Rosie’s Legacy: The Heart Behind Rosie Fund
In 2013, a brindle pit bull mix was found abandoned in a backyard weighing only 40 pounds, almost 20 pounds below her healthy weight. She was a 6-year-old, heartworm positive, poorly socialized pit bull mix. She was great with people but aggressive with most dogs. Unfortunately, at the KC Pet Project shelter she was surrounded by other shelter dogs and visitors only saw her anti-social side. But the volunteers grew to love the sweet dog that they took on walks.
From Foster to Forever: Rosie’s New Life
With all the strikes against her, the dog now dubbed Rosalita languished in a kennel for 8 months until Philip and Dawn Hatterman fostered her so she could get her heartworm treatment. Rosie (she never answered to Rosalita) used that time to build a home in their hearts.
Philip and Dawn adopted Rosie and gave her the official name of Rosalita Patience Hatterman. They lavished her with all the love she could possibly stand and she returned that love a thousand-fold. A 6-week medical foster became a forever home for 88 weeks, the last of which was spent at BluePearl Pet Hospital where Rosie received the finest of treatment but could not overcome kidney failure. She went into cardiac arrest in the early hours of November 3, 2015 with Dawn and Philip by her side as the drugs were administered to ease her pain and help her transition.
A Lasting Impact and an Inspired Mission
When Philip and Dawn returned to the hospital the next day to settle the bill, they were told, "Rosie had many friends. Her bill has been paid." To this day, they don’t know who the anonymous donors were. Inspired by this kindness and Rosie's impact on their lives, the Hattermans pledged to help other "unadoptable" dogs like Rosie find their forever families.
The Work of Rosie Fund
The mission of Rosie Fund is to provide humans with the resources and education they need to give senior and harder-to-adopt dogs a better life. They identify dogs who are older or have other challenges that make them a harder-to-adopt dog. They get to know these dogs — working with them to film, photograph and create promotional content to shine a spotlight on often overlooked but lovable dogs. Some dogs also benefit from sponsored adoption fees or by receiving a $100 Rosie Life Starter Kit, which includes a collar, leash, ID tag, food, treats, toy, and an additional gift card to purchase other dog necessities.
Celebrating 10 Years of Making a Difference
Rosie Fund is entering their 10th year as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit. In that time, 100% of the $25,345 in donations have purchased Rosie Life Starter Kits, covered adoption fees and medical fees for 260 dogs. They’ve filmed and promoted over 475 dogs. You can join Rosie Fund’s mission by following them on Facebook and Instagram, subscribing to @RosieFund on YouTube, and listening to their podcast, Dog Words.
4Knines Monthly Spotlight
4Knines is proud to support nonprofits like Rosie Fund through our Monthly Spotlight program. Each month, we feature a deserving organization working to make life better for pets and their people, contributing both product donations and a monetary gift to help advance their mission.
If Rosie’s story touched your heart, consider making a donation or sponsoring a Rosie Life Starter Kit to help another deserving dog find a forever home.
