I went to the shelter and
the rescue coordinator was like, “Nicole, I’ve got to show you something.”
These dogs are naked.
They don’t have fur.
I immediately thought they had the non-contagious mange.
And that it was going to be easily fixable.
And I was so sure that I did a live video on my way out of the shelter,
saying how no dogs are born hairless.
The guy said that they were born this way.
Puppies aren’t born this way, guys.
I learned quickly that it was not mange, it was alopecia.
Alopecia is an infection to the hair follicles in the skin,
where it causes the fur not to grow at all.
They were so scared when I first got them.
Nervous about all new experiences.
To see them grow and learn how to accept
new people, environments, and situations
has been wonderful.
They’re ready to be adopted.
Both boys, Xavier and Zander are going to be great in separate homes.
That will allow them to grow in their personality and their confidence.
So about four or five weeks ago we posted the video up,
and made them available for adoption.
And since then we’ve gotten over 50 applications for them.
I feel good about the adopters that I have found.
I’m about 25 minutes from Nicole’s House.
I’m super excited.
A little bit nervous, can’t lie about that.
- Tyler has alopecia.
- Initially I realized
something was a little off.
Every morning I would wake up and new patches of hair would be missing.
I’ve tried to pretend like it doesn’t bother me.
And it would be a lie to say that it hasn’t been difficult.
Kaitlin actually found the video of these two little hairless pups.
And when their diagnosis was a form of alopecia,
I just felt like I had to at least apply.
I absolutely do think that it was meant to be.
- Look who’s here! - Hey!
What’s up, buddy?
Obviously Xavier greeted me at the door.
Super excited, wagging his little tail.
Melted my heart.
So cute.
- So with him you get to see all the wrinkles.
Come here.
I love you. You’re such a good boy.
Are you going to be such a good boy? Yes you are.
I’m going to miss you.
- It’s about a little over two and a half hours back to Charlotte.
Get him acquainted with where he’s going to be living his new life.
- We are on our way to pick up our puppy.
I am so nervous and excited to get this puppy.
We’ve been on the road for —
We’ve been driving for six hours. I’m exhausted.
- I realized I wanted to adopt Zander
when I saw him sitting in the video.
And his little butt wrinkles.
He looked like an armadillo.
And it was just the cutest thing in the world.
And I was like, this dog is perfect.
- I really liked how engaging Aida and Tyler were.
They have a German Shepherd, and they’re active people.
I feel like Zander would really enjoy that kind of outdoor, active life.
- Hi.
- Hey buddy.
- Hi friend!
- Now I’m just jealous of him.
- She’s like, “Uh, excuse me?” - Hey Zander.
- Say, we do like the taste of beards.
- Oh my god, yes. Thank you.
- From here we travel to his new home in Birmingham.
We got a new baby.
- Bye handsome boy. One more kiss, yes.
One more kiss.
Going to go live my best life.
But I’m going to miss him so much.
But this is what fostering is all about.
You get them through the tough times,
and then you find them the perfect home.
- You get to see Tank.
And your new house, and your new yard.
And get to finally get out of this truck.
- He has been sleeping like a log this whole trip.
I don’t know if you can see him back there,
but he is just conked out.
- Zander is back here
just hanging out.
Oh my goodness.
- We’re here.
- Welcome home.
- Oh, that’s a good boy. Oh —
Come on, buddy. Let’s go see our new home.
Oh, look!
Oh!
Oh, look at this place.
Oh, what is going on?
Come on, buddy.
There’s your new bed.
Hey, Tank!
It’s your new big brother.
The first meeting with Tank went better than expected.
- Tank was just kind of like, "Oh, hey."
Zander got a little scared.
Eventually they came around.
They did well together.
- Hold on. Come here.
He walked in and I took him off the leash,
and he just started jotting around like a little rocket.
Just checking all the corners.
Looking through all the crevices.
He looked down the windows, watching all the people walking down below.
We’re going to go downstairs, and meet your big brother, Kona,
and dog mom, Kaitlin.
Look, he’s so excited.
Kona, come over here.
Look at this! This is your little brother.
I know, you haven’t seen me in two days. I know.
This happy little waggy dog.
And it might take him a little bit to kind of get more comfortable with him
and realize that this is his new brother.
You’re going to spend tons of time together.
Every day you guys are going to be hanging out. It’s okay.
Hey.
- Hi.
- Oh my god, they look exactly the same.
- Exactly the same. It’s so funny.
- So how is he doing with Kona?
- First couple of days he was just really nervous.
Probably by like day three,
it was like instant connection.
He will not leave Kona alone now.
All he does is wants to play with him.
I think I made the right decision in adopting Xavier.
It made me feel a lot more secure
in having to shave my head now.
I know we’re going to take care of him through everything.
We’re going to be there for him, and just give him
that love and affection that every dog should get.
- Yeah, this guy has been incredible.
And he’s brought us so much joy since we've had him.
- I think Zander is going to be very loved,
very spoiled, and he’s going to have a great life with us.