A Rescue Story That Started With a Photo
When the Cleft Pup Brigade shared a photo of Harold, a 4-month-old French bulldog, last August, one detail stood out immediately — unlike other puppies his age, Harold had no fur. His skin was bright pink, tender, and clearly uncomfortable. For most people, the sight might have been heartbreaking, but for Andrea, a devoted foster mom, it was a calling.
The moment she saw him online, Andrea knew she couldn’t just scroll past.
“We saw him on their Instagram and instantly fell in love,” Andrea shared. “Something in me said, ‘This little one deserves a second chance — and I can help him heal.’”
Harold’s condition wasn’t a natural trait. He wasn’t a “hairless Frenchie” as some might assume. Instead, he had suffered severe neglect in his earliest weeks of life. His skin had become inflamed and sore, leaving him exposed and vulnerable.
“For a puppy to go from birth to being in such discomfort so quickly — it’s heartbreaking,” Andrea explained. “He had endured far more than any little dog should.”
Despite the rough start, Harold carried an undeniable spark. The moment he arrived in Andrea’s home, his spirit began to peek through the pain. It was as if he already knew he’d finally landed in a safe place.
Healing With Baths, Lotions, and Love
Andrea and her family immediately set out to help Harold recover. His care routine became a blend of medicine and affection — exactly what his body and heart needed.
Every other day, Harold was treated to a warm medicated bath, which quickly became his favorite time of day.
“He just melted in the water,” Andrea said. “He would close his eyes like he was finally comfortable. Warmth was his happy place.”
After the bath came lotion, which soothed his skin and encouraged hair growth. To seal it all in, Harold was dressed in tiny T-shirts and sweaters that made him not only cozy but adorable.
Within just a couple of weeks, Andrea began to notice the first signs of progress — a soft layer of peach fuzz pushing through his pink skin. “That was such a hopeful moment,” she said. “It felt like proof that he was on his way back.”
The Pup Who Made Everyone Smile
Healing wasn’t just physical for Harold — as his skin improved, his personality blossomed too. He revealed himself to be playful, goofy, and strangely gifted at making people laugh.
“It was almost like he wanted to make everyone around him smile,” Andrea recalled. “Every silly face, every little hop he did — it was impossible not to laugh.”
He also had a favorite spot: being carried close to Andrea’s chest. Harold thrived on touch, happiest when held like a baby. That’s when things got funny.
Because of his bare skin and the little clothes Andrea dressed him in, Harold often caused double-takes when out in public. On a few occasions, when he wore a diaper during his potty training days, strangers would stop and whisper.
“People would come up and say, ‘I thought you were holding a baby!’ or sometimes, ‘I thought that was a hairless cat!’” Andrea laughed.
Harold, blissfully unaware, simply soaked up the attention, content in the arms of his foster mom.
Finding His Forever Home
As much as Andrea adored Harold, she knew her job was to prepare him for the family he was destined to join. That day finally came when a couple, already parents to a gentle bully breed named Hippolita, met Harold.
From the very first moment, the connection was undeniable. Hippolita was patient with Harold’s puppy energy, while Harold lit up with joy around his new friend. Andrea knew instantly: this was the home Harold was meant to have.
“He’s a wild puppy, but seeing how she accepted him with such sweetness — it just felt right,” Andrea said.
Harold officially joined his new family, and Andrea’s heart was full knowing he would never face neglect again.Letting Harold go wasn’t easy. Andrea had poured her heart into his recovery, and he had given her laughter and love in return. But as she watched him thrive in his new home, she felt the true reward of fostering.
“When you’re able to pour love into a dog who desperately needs it, the gift you get back is incredible,” Andrea said. “Seeing them heal and flourish — that’s the joy of it all.”
Harold may no longer live under Andrea’s roof, but his story continues to ripple outward — reminding everyone who hears it that love, patience, and a little sweater can change a life forever.
