This Lucky Penny Is Priceless

Christine H. had fostered three dogs when Katherine Good, senior manager of Placement Partnerships for the ASPCA, suggested she foster or adopt Jackson, a young Staffordshire Terrier-mix from Animal Care Centers of NYC, where Katherine worked at the time.

Christine did, and she kept him for 14 years.

“He was so handsome; I’m forever in Katherine’s debt,” Christine says.

After Jackson died last October, at 16, Christine was distraught.

“Losing Jackson was one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through,” she says.

But then, a lucky Penny dropped into Christine’s lap.

A Shocking Discovery

On November 20, an NYPD detective responded to a call directing him to the rear of a building in East New York, a neighborhood in Brooklyn. He discovered a 6-month-old pit bull puppy in a zippered bag. She had a bad skin coat and appeared to be malnourished. The detective took her to the Veterinary Emergency Group, an ASPCA partner clinic, and she was transferred to the ASPCA the following day.

Penny on the day she was discovered by the NYPD.

“She was a little fearful, but extremely sweet,” says Kristin Kerstens, ASPCA manager of Forensic Sciences, who photographed Penny to document her condition. “She liked being held, though, and was adorable.”

Penny’s poor skin coat was documented when she arrived at the ASPCA on November 21.

Penny’s weight upon arrival at the ASPCA was just under 13 pounds. She was diagnosed with severe pyoderma and demodectic mange, two skin conditions that can sometimes occur together. Pyoderma is a bacterial infection, while demodectic mange is a mite infestation. Penny was prescribed a broad-spectrum parasitic preventative medication that treated her dermal mite infestation as well.

“Her immune system was severely compromised,” says Dr. Felicia Magnaterra, director of Medical Operations at the ASPCA Adoption Center. “She had a secondary skin infection, likely from self-trauma from scratching herself, because she was so itchy from the parasitic infection; we treated that with antibiotics. Penny also received medicated baths to help her skin heal.”

“Love Is Lovelier the Second Time Around”

Penny was adopted from the ASPCA just after Christmas, but in a sad turn of events, was returned two months later because her family experienced housing issues. A week later, she was transferred to Good Life Dog Rescue (GLDR), an ASPCA Placement Partner and all-volunteer organization serving the New York City-metro area, where Katherine also volunteers.

“Penny was a doll from the moment we met her,” says Jennifer Bristol, co-president of GLDR. “She gained many fans — both two- and four-legged — while awaiting a new home, and we knew it wouldn’t be long before she found her perfect match.”

That perfect match was Christine, now a long-time foster caregiver for multiple animal welfare organizations including the ASPCA, Animal Care Centers of NYC and GLDR. Once again, Katherine played cupid for Christine, suggesting Penny might be the new companion she was looking for.

“I had her for the weekend and it was amazing,” says Christine. “My good friend has a new dog and they got along great; that sealed the deal.”

She adopted Penny on April 3, just one month shy of Penny’s first birthday.

A Shining Model for Shelter Dogs

While Penny had a rough start in life, she is now in a wonderful home.

“All she wants to do is lie across my lap until my feet go numb,” adds Christine. “She’s super friendly with people, and if she sees other dogs she wants to meet, she sits and waits for them to come to her. I’m over the moon.”

The 30-pound Penny can run circles around a 110-pound Doberman in her local dog park and is a cherished client at doggie daycare.

From left: Penny with a new pair of slippers, celebrating her birthday, at day care and with Christine.

“She picks up things so fast,” says Christine, who holds credentials from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, has trained assistance dogs for the deaf and disabled and helps dog owners with basic obedience.

Despite growing up with purebred Basset Hounds, Christine is passionate about shelter dogs.

“Penny is the perfect example and model of why people should adopt,” adds Christine, who encourages would-be dog owners to foster first, as she has. “There are so many dogs in shelters, including wonderful dogs at Animal Care Centers of NYC, and there’s nothing wrong with them. I’ve had perfectly wonderful fosters who are great ambassadors for shelter dogs.

“Penny didn’t have the best start in life, but she’s a great example of how resilient dogs can be,” says Jennifer. “Despite being small in stature, her loving nature is big and bold, despite what she’s been through. It’s impossible not to be overtaken by her joyful spirit.”