Injured pink Chihuahua thrives at home in South Lake Tahoe

You may remember the news back on January 13, 2014, when a Chihuahua puppy was found in the Bay Area with her fur dyed pink and a fractured leg. A good Samaritan had picked the puppy off the street and took her into the Peninsula Humane Society (PHS) and SPCA in San Mateo, CA.

Their staff got the two-month old puppy into surgery for a hairline fracture to her right rear tibia and started her on pain medication. As she was resting at the facility the staff named her "Candy" because of her unique coloring.

After the story of Candy became public there was outpouring of support for the puppy and over 100 people called to adopt her.

Enter South Lake Tahoe local Jakki Svetlik, owner of Pier Sun Tanning in the Ski Run Center. Already the proud owner of four other rescue dogs, three Chihuahuas and one Jack Russell Terrier, Jakki called PHS to inquire about taking care of Candy until her owner was found. "I love to foster and adopt dogs," she said. "I really thought the owners would come forward."

Since no owner appeared, the Humane Society had to find a new home for Candy and the 30 other Chihuahuas they had. After going through all of the inquires, the Svetliks were chosen to pick up the pink puppy.

Jakki and her husband Ron left South Lake Tahoe one morning at 4 a.m. to get Candy. "When Morgan (of PHS) walked into the room it was like seeing your newborn baby," said Jakki. "I knew it was meant to be."

"She is the best thing that ever happened to us next to the other 4 we have," said Jakki. Her other dogs fell in love with Pinkki, almost like they knew she needed extra love.

"Candy was a cute name but she needed a personalized name," said Jakki. "I just knew she was a 'Pinkki'."

Pinkki has her own facebook page, though Jackki says she needs to update it more often. It can be seen at Saving Pinkki T.

Once old enough, the "awful dye job" was taken care of by Linda Marley, the groomer at Tahoe Tails and Trails in South Lake Tahoe.

Pinkki made a visit to see Linda today, 17 months after the first visit. As seen in the pictures, the pink and pain is all gone, and what remains is a happy and healthy four legged friend.