It takes a big heart to repay the kindness you once were given. And in this case, that big heart resided in the tiniest of puppies. When Dobby joined her family, they were thrilled. But just a few days later, their excitement turned to fear when the tiny puppy was diagnosed with parvo, a contagious and aggressive virus common in puppies from puppy mills or pet stores.

Dobby’s family was determined to make sure the little dog would pull through. Shani Coppa, Dobby’s mom, said the vet warned them that it was unlikely the poor pup would pull through. “It was very scary as she was so little, barely 6 pounds,” Coppa said.

“The vet said she had a small chance to survive if she stayed in the hospital, and honestly, she advised we take her home and spend as much time with her as we could — that she actually had a better chance with love at home than in a kennel at the vet’s,” Coppa said.

Shani Coppa holds Dobby. Photo courtesy of Coppa

So in a makeshift quarantine room away from the family’s other dogs, they began a five-day long wait to see if Dobby would get better. The vet, Coppa said, told them if Dobby made it through those five days, she would likely survive the illness.

My husband moved into the room with her to give her round-the-clock care,” Coppa said. “She got anything she wanted. Chicken broth, baby food, American cheese, Pedialyte.” 

But it was a small plush toy that made the most difference in Dobby. The pink stuffed bunny became a constant source of comfort for the sick puppy.

Amidst her battle with the virus, Dobby found solace in an unlikely companion: a stuffed pink bunny. This simple toy became her constant source of comfort, accompanying her through the darkest days of her illness. And, after all that love from her family, Dobby made a full recovery.

As Dobby settled into her new life, Pink Bunny became a favorite toy, but not one needed every moment. But that didn’t make the plushy less loved. “Pink Bunny was still around, not to be chewed on, and heaven forbid another dog attempt to love on her, but she wasn’t a constant companion,” Coppa said. “More like a ‘just in case’ stuffy.”

Dobby curls up with his favorite stuff toy. Photo courtesy of Coppa

But then one day, Coppa had a horrible migraine that left her in bed, unable to move. And Dobby stayed right beside her. Until she ran off for a few moments and then swiftly returned with a surprise for Coppa. “After a particularly bad bout of migraine nausea, she brought Bunny up on the couch with me,” she said. “It’s the bunny we bought her when she was sick, so clearly it has feel-better medicine in it.”

And just like that, little Dobby showed her family that all their help, and Pink Bunny’s companionship had left an indelible mark on the little puppy. Dobby knew that Pink Bunny helped her when she was sick, and the only way to help Coppa was to give the bunny to her, as well. And now, whenever someone is sick, Pink Bunny is brought out from her special spot and given to whoever needs to feel better.

For a look at another special dog, with a decidedly different way of giving gifts to his owner, watch below.

Source: The Dodo