I’ll never forget the day Tater Tot arrived at the local shelter. In his photos, he looked like one of the most neglected Bulldogs I had ever seen.
When Holly and Jeff picked him up after his stray hold ended, Holly had that look on her face like, “Holy cow, the smell of this one will knock you out!”
I couldn’t help but think, Who would let you live like this?
It was clear he had spent his life outside, never had a bath, and his paws told the whole story. His pads were thick and calloused, and his toenails had grown so long, they were curling into his pads, making every step painful. I honestly wondered how in the world he would ever find a family.
But I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Enter Nicole and her husband—instantly smitten with Tater Tot. They fell head over heels for him and couldn’t imagine life without him. It took five baths to wash away the years of neglect, but if it had taken 50, Nicole would have done it. She was in love.
Now Tater Tot lives in a fantastic home with Nicole, her husband, and five other dogs.
Yesterday, when Nicole came to visit with Tater Tot, she was carrying him across the parking lot like a small child who refused to walk, and I couldn’t help but laugh. This tiny little Bulldog, who once had no chance, has finally found his pot of gold.
The more I see this, the more my heart breaks for animals and my anger grows toward the people who neglect them. How can someone have a dog and allow it to live in such a state?
Tater Tot, weighing barely 30 lbs., and covered in urine, with nails painfully embedded in his pads and the stench of death on him, was found just in time. Rescued in the dead of night when temperatures dropped to 20 degrees, this sweet soul was picked up by animal services.
At first, when I saw his shelter photo, I thought he was just a little senior dog, but now I’m not so sure. His teeth are black, his ears are a mess, and his fur is in horrible condition. The shelter took him to their vet, where they treated his wounds, dug the nails from his pads, and started him on antibiotics.
Despite everything, he is the definition of precious. He’s timid—following quietly, but hesitant to walk on a leash. Loud noises send him into hiding, only for him to slowly venture out again.
This little soul has already captured my heart, and I’m devastated by the cruelty he endured. He never did anything to deserve this. How long will people continue to look the other way and let this happen? When will the laws change, and when will people be held accountable for these atrocities? There is absolutely no excuse for this. None.
3/7/25 Update: At around 30 lbs., Tater Tot may be small in size, but he’s huge on the “adorabull” scale! He’s seamlessly blended into our pack and gets along wonderfully with all of our dogs—and even our wild cat, Monkey. (We did have a little “FAFO” moment at first, but now they’re best buds!)
If I had to point out one area for “growth” (as I like to call it), it would be his choice of chew toys. It’s clear he’s never encountered a toy before—because he is obsessed with anything he can get his paws on! He’s dragged around a plastic watering can, a glass milk bottle (which reminded us to clean out the pantry and recycle, haha), a ball, and even a kitty tower. He’s also partial to chewing on anything at eye level, so cords are a bit of a temptation. He tried nibbling on my laptop cord, so this is something to keep in mind—Tater Tot needs boundaries and a watchful eye when he’s roaming the house.
On a positive note, he’s already mastered crate training and goes right in, eagerly anticipating a tasty treat. He snores like a freight train, though, so if snoring isn’t your thing, please reconsider your application!
Tater Tot is an absolute gem. We’re currently working on potty training, and he’s making great progress. He does have a funny little quirk of marking dog beds to claim them as his own, but we’re on top of that too. Seriously, this guy is perfect—just a few tiny adjustments to make him even more amazing.
Now, for the best part—his beautiful face! I almost hesitate to share any pics because he’s so perfect that he’ll probably get adopted immediately, and I’ll have less time with this wonderful boy. Oh, did I mention he moonwalks? He moves through the room backward, and I’ll try to get a video for next week’s update!
3/14/25 Update: Tater Tot continues to be perfect in every way. He no longer marks everyone’s dog bed, and instead, he happily collects all the toys and piles them on his own bed.
We’re still working through his exploratory chewing of items at eye level, but he’s learned to understand “no no” and is easy to redirect when needed. Food has become a newfound love of his, and we’re teaching him to wait patiently for his meals without taking from others. Soft treats are also a big hit, and they’re helping with the training we’re working on together.
Tater Tot has fully mastered crate training and loves snuggling. This week’s photos are all about snores and snuggles! He enjoys lounging on the couch, crawling into your lap, or snuggling up on your shoulder—he simply loves to be loved.
The storms have been a bit scary for him, and he tends to want to run and hide, but we’re helping him work through his fears. We’re also making progress with household things that spook him, like the vacuum, and giving him positive reassurance that he’s safe.
In addition to loving his naps in true Bulldog fashion, Tater Tot is surprisingly fast when it comes to playtime! He’s having a blast running around with his foster brothers and sister, and they all adore him. Tonka, my older Bulldog, is showing him how to relax and enjoy the good life.
