Acorn Muffin’s story began in heartbreaking circumstances. He was rescued from a hoarding case by Carolina Animal Rescue and Adoption (CARA), along with over half a dozen other Chihuahua mixes. Among them, Acorn Muffin was in the worst condition—frail, elderly, and clearly in need of urgent medical care. Before photos were taken or ages estimated, All Animal Sanctuary and Rescue (AASR) was contacted to ask if they could medically foster “a little old Chi from a terrible situation.” They of course said yes.
It soon became clear that Acorn—now lovingly called Acorn Muffin, or just Mimi—was not only a senior, but a deeply special soul with significant health challenges. They knew he wouldn’t thrive in a typical rescue setting or even long-term foster care. That’s when they officially adopted him from CARA, making him a forever sanctuary resident at AASR.
Acorn then underwent further evaluations where X-rays revealed what appeared to be a lung tumor. Devastated, AASR shifted him to hospice care, preparing for the worst while giving little Acorn Muffin all the love in the world. But as the months passed, something didn’t add up—he wasn’t declining. His biggest struggle seemed to be with nutrition, likely due to a rapidly worsening dental condition, even after a prior dental procedure.
That’s when he was taken to Harmony Animal Rescue Clinic (HARC). Feeling that something wasn’t quite right, AASR requested new imaging. The updated X-rays still showed the same shadow, but the HARC team got curious and referred him to CVCA for an echocardiogram. What was discovered was astonishing: Acorn didn’t have a tumor—his heart and liver were simply fused together, creating the illusion of a mass.
With this incredible news, Acorn was cleared for a much-needed and complex dental surgery. Dr. Archambeault bravely took on the challenge, giving this sweet senior a chance to live without constant pain for the first time in years.
Today, Acorn Muffin is thriving. It’s like he’s aged in reverse—he walks stronger, eats better, no longer urinates on himself, and shows improved mental clarity and happiness. He has gained not just comfort, but years of life and love thanks to HARC, CVCA, and the unwavering support of the AASR community.
