Terrified and Very Pregnant, This Rescue Dog Found the One Person Who Would Change Her Life Forever
When Melody, a pregnant rescue dog, was first brought into foster care, she was silent, scared, and trembling with fear. Her belly was full with life, but her spirit was weighed down by the unknown. The terrified pregnant rescue dog had clearly been through more than her share of hardship. But all that began to change the moment she met Nicole—known on Instagram as @nic_and_the_dogs—a foster mom determined to give her the safety and love she’d never known.
“She was very pregnant, fearful, and it made me sad,” Nicole shares in a video by The Dodo. “But I kept telling her, this would be her last litter ever. This is never going to happen again.”
Labor, Love, and a Promise of a Better Life
It wasn’t long before the signs came. Melody grew restless, skipping dinner one night and breathing heavily the next morning. Nicole stayed by her side as she went into labor, comforting her through every contraction. By 4 PM, Melody had given birth to ten perfect puppies.
“She did really well, which kind of told me she’d had puppies before,” Nicole recalls. But this time was different. This time, she had someone in her corner.
An Amazing Mama, Now It’s Her Turn to Heal
Melody was an exceptional mother—nurturing, patient, and gentle. After her puppies reached the age to begin weaning, Nicole shifted her focus to Melody’s healing. She worked with trainer John, who helped Melody discover her confidence. The transformation was staggering.
“She’s almost a different dog now,” Nicole says, beaming with pride. “She’s goofy and I think she’s going to be an amazing family member to somebody who can see her for who she is—a goofball.”
From Fearful to Fetch Queen
To celebrate Melody’s progress, Volkswagen even sent her a limited-edition Kong toy from their Kong for a Cause campaign. “It’s so nice to watch her get some well-deserved playtime,” Nicole shares.
When she’s not curled up for snuggles, Melody is all zoomies and soccer balls. She could chase and dribble a ball all day, and her love for fetch is legendary. But her playful energy is balanced with a tender, affectionate side that makes her the ultimate cuddle companion.
Ready for Her Forever Home
She’s still warming up to other dogs and learning that not all new faces are scary, but her progress has been remarkable. What she needs now is a family who will cheer her on, toss a ball her way, and love her unconditionally.
Melody is currently available for adoption or foster—foster homes must be in the Raleigh area. If you think your life could use a little more joy (and a lot more tail wags), Melody might just be the best friend you didn’t know you were missing.