Bay Area Animal Rescue Pairs Up Dog And Child Who Both Have The Same Rare Congenital Disorder

Umbrella of Hope, the San Francisco Bay Area animal rescue group, is at it once again—uniting a special dog with a special family. Many may remember last year’s viral story of Fireman, the chihuahua puppy who was abandoned at a shelter after suffering third-degree chemical burns. For those that don’t remember, or never heard, Fireman found a home with Chloe, a twelve year old burn survivor, who understood Fireman’s unique struggles and needs.

This year, Umbrella of Hope is doing it again! Fleetwood Mac is an 8 yr old tan chihuahua who is happy, loving and gentle and was pulled into Umbrella of Hope after an extended stay at the Contra Costa Animal Services shelter in Martinez, CA. He was born with Ectrodactyly - a rare physical trait that makes him extraordinarily special. He was posted for adoption on all of the regular outlets and and didn’t get any local adoption requests. Didn’t the public realize how special this little dog was? And then came a WONDERFUL idea...

Maybe matching Fleetwood Mac with someone who would understand him best would help create the special kind of match that would bring smiles to faces and help teach the world that being a little different is okay... Umbrella of Hope decided to draw on their previous experience with Fireman, and look for a more personal match. Through a series of searches and social media postings, they were able to locate a support group for families dealing with Ectrodactyly and found a lovely family with an incredibly special child.

On March 8th, 2016, Fleetwood Mac will get on a plane with a Umbrella of Hope volunteer, and make the journey from San Francisco to Chicago and then the drive to Indiana. In Indiana, Fleetwood Mac will meet his new family, including Grace—a seven-month-old girl also born with Ectrodactyly affecting both hands and both feet.. Nothing can hold little Grace back, she's a strong and happy little girl! She already has a canine best friend called Charlie, who she follows around everywhere. Grace's family were looking to expand their pack and luckily Fleetwood is a perfect match. Finding an owner who is just like Fleetwood is incredibly special and poignant.

At the heart of this all, is love and dedication. The love and dedication of a special family, meeting the love and dedication of a special animal rescue group. A special girl and a special dog—now that is something worth smiling about. Umbrella of Hope is hoping for a happily ever after and to inspire many other similar matches in shelters and rescues all over the country and beyond. People helping animals and animals helping people.

To wish this new pair well please visit Umbrella of Hope https://www.facebook.com/Umbrellaofhope/ or find them on Twitter or Instagram. Umbrella of Hope can be contacted at beourpet@gmail.com and tax-deductible donations can be made through their website www.beourpet.org or https://www.paypal.me/UOH

More info: Facebook