When veterinary technician Kel Izumine first held the tiny, 5-ounce pit bull puppy in her hands, she couldn’t believe anyone would want to end her life.
The puppy’s front leg was badly injured, and her breeder had brought her in to be euthanized. But as the fragile newborn rested against Izumine’s chest, something in her stirred.
“She was so small, so helpless — and they just wanted to give up on her,” Izumine said. “I knew she deserved a chance.”
Izumine, founder and director of Rock And Roll Rescue Hospice House (RARR), convinced the breeder to surrender the puppy instead. The moment they agreed, the tiny life before her suddenly had a future.
“She had a really severe injury to her arm,” Izumine recalled. “But I knew even with three legs, she could live a full and happy life.”
The puppy — soon named MJ — underwent two emergency surgeries before she was even 2 months old. She lost her leg, but not her spark.
“Since literally day one, she’s been the most dramatic, vocal, loud personality I’ve ever seen,” Izumine laughed. “She would literally yell in celebration after every milestone.”
Despite her rough start, MJ radiated joy. Everyone at the clinic fell in love with her. Nurses would compete for turns to take her home on weekends — her playful energy was irresistible.
“At work, people would fight over who got to take her,” Izumine said. “She was just so much fun to have around.”
As the weeks passed, MJ thrived — bounding through leash-training sessions and learning to balance her new body with unshakable confidence. When she was finally ready for adoption, Izumine didn’t have to look far.
“One of my best friends adopted her,” she said.
On the day of her adoption, MJ’s tail wagged nonstop as she met her forever family.
“It’s like she knew — like, ‘OK, this is my next chapter. This is forever,’” Izumine said.
You can watch MJ meet her new family here:
Renamed Nebula, the once-rejected puppy grew into a radiant, playful soul who filled every room with laughter and love.
The years following her rescue were filled with bliss, thanks to the one person who refused to give up on her in the first place.
“I’m just endlessly grateful she made it through like a champ,” Izumine said.
Sadly, in 2023, at just 2 years old, Nebula passed away from a rare spinal cord disease. Her loss left her community heartbroken — but her story still shines as a testament to compassion and second chances.
“You are the momma and the family I wish all animals could have,” Izumine wrote to Nebula’s adopter, Dr. Drea Dillon, on Facebook. “Your sunshine will shine even brighter with the best guardian angel.”
Nebula’s short life was filled with joy, warmth, and love — all because one person refused to give up on her.
To help puppies like MJ and Nebula get the care they deserve, you can donate to Rock And Roll Rescue Hospice House here.
