“She’s got some spicy spunkiness and we love to see it.”
When Tink, a pint-sized Chihuahua, arrived at Skiatook Paws and Claws Animal Rescue (SPACAR) last month, staff and volunteers couldn’t believe how incredibly tiny she was.
“She’s practically the size of a hamster,” said Paige Bodden, a SPACAR board member. “She’s unbelievably small.”
One glance made it clear that Tink was no spring chicken. The senior pup, estimated to be around 9 years old, had clearly lived a long life. A vet visit confirmed her age and revealed that she had no teeth and a heart murmur—adding to her list of quirks.
Despite her age and medical challenges, Tink proved she’s not just a fragile little lap dog. She’s a firecracker in a miniature body. With a fierce personality and a strong sense of independence, Tink quickly let everyone know she wasn’t there to be babied.
“Tink is spicy, sassy, and totally herself—and we love her for it,” SPACAR shared on Instagram.
Currently living with a foster mom, Tink has continued to embrace her grumpy grandma vibes. She’s not a fan of cuddling and prefers to have her own space. And honestly, that suits her just fine.
“She’s definitely your classic little old lady Chihuahua,” Bodden said. “She just wants to chill at someone’s house and live life on her own terms.”
Knowing Tink might need extra help finding the right adopter, Bodden posted her photo on SPACAR’s Instagram—opting for full honesty over fluff. The caption read:
“She is 9 years old. She has no teeth. She has a heart murmur. And she is an absolute menace.”
To Bodden’s surprise, the post went viral. Within days, it racked up more than 14,000 likes and hundreds of passionate comments.
“Not to be dramatic, but I would die for Tink,” one user wrote.
Soon, SPACAR was flooded with adoption applications—over 200 of them, just for Tink.
“It’s wild,” Bodden said. “We never imagined this kind of response for a senior dog with medical needs.”
Once her heart murmur is treated, Tink will get to choose her forever home from a pool of dedicated admirers. Bodden plans to select someone who can offer Tink a peaceful environment and the healthcare she needs to stay comfortable.
While puppies often steal the spotlight, SPACAR is thrilled to see a senior dog like Tink receiving so much love and attention.
“She’s grumpy, stubborn, and completely unapologetic,” Bodden said. “And people are obsessed with her. It’s amazing to see her getting the recognition she deserves.”