Niko

Niko is a tiny chihuahua mix with a heart full of courage and a spirit that never quits. He came to Avello in September 2024 along with his five littermates, all rescued from a heartbreaking neglect case. The puppies were severely malnourished, covered in fleas, and in desperate need of care. Among them, Niko was the smallest and most delicate—his little body struggled to gain weight, and his neuter surgery had to be postponed multiple times because he just couldn’t reach the safe minimum weight.

While his siblings steadily grew stronger and eventually found loving homes, Niko remained fragile. But what he lacked in size, he made up for in heart—and a special bond began to form between him, our team, and the rest of our resident pack. We decided to keep him, knowing he needed a little extra protection, and because he had clearly already found his people. Niko loved being around his furry family, especially Panda and Delilah, who quickly became his best pals.

In April 2025, something heartbreaking occurred.  In a moment of inexperience, the guest attempted to carry him and accidentally dropped him. The fall caused a serious injury: a break dangerously close to his joint. Due to the complications and Niko’s delicate condition, amputation became the only option to save his life.

Trusting our vet’s advice, we did what was best for Niko—and he showed us, once again, just how tough and resilient he truly is.

Today, Niko is fully recovered and absolutely thriving. He zips around the yard faster than most four-legged dogs, with all the joy and confidence in the world. As a result of the incident, we now have a strict policy: no one is allowed to carry Niko. His safety and comfort will always come first.

Niko is, and always will be, one of the heartbeats of our forever pack. Small in size, enormous in spirit.