Rescue Dog Returns, Faces Terminal Illness—Foster Knows the Way

A Second Chance for a Resilient Dog

A rescue dog named Macchiato faced what seemed like an impossible situation when she was returned to the shelter and later diagnosed with terminal cancer. However, her story took a remarkable turn thanks to the compassion of a dedicated foster caregiver.

Macchiato, a 75-pound pit bull terrier mix, arrived at Best Friends Animal Society in New York City in November 2024 in terrible condition—emaciated and beaten up, having lived as a stray on the streets. The staff at Best Friends knew she needed more than just temporary care; they believed she would benefit from a foster home.

Mo Hussain, a seasoned volunteer and foster with Best Friends, was the perfect person to take her in. With a history of helping pit-bull terriers find loving homes, Hussain had earned a reputation for being reliable with larger dogs that often face misconceptions.

“I’ve been told by Leah Cohn, foster manager at Best Friends in Soho, that she sees certain dogs and thinks to herself, ‘That’s a Mo dog,’” Hussain said. “I suspect that I have become a reliable foster for larger dogs, perhaps breeds that have misconceptions like Staffordshire and pit-bull terriers. Macchiato was probably my fourth foster that year. They all found homes, and it’s such a great feeling.”

Foster care can make a significant difference in a shelter dog’s life. A 2018 study published in Applied Animal Behavior Science showed that even 15 minutes of one-on-one interaction could improve a shelter dog’s well-being. A foster stay extends this idea, giving dogs a chance to adjust to a domestic environment and reveal their true personalities.

Hussain quickly noticed Macchiato’s gentle nature. “I was completely impressed with how mild-mannered, elegant, and ladylike she was,” he said. “She had an unofficial nickname after a few days in my house. I started calling her Lady. She was emaciated and a bit battered, but carried herself with an Audrey Hepburn-like grace.”

Macchiato’s behavior showed she appreciated being in a home. “She would willingly go in her crate without being asked to and sit with her legs crossed,” Hussain explained. “Her eyes are also very soft, and clearly she has a warm soul.”

Despite her size and breed, which sometimes made Hussain feel self-conscious in public, people were often drawn to Macchiato’s kind eyes and gentle demeanor. “She seemed so demure and clearly a gentle, loving creature,” he said.

When Macchiato was adopted, Hussain felt a mix of emotions. “I was overcome with a bittersweet sadness that she was adopted so quickly and my time with her was brief. But I was obviously happy that such a sweet dog would have her permanent home,” he said.

However, the adoption didn’t last. After six months, Macchiato was returned due to her adopters’ busy work schedules. Soon after, a mass on her neck was discovered, leading to a devastating diagnosis: aggressive, inoperable cancer that had spread to multiple lymph nodes.

Despite this, the team at Best Friends remained determined to make every day meaningful for Macchiato. That’s when Hussain stepped in again. “When I learned that she was back at Best Friends and in need of help, I was doubly sad for her. How could such a sweet dog be ‘returned?’” he said.

Hussain agreed to provide “fospice” care for Macchiato, combining fostering with palliative care. “Part of me was just happy to have an opportunity to see her again,” he said. “Another part of me was happy to help her have more comfort and dignity in her life, even if only briefly.”

Over the past five weeks, Macchiato has been living her best possible life. She still enjoys daily walks in the park, playtime with other dogs, and cozy moments with Hussain. Together, they are creating lasting memories.

“She has higher energy days and lower energy days. It’s always nice to see a gleam in her eye and a tail emphatically and excessively wagging. Some days, she lays around a bit more,” Hussain said. “However, when we get her into off-leash hours at Fort Greene Park in the mornings, she comes to life, chasing a ball and running around with other dogs. But it takes a bit out of her, and she needs to rest up.”

Hussain hopes Macchiato’s story inspires others to foster and provide care for dogs in their final stages of life. “Sharing some time and space with a dog and providing palliative care can be deeply rewarding,” he said. “I’d like to think that my dog, who went to doggy heaven 15 years ago, is looking down on me with approving eyes and is proud of what I am doing.”

He encourages more people to consider fostering. “Fostering is a great way to help shelter pets, and I hope that by reading this, I can inspire more people to foster.”