Tilapia, Sundresses, and the Chihuahua Who Could

There are inspirational stories, and then there’s Little Bit—the pint-sized Chihuahua who survived an RV fire, endured two painful years without proper medical care, and ultimately taught an entire community the meaning of resilience, hope, and fabulous canine fashion sense.

But let's rewind a bit, because every superhero has an origin story, and Little Bit’s starts with another dog: Buffy.

Sundress season looks better on Little Bit.

Buffy was the soul-dog of Karen Martiny, who swapped blueprints for paw prints when Buffy inspired her to leave her stable career at an architectural firm to launch Animal Rescue of the Rockies (ARR).

Buffy’s legacy would lead Karen straight to Little Bit.

When Little Bit first crossed paths with Karen, the Chihuahua mix had already endured unimaginable pain. With 30% of her tiny body burned and no medical care for two years from her former owners, Little Bit was finally surrendered to a shelter in New Mexico.  Animal Rescue of the Rockies learned of her distress and brought her to Colorado, where she was cared for by a loving foster mom in Denver.  At the same time, Karen was carrying her own heartache—she had recently lost her beloved little dog, Maizy, to heart disease. When Karen heard Little Bit’s story, she knew immediately that this wasn’t just another rescue—this was a dog whose spirit whispered loudly of determination.

The community rallied, donating generously for Little Bit’s care. Antibiotics were essential to start the healing process. But typical burn treatments weren’t working. And that’s when Karen turned to something unusual—a fish. Yes, you read that right: fish.

Inspired by wildlife burn treatments, Karen and her veterinarian experimented with tilapia fish skin oil. It was unconventional, to say the least, but desperate times call for fin-tastic measures. And slowly, miraculously, it worked. Little Bit's scorched skin began to heal.

But the journey wasn't quite over. Her veterinarian carefully removed 3/8 inch of scar tissue to allow new skin to flourish, paving the way for a new chapter of pain-free living.

Today, Little Bit is thriving. At 10 years old, she enjoys a pain-free existence filled with sunny days, chic sundresses designed specifically to shield her delicate new skin, and a sunscreen regimen even the most vigilant dermatologist would applaud. Sure, she weighs about as much as a loaf of bread, but in her mind, she’s every ounce a 150-pound pitbull—fearless, and full of joy.

Thanks to Animal Rescue of the Rockies and its army of supporters, these incredible animals continue to teach us all a vital lesson: resilience is always in style, and sometimes the most extraordinary heroes come wrapped in the tiniest packages.

Little Bit’s inspiring story is not just about smiles but real change. It’s because of her fiery spirit (and excellent taste in doggie apparel) that another remarkable dog, Drako, overcame incredible challenges—and now sports a rockin' haircut.

Little Bit isn't the only furry fighter whose story will inspire you. Discover how Drako, despite facing his own incredible challenges, is now teaching everyone what it truly means to thrive.

Through your generosity, Lew Dog Gives proudly directed support to this devoted rescue, where each animal’s life truly matters.

Learn more about Animal Rescue of the Rockies. A.R.R. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit Colorado corporation established in 2003, dedicated to providing foster and permanent homes for over 10,000 dogs and cats, and collaborating with rescue groups across the region to save lives.