Rescue Dog Returned, Becomes Terminally Ill — Foster Carer Knows What To Do
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A rescue dog was left facing the bleakest of futures after being returned to the shelter and subsequently diagnosed with terminal cancer. Then something truly remarkable happened.
When Macchiato the 75-pound pit bull terrier mix first came to Best Friends Animal Society in New York City in November 2024, she was in bad shape, emaciated and beaten up, roaming the streets as a stray.
It was clear to everyone at Best Friends that Macchiato would benefit from a foster stay, and they knew exactly who to ask. Mo Hussain is a seasoned volunteer and foster with the national animal welfare organization. He also has a track record for helping pit-bull terriers find loving homes.
"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 told Newsweek.
"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 have all found homes, and it's such a great feeling."
A foster carer can make a huge difference to a shelter dog. A 2018 study published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science found just 15 minutes of one-on-one petting was enough to boost the well-being of a shelter dog.
A foster stay serves as an extension of that idea, giving shelter dogs a chance to decompress, grow used to a domestic setting, and, in time, let their true personality emerge.
Hussain saw that personality emerge early on with Macchiato. "I was completely impressed with how mild-mannered, elegant and ladylike she was," he said. "Macchiato 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."
Mo Hussain and Macchiato stop for a photo while out walking together in the streets.
Mo Hussain and Macchiato stop for a photo while out walking together in the streets.
Mo Hussain/Best Friends Animal Society
Hussain got the sense Macchiato was "appreciative" of being in a home. "She would willingly go in her crate without being asked to and sit with her legs crossed," he said. "Her eyes are also very soft, and clearly she has a warm soul."
Macchiato's size and breed sometimes made Hussain feel "self-conscious" when out and about in New York. However, he instead found himself being stopped by people taken by her eyes and how she seemed "so demure and clearly a gentle, loving creature."
Hussain can still recall the conflicting emotions he had when he informed Macchiato had been adopted. "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.
Macchiato spent six months with her new family, but sadly it did not last. She was returned, with her adopters citing a busy work schedule as the chief reason for her return.
There would be more heartbreaking news to come. Soon after her return, Best Friends staff noticed a mass on Macchiato's neck. A biopsy revealed devastating news: Macchiato had aggressive, inoperable cancer that had already spread to multiple lymph nodes.
Despite the diagnosis, everyone at Best Friends felt Macchiato still had more life to live—and they were determined to make every day as special for her as she was to them.
That was when Hussain stepped back in. "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.
"Then, in the next breath, I heard that she was terminally ill and that the team would hate to have her spend any more time in the shelter than absolutely necessary, so I didn't hesitate to jump into service," he said.
Hussain agreed to provide "fospice" care for Macchiato. "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."
It has been five weeks since Hussain agreed to take Macchiato home and she is living her best-possible life. She still enjoys daily walks in the park, playtime with her canine friends, and countless cozy moments with her foster dad. Together, they are making memories to last a lifetime.
"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."
From left: Macchiato plays with Mo Hussain; and relaxes in a park.
From left: Macchiato plays with Mo Hussain; and relaxes in a park.
Mo Hussain/Best Friends Animal Society
Hussain said he hopes Macchiato's story encourages others to foster and also provide care to those dogs entering the final stages of their lives.
"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.
"I hope people take away that fostering is a great way to help shelter pets and I hope that, by them reading this, I can inspire more people to foster."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
24 minutes ago
- Newsweek
4-Year-Old Can't Use Fire Escape, Horror as Mom Sees What the Problem Is
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A mother-of-two was left squirming after discovering an unexpected guest blocking the fire exits by her son's bedroom window. In a video posted to TikTok under the handle @midwestmillennialmomma, the mom, who has yet to share her full name with Newsweek, can be heard audibly reacting to the sight of the unwanted guest. "Get it out," her 4-year-old son is heard to ask repeatedly on the clip. Unfortunately, his mom is powerless to help: it's a snake and she really hates snakes. "He saw the snake in his bedroom window well, when playing with his Legos and ran to tell me there is a snake in his fire escape because we taught him that window may need to be used for a fire exit if ever a fire," the mom told Newsweek. "I've always been afraid of snakes so I was nervous to go see it." She's not alone in being fearful of snakes. In 2016, a study published in the journal Psychiatry Research concluded that around half the population feels "anxious" about snakes while 3 percent meet the criteria for having a phobia of snakes. The mom behind the @midwestmillennialmomma undoubtedly falls into the latter category, which made dealing with the predicament presented by her son challenging to say the least. The only real positive was that the snake itself was not a large or venomous one. "It was a garter snake which is harmless besides the fear it creates," the mom said. The mom had been planning on enlisting the help of her better half in dealing with the serpent intruder. Unfortunately, that didn't quite work out. "I was hoping my husband would get it out and move it somewhere far away from our property; however, after a few days of it being there and him also not wanting to try get it out, I asked a friend