This Tennessee Dog Gave Birth in the Freezing Cold — Now She’s Ready for Adoption

On one of the coldest nights of the year in Chattanooga, Tennessee, a pregnant stray dog found refuge on a stranger’s porch and gave birth, doing her best to keep her six newborn puppies alive. Temperatures had plunged to 10°F, putting the new mom and her puppies at risk of frostbite, hypothermia, and worse.

Just days earlier, Your Local Fur Mama, a foster-based kitten and puppy rescue in Chattanooga, had taken in another mother and litter who had suffered frostbite after being exposed to the bitter cold. Some of those puppies hadn’t survived.

The rescue knew history could repeat itself if they didn’t spring into action. There was just one problem: Every foster home in their network was already full.

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Making room for seven more

With seven lives on the line, Your Local Fur Mama’s adoption coordinator improvised. With a house already full of fosters, the only space she had left was her master bathroom, so that’s where the new family went.

Mama Crockpot and her six appropriately soup-named puppies — Broccoli Cheddar, Chicken Noodle, Chowder, Matzoball, Minestrone, and Miso — were finally safe, warm, and fed. But it quickly became clear that surviving the cold wasn’t the only hardship Mama Crockpot had endured.

She was terrified of people and sudden movements and loud noises sent her cowering. She didn’t want to be touched, and for two weeks, she refused to leave the bathroom at all. Her incredible foster mom gave her the space she needed and cleaned up all her potty accidents. 

Based on Mama Crockpot’s fearful behavior, the rescue suspects she may have experienced abuse in her past.

Your Local Fur Mama/

From terrified mama to social butterfly

Despite her fear, Mama Crockpot rocked motherhood. Once her maternal duties were over, she moved into a foster home with the rescue’s founder and began a transformation of her own.

Little by little, Mama Crockpot learned that humans weren’t something to fear. In fact, she discovered that she really, really likes them.

Today, the once-frightened dog who wouldn’t leave a bathroom is almost unrecognizable. Mama Crockpot loves meeting new people and spending time with her foster family. She lives with a toddler whom she adores and has done well with the other children she’s met. 

She’s also a social butterfly with animal friends: She loves other dogs, gets along with cats, and regularly attends doggie daycare, where she loves playing with her pals and making new human friends.

And at around 67 pounds, Mama Crockpot hasn’t quite gotten the memo that she’s a large dog. If there’s an available lap, she will almost certainly try to squeeze herself onto it.

What Mama Crockpot is looking for in a home

At just under two years old, this Shepherd-Hound mix still has plenty of youthful energy and would love a family ready to include her in their adventures. She’s always up for walks, hikes, backyard zoomies, and playtime. She walks well on a leash with minimal pulling and is already house-trained and crate-trained.

Mama Crockpot is looking for a person or family who will spend plenty of time with her and continue showing her just how good life can be. In return, they’ll get a playful, affectionate companion who seems genuinely grateful for every moment.

Like many young dogs, Mama Crockpot would benefit from continued basic obedience training. But considering how much she’s already learned in just a matter of months, this resilient, smart pup has shown she’s more than capable of learning new things with a little practice.

And, of course, there’s another feature her future family will get to enjoy every day: those ears. Seriously, have you seen them?!

How has nobody applied for Mama Crockpot?

Despite everything Mama Crockpot has going for her, her rescuers have been left scratching their heads over one thing: In more than six months, she hasn’t received a single adoption application.

At 67 pounds, she is a large dog, which could be one reason she’s been overlooked. Beyond that, though, everyone is baffled that this sweet, social, beautiful girl hasn’t been scooped up yet. She’s got it all: brains, beauty, personality, good manners, and a heart of gold. Now, she just needs a permanent home.

Could you be Mama Crockpot’s happily ever after?

Mama Crockpot is currently being fostered through Your Local Fur Mama in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but she can be transported to a number of locations throughout the continental U.S. The rescue is even offering $100 off her adoption fee.

Could you be the person or family Mama Crockpot has been waiting for? To ask about adopting this absolute gem of a dog, visit her adoption profile. 

Still searching for your new best friend?

If Mama Crockpot has already found her home by the time you’re reading this, there are many other wonderful dogs waiting at Your Local Fur Mama and other shelters and rescues across the country.

You can browse adoptable pets through Adopt a Pet and sign up for New Pet Alerts to get notified when adoptable dogs who match your preferences become available.