Our little phoenix, Mavis

Flower Button was skin and bones when a jogger found her tied to a tree near Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. She was left in the cold, alone to starve. The jogger called 911 and officers brought her to DeKalb Animal Services. We had been following her story since day one and knew we had to help. So we took her in – knowing she would be safe in our care.

During her time at PAWS Atlanta, Flower Button slowly began to trust again and we were committed to help her move beyond her past. Months later, someone chose her, knowing all she had been through and we were elated. A month went by, and Flower Button got a new name – Pretty Girl, but it was not an ideal fit. Change can be challenging for a dog who has been through a traumatic experience, and we think she did not fully understand she was home and safe. We welcomed Pretty Girl back with open arms knowing her journey home would take more patience, love, and hard work.

We took her to training sessions with our good friends at Canine PhD to work through behavioral issues and determine what the best family would look like for her.

In steps Diego. Diego felt stuck at home, not being able to travel anymore for work. He decided to foster because he really missed being able to have a dog. We told him about Pretty Girl and her backstory. Diego knew her challenges, but he didn’t focus on the past. He focused on taking this beautiful, strong survivor home and loving her to pieces.

Diego said the behavioral issues we told him about must have belonged to another dog because she was a joy from day one. He introduced Pretty Girl to new activities slowly but found all she needed was love and structure. She learned seven obedience commands in two weeks and graduated from the harness to a regular leash in less than a month. She was attentive, responsive, but most importantly a love bug and a first-class cuddler.

Diego kept the happy updates going: “She’s a big ball of fun. Everyone who meets her adores her. I go through the neighborhood and I’m friends with people I never knew before because of her. She plays with balls in her sleep and has a blast with the water from the hose; she might as well be at Six Flags!”

Diego’s experience fostering Pretty Girl was a dream. So, when he heard that someone was interested in adopting her, he went into full depression. He knew they were meant for each other but wasn’t able to commit if he needed to travel again. When it didn’t pan out with the potential adopter, Diego let us know immediately that she had already found her home. He had worked out a plan with his family and friends - they had stepped up to dog sit if he had to travel again. He made it official and Pretty Girl was part of his family for good.

And her name? Flower Button didn’t quite roll off the tongue, and Pretty Girl sounded like a term of endearment. So, on her birthday, he gathered a small group of friends to do a name reveal. Her new name is Mavis Kravitz Pinasco, a combination of family names which makes us smile because she fits right in.