Grape, a sweet bulldog with a big personality, was surrendered by a breeder to a local rescue before being taken in by Roadogs Rescue. From the start, his rescuers saw something special in him. Despite facing numerous medical issues, something Roadogs specializes in, they believed Grape deserved a chance.
“You name it, Grape’s probably got it,” Cailee Betrus, his foster mom, shared with The Dodo. “But Roadogs Rescue believes dogs like Grape deserve a chance, too. You can’t just throw an animal away because it needs extra care. He brings people so much joy — he is just a wonderful little guy.”
Grape’s Unique Personality Shines Through
Despite his medical issues, Grape is full of joy. Smaller than the average bulldog and with a slightly different appearance, he’s never let that stop him from living life to the fullest.
“Grape has a HUGE personality,” said Betrus. “We joke that he is a toddler wrapped in fur. His favorite thing is human attention, and he wants to be held and loved 24/7. He’s goofy and loves to be dressed up.”
After months of searching for a home, Grape’s foster mom tried a new approach. She decided to take him to a local mall for a pet day with Santa, hoping to give him some exposure.
“I saw the mall was doing a pet day with Santa and knew Grape needed to go,” Betrus explained. “He loves riding in his stroller, dressed up, and meeting people. I knew he would make so many people smile.”
Grape’s Heartwarming Encounter with Santa
From the moment he arrived, Grape was overjoyed. He soaked in the attention, meeting everyone with excitement, while his foster mom made sure to attach a sign to his stroller, letting everyone know he was looking for his forever home. It was an overwhelming success, with Grape touching the hearts of so many people.
“People are always shocked when they see a dog like Grape in person,” said Betrus. “It’s obvious he has some congenital issues because he’s a little wonky and small for his breed. They’re always curious and ask questions, and it gives us a chance to talk about rescue and adoption. Once they interact with him and see how gentle and sweet he is, he steals hearts. One girl working at Santa’s workshop even cried meeting him — his sign and face broke her heart.”
Grape is Ready for His Forever Home
Grape is looking for a home where he can be the only dog and the center of attention. He would thrive with someone who spends a lot of time at home and wouldn’t mind taking him in his stroller when they go out. He’d also do best with someone who has some experience with bulldogs to better understand his needs. Ultimately, though, Grape just wants to be showered with love.
“Essentially, Grape wants to be the apple of your eye,” Betrus said.