Clifford was only 17 days old when he arrived at the SPCA of Northern Nevada. He was born with a cleft lip and couldn’t nurse like his siblings. It was clear he needed round-the-clock care to grow strong and healthy.
While he was the runt of the litter, he was a fighter and sweetheart, with a gentle spirit that made us melt. We knew this little guy had a lot of love to give, and we were committed to helping him get the care he deserved.
Thankfully, a devoted foster family stepped in to give Clifford the care he needed.
Thankfully, a devoted foster family stepped up to give him everything he needed: round-the-clock bottle feedings, socialization, and endless cuddles.
Clifford thrived under their watch. He relished the attention he received, eagerly bouncing into his foster parents’ arms whenever he saw them. He loved mealtime, which proved to be a messy ordeal as he often ate with both front paws inside the bowl. He also looked up to his foster brothers, following closely behind them as he learned what it meant to be a dog.
As he captured hearts at home, he was also charming our staff and community. From his first bottle to his first zoomies, Clifford’s journey was followed closely by our supporters. He quickly became a fan favorite, bringing smiles to everyone who met him or followed his updates online.
While his neuter surgery was a success, his cleft lip correction surgery didn’t last.
After eight weeks in foster care, Clifford was finally ready to get neutered. While sedated, our talented veterinarian took that opportunity to carefully repair Clifford’s cleft lip. Whether it would improve his ability to eat was undetermined, but it was worth exploring!
Our talented vet spent hours preparing for the delicate procedure, carefully stitching Clifford’s lip with slow, precise work.
That exploration lasted one day. Less than 24 hours later, Clifford tore through the stitches. We took it as a sign. Seeing as how it didn’t impact his health or happiness, we decided to leave the decision for any future repair up to his eventual adopter. Besides, we thought he looked uniquely adorable with his crooked smile.
Clifford was always where he was meant to be, and it’s all thanks to your support.
As Clifford continued to grow, so did his place in his foster family’s hearts. It became clear: he was already home. They adopted him and gave him a name that matched his strong, sweet spirit—Groot, after the loyal and resilient Marvel character.
Today, Groot is thriving. He spends his days romping in the yard with his furry siblings, snuggling in his parents’ arms while they read, and living the carefree, joy-filled life he always deserved. And yes, he occasionally still puts a front paw in his food.