🐾 Meet Dottie (aka Little Lottie Dottie): The Spotty Sweetie With a Beautiful Heart

Dottie is believed to be a Labrador Retriever / Catahoula Leopard Dog mix, and she is an absolute showstopper. This black and grey merle beauty is covered in the most gorgeous spots — the kind that make you stop mid-sentence and say, “Okay… WOW.” Her silky-soft leopard coat has both short and slightly longer layers, and her shiny brown eyes perfectly match her warm, light-brown base coloring.

Born around 11/3/2025, Dottie and her littermates were heartbreakingly left behind under a rotting porch at just 4 weeks old when their family moved away. Despite that heartbreaking start, Dottie is bright, curious, and brimming with enthusiasm for life — ready to discover the world with her future family right by her side.

Like her siblings, Dottie is expected to be larger when grown and will require a fully fenced, secure yard where she can safely explore, investigate, and stretch her growing legs. These pups have already been introduced to early enrichment and puppy brain games, and Dottie will thrive with a responsible, loving, engaged family – committed to continuing her learning, confidence-building, and daily adventures.

(Breed note for adopters: Lab/Catahoula mixes are often intelligent, observant, and inquisitive dogs who enjoy learning, exploring, and being included in family life. Dottie is already showing those thoughtful, curious traits.)

💜 Important Medical Note: Megaesophagus (ME)

Dottie has been diagnosed with megaesophagus. This is not a severe case, and she does not require medication at this time.

Megaