Unusual ‘Chupacabra’ Dog Found in the Woods Now Surrounded by Love
Meet Nina, a stray dog found in the woods of Puerto Rico. Nina was adopted by a couple, Emily and Shawn, who saw photos of her and knew they wanted to give her a home. Experienced in animal rescue, they understood it might take Nina a few days to adjust to her new life in New York. That’s exactly what happened when she arrived at the airport stressed and afraid. But just a few days later, they woke up to find her smiling at the end of the bed.
Despite Nina’s unusual appearance, she is perfectly healthy. She did need entropion surgery and requires daily eye drops because her eyelids don’t close properly, but otherwise she’s just like any other dog.
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When Emily and Shawn first took Nina to the vet, the staff wondered what kind of dog she might be and Emily and Shawn joked that she was a “chupacabra,” the mythical creature from Mexican folklore.
Others guessed she might be a Xoloitzcuintle, but a DNA test revealed Nina to be a mix of breeds, including Doberman Pinscher. She is currently undergoing additional testing at the Cornell Veterinary Hospital due to some congenital chromosomal defects, but she continues to thrive.
Nina also gets along wonderfully with Emily and Shawn’s other dogs, who treat her like a baby. It seems the entire pack is protective of her—and she’s clearly found the loving family she deserves.