if I could borrow their grabber claw to try get it out," the mom said. It looked like the mom was going to have to face her fear if she wanted to evict the family's new reptile roommate. Thankfully, the friend she was borrowing the grabber from stepped up. "She knew how afraid I was and ended up coming over and getting it out herself which I was immensely thankful to her for doing," the mom said. The situation has improved immensely since then with the mom pleased to report that the snake has yet to return to the spot by her son's fire exit. "Every day, I peak in his window well to see if any new critters are there," the mom said. "A few days after we got the snake out a gopher was in there." She added:"It seems the gopher can get in and out on its on with the ladder though because I haven't seen it since." Decidedly cuddlier and cuter, the arrival of the gopher has helped the mom and son to view the fire escape in an altogether different way. "I've decided his window well is like our own version of National Geographic as we've had frogs and a mole in there before," the mom said. As long as the snakes stay away, she's fine with that.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Rescue Dog Left Home Alone—Woman Left Heartbroken by Note From Neighbor
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A woman has revealed the heartbreaking note she received from her neighbors after adopting a dog who spent 7 years in a puppy mill. Emily Hanson, 38, initially started fostering Otto, the Shih-tzu in June 2024. He was estimated to be around 7 years old, and it's likely that he'd spent his entire life in a cage. There was no denying that the life he had to endure took its toll on Otto. Hanson told Newsweek that he was "so anxious that he didn't sleep" for the first 24 hours that she had him. Even when he did manage to rest, he would sleep in "very small increments" because he just couldn't settle. It took Otto several weeks to develop a proper sleep schedule, and he's still afraid of certain things (plates and bowls to name a few). Nonetheless, he's come an awful long way, and he was officially adopted by Hanson in July 2024. "I'm so proud of him and the progress he's made," Hanson, of Columbus, Ohio, said. "He's come such a long way. His Shih-tzu personality shines now, and he learned to go down steps and go in the grass." Otto the rescue dog, and the note Hanson received from her neighbors. Otto the rescue dog, and the note Hanson received from her neighbors. @miltonandotto / TikTok Shortly after adopting Otto, Hanson received a handwritten letter from her neighbors saying that the dog "has been pretty loud" and "seems to be anxious" whenever she's gone. The note continued: "Wanted to make sure you knew about it, and get your pup feeling okay and comfortable when you're gone from the apartment. Thanks, your neighbors." As soon as she read the letter, Hanson "felt terrible" for Otto and her neighbors too. She has a pet cam in her apartment, so she was aware that Otto had separation anxiety, but she had hoped that it didn't bother her neighbors. Hanson said: "I lived in a building with 9 other units, so the noise was likely disruptive. I had been taking him everywhere I could. I pretty much knew every dog friendly bar and restaurant in the Columbus area. And though I only worked in the office two days a week, he was not welcome at a corporate office. So, I guess I hoped the neighbors wouldn't be home during that time." Upon reading the letter, Hanson knew she needed to make it up to her neighbors. She bought Starbucks gift cards for everyone on her floor and the person who lives directly beneath her apartment. She also wrote notes for them to explain Otto's backstory, in which she told them he'd been rescued from a puppy mill "where he was kept in a cage for 7 years." She thanked them for their patience and understanding, and said she was actively working on his separation anxiety. The note Hanson wrote for her neighbors to apologize and explain. The note Hanson wrote for her neighbors to apologize and explain. @miltonandotto / TikTok While she isn't certain which neighbor wrote the letter, Hanson has spoken directly to some of the people in her building and they were very understanding. It's been 12 months since she received that letter, and Otto has made great strides in that time. For the most part, he doesn't bark or whine when Hanson leaves now. Whenever she checks the pet cam, he's usually asleep with his blind rescue brother named Milton. "He does get sad when I leave, but he is doing so well. He was not left alone for more than 30 minutes to an hour after that note. He either went to a friend's who was home, or a dog sitter. Little by little, I tried various ways to leave him, and one day, miraculously, there was no barking, crying or scratching. And it just got better from there," Hanson continued. Indeed, Hanson told Newsweek that Milton "appreciates the peace" now too as they can both get their beauty sleep. The proud owner often documents the lives of her rescue dogs on their dedicated TikTok account (@miltonandotto), and in July she shared a post about the note her neighbors wrote. The post has melted hearts in a matter of days, leading to more than 38,200 views and over 3,200 likes on TikTok at the time of writing. The online response has been incredibly uplifting, as Hanson hopes to show that rescue dogs are capable of thriving if they're given patience and love. "Everyone, for the most part, is supportive and proud of Otto for being such a champ. I hope we are helping to educate people on the horrors of puppy mills but also the strength and resilience of dogs. It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to watch Otto thrive," Hanson said. Otto's story has generated over 100 comments on TikTok, as internet users praised the progress he's made so far. One comment reads: "such a brave little soul!" Another TikTok user wrote: "That was such a sweet and thoughtful note they left, glad he's doing better." Another person responded: "Beautiful story and ending." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Newsweek
Four Signs You're the 'Fringe Friend,' According to a Psychologist
