, and some compare her to cartoon characters like Mike Wazowski or Scrappy-Doo.
Although she has only been with her new family for a few months, Millie Mae has already shown just how affectionate and trusting she can be. Budrow says she and her husband are constantly amazed by how sweet she is and sometimes cannot believe she is real.
For the couple, adopting Millie Mae feels like something that was always meant to happen. They are grateful to have given her the loving home she had waited so long for, and now they cannot picture life without her.