Some dogs are a chapter. Meatball was a plot twist. He showed up and immediately became one of those dogs who changes everything.
We had just said goodbye to our senior girl, Bonnie. And right after that, our previous foster dog Layla got adopted. We were grieving in more ways than one. Our house was too quiet, our hearts were broken, and the kind of love you give to a dog had nowhere to go.
But even when you’re hurting, you still want to help. Especially when you know there are dogs out there who need someone to say, “You’re safe now.”
Then, along came Meatball.
I saw his photo and something in me just knew. I needed to be his foster mom. Not in a casual way. In a “that’s my dog for right now and I’m going to fight for him” kind of way.
Where Meatball Came From
Meatball was pulled into rescue by Bullies-N-Beyond ResQ in Omaha, Nebraska. He was saved from a backyard breeder who had several dogs living on the property, way over the legal limit.
I was told the conditions weren’t just “not ideal.” They were heartbreaking. Several dogs were kept outside. They’d gotten loose on more than one occasion. And the part that still makes my stomach twist, even now: the dogs’ ears were cropped inhumanely, Meatball’s included.
When you meet a dog who’s been through something like that, you don’t just see a dog. You see everything they survived.
July 4th, 2023: The Day He Walked In Like He Owned the Place
We started fostering Meatball on July 4th, 2023, which is honestly hilarious timing because fireworks are usually chaos for dogs. Not for Meatball.
There were loud booms outside, and he didn’t even flinch. He was way more focused on what mattered: where he was, who we were, and what this new place meant.
He was excited. Curious. Maybe a little nervous.
And we had ZERO intention of adopting him. My mindset at the time was fostering. I wanted to help, love, support, and send dogs off to their forever homes. The plan was: Meatball would get adopted, and then we’d foster another dog.
Simple. (You can laugh now.)
He Walked in With a Big Head and an Even Bigger Heart
Meatball welcomed himself into our home like he’d been waiting for us his whole life. Immediate kisses. Goofy charm. A heart as big as his head.
But he also needed help. Real help. He came to us with the worst ear infection I’ve ever seen. On top of that, he needed to be neutered, vaccinated, and fully checked out.
So that’s what we did.
We started with healing. The kind you can measure in vet visits and medications and the kind you can’t measure at all. The kind that happens when a dog realizes they don’t have to be in survival mode anymore.
The Decompression Phase (That Barely Lasted Because He Chose Us Immediately)
The first several weeks were focused on decompression, but honestly, Meatball acclimated almost immediately. He wasn’t distant or unsure with us.
He became my shadow. My best friend. My constant little sidekick. He wanted to be with me, and he wanted to be with Troy, but mostly me. 😊
He was the true Velcro dog I’ve always wanted. It was like he’d been missing a family and recognized one the moment he found it, and just wanted to be with his people.
Potty Training, Neutering, and Becoming a Total Pro
I started teaching him the basics, including potty training, and he picked it up right away. Only a couple accidents in the house and those were mostly marking before he was neutered.
Once he was neutered and had the basics down, he was a pro.
And the best part? He wasn’t complicated. He was sweet. Gentle. Friendly. Easy to love.
Applications Started Coming In… and That’s When Things Got Complicated
Once Meatball was available for adoption, applications came in fast, which surprised absolutely no one. He had zero restrictions. He was the kind of dog who could fit into almost any home: kids, cats, other dogs, you name it.
And that’s when Troy and I had a conversation neither of us expected. After about a month of fostering and reviewing the applications, Troy looked at me and said: “Are we sure we don’t want to adopt him?”
I just stared at him. Because I’m the obsessed dog person in our family. I’m the one who bonds fast. I’m the one who cries over adoption stories online. I’m the one who is always bringing the dogs home. I’m always the one saying we should adopt every dog I love.
But this time, I had my heart set on only fostering. So, I didn’t even let myself consider otherwise.
The Moment We Realized He Was Already Home
But then we really looked at each other and realized the truth.
Meatball wasn’t just doing well with us. He was thriving. He fit into our home seamlessly and perfectly. He fit our routine. He fit our hearts.
And the biggest thing: he was dog-friendly, which meant we could still foster. He could be the perfect foster brother, the calm, steady presence for other dogs learning how to feel safe.
My motto with fostering has always been: It’s not about keeping the dog. (But it’s okay if you do.)
But with Meatball, something was different.
He tugged at my heart in a way I didn’t expect. In a way I didn’t know I needed.
August 6th, 2023: The Best Foster WIN of Our Lives
On August 6th, 2023, we made it official. We adopted Meatball. From the first day I met him, he changed me for the better. He quickly became more than a dog. He became my everything. My entire world. My soul dog.
The Underdog Who Keeps Proving Everyone Wrong
Dogs like Meatball get judged constantly. For their breed. For their size. For their looks.
But Meatball continues to show the world what we already know: Those stereotypes mean nothing compared to what’s in his heart.
He’s proof that the dogs people overlook are often the ones who love the hardest and are the ones that change your heart forever.
If Meatball’s story made you feel something, consider supporting rescue however you can: foster, volunteer, donate, adopt, support mission-driven brands like Cogs Dogs, or simply share an adoptable dog’s post. One share can change a life.
And if you think Meatball changed everything, wait until you hear what happened next, because just two months later, Meatball unexpectedly became a brother to Gracie and Abby, a senior bonded duo who desperately needed a new home. Part 2 is coming soon!
With love & pawsitivity,
Susie Cogswell, Cogs Dogs Mom
