Student Adopts Senior Chihuahua with Alopecia

Hazel was in poor condition when Charisma, a volunteer with a rescue organization and college student, first met her. Nevertheless, it was a case of love at first sight, as the tiny dog's appearance or medical conditions didn't matter to her.

Hazel was rescued from a hoarding situation and brought to OC Pom Rescue in California along with 52 Pomeranians. It was said that Hazel belonged to a hoarder's neighbour who decided that since her other pets were attacking the pup, it might be best to give her up.

"As we were loading all of the dogs off the truck, they told us there was gonna be one Chihuahua in there, and we were baffled by that," Charisma recalls. "But when I saw her come off the truck as we were unloading them, everybody just stopped, and it was like a communal, 'Ohh.'"

Even though Charisma had no intentions of fostering or adopting a dog at the time, she knew she wanted Hazel with her immediately after she saw her.

Charisma and her 14-year-old sister, Caris, co-adopted the nine-year-old pup officially. They named her Hazel in honour of witch hazel and because it seemed like a traditional old-lady name.

It wasn't all rosy initially because Hazel was scared of people. However, with time and care, she slowly adjusted. Now, she enjoys socializing with new people and other dogs.