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A psychologist has gone viral for breaking down the four signs you are a "fringe friend"—a person who hovers on the outskirts of their social circle rather than being emotionally prioritized within it. Dr. Christie Ferrari (@christie_ferrari), a clinical psychologist, shared her now-viral video on Instagram, which has amassed over 4.8 million views. In it, she explores the signs, impact, and psychology behind feeling like a permanent afterthought in your friend group. "As a clinical psychologist, I've worked with many women who describe a very specific emotional experience in friendships," Ferrari told Newsweek. "They're dependable, supportive, and present, yet often feel like they're on the fringe of their friend group. They're technically included, but not emotionally prioritized. They feel like they're orbiting the group instead of belonging in it." A split image of Christie Ferrari: the first of her posing beside a table with the first sign you are the fringe friend: "You know everyone's story but non one stops to ask you your".... A split image of Christie Ferrari: the first of her posing beside a table with the first sign you are the fringe friend: "You know everyone's story but non one stops to ask you your". The second image shows her sporting a long white gown looking at her phone with another tell-tale sign written over the image: "You used to reach out. But after being ignored or canceled on too many times, you gave up. And no one noticed." More Christie_ferrari/Christie_ferrari Ferrari coined the term "fringe friend" to give a name to this dynamic. "There wasn't a widely recognized term to fully capture this in-between experience," she explained. "While it's not a clinical diagnosis, it's a useful and relatable label that gives language to a subtle but painful pattern many people silently experience." Ferrari emphasized that terms like "fringe friend" are meant to increase self-awareness, not to label or blame others. Just as popular terms like "toxic positivity" and "ghosting" helped articulate difficult social phenomena, "fringe friend" names a common but often unspoken emotional reality. The concept is grounded in psychological research on social exclusion, emotional labor, and belonging. According to Ferrari, even subtle forms of neglect—being included in name but not truly prioritized—can be as painful as outright rejection. Research by Baumeister and Leary on the human need to belong supports this, showing that emotional neglect can cause significant psychological distress. The term also reflects what psychologists call peripheral group membership—being part of a group but not central to it. From her clinical work and personal experience, Ferrari identified four signs that someone may be a fringe friend: You know everyone's story, but no one stops to ask you yours. You're the listener and the supporter, but when it's your turn to speak, the conversation shifts. Ferrari explained this as a form of "relational invisibility"—often unintentional, but deeply impactful. You used to be the one that always reached out. But after being ignored or canceled on too many times, you gave up—and no one noticed. This reflects an emotional labor imbalance. "They noticed when you offered something but not when you pulled back," Ferrari said. "That's because they valued the function, not the friendship." You brought two people together and now they hang out without you. Serving as the social bridge can feel devastating when you're later excluded. Ferrari described this as "relational displacement," which can be especially painful when there was no conflict—just gradual erasure. They say you're always welcome, but never actually invite you. This kind of "passive exclusion" creates what Ferrari calls ambiguous belonging. You're technically not left out, but you're also not genuinely chosen. Ferrari has personal experience with this pattern, which has fueled her passion for helping others recognize it. "I've been the one who introduced people, only to be edged out," she said. "The one who remembered everyone's birthday, while mine went unnoticed." A turning point came when she discovered her friends had gone to a concert she wanted to attend—without inviting her, despite an active group chat. "That's when it sunk in—I had been over-functioning in my friendships to stay included," she explained. So what psychological toll can this take? "Being the fringe friend creates emotional ambiguity," Ferrari explained. "You're technically included but rarely prioritized, and over time, this can lead to low self-worth, people-pleasing, and even social anxiety." The brain processes social rejection in the same regions as physical pain, she added, and fringe friends often find themselves hyperaware of group dynamics, over-accommodating, and ruminating just to maintain their social place. As for who tends to become the fringe friend, Ferrari says it's often the "peacekeepers, the givers—people who want everyone else to feel comfortable, even at their own expense." They are often highly emotionally attuned but struggle to ask for reciprocity. To break the cycle, Ferrari recommends a three-step self-check: Audit your group chat and texts. Are you the one always initiating? Pause for two to three weeks and see who notices or reaches out. Ask yourself: "If I stopped giving so much, would this friendship still exist?" The answer can clarify whether you're being appreciated—or just tolerated. Relearn the difference between connection and performance. Try showing up without overexplaining, fixing, or "managing the vibe." That, Ferrari says, is where true healing begins. Her message struck a chord with thousands of Instagram users, many of whom saw themselves reflected in her words. "'Being welcome but never actually invited'...ah yes, feels all too familiar," wrote one commenter. "This made me so sad! Felt it to the core," said another. "And what if all the fringe friends in the comments got together and we all became friends?" one person joked, echoing the shared sense of longing. "When you have a kind soul, a weird sense of humor, and offer unquestionable loyalty... you don't lose anybody, they lose you," added another user. Do you have any viral videos or pictures that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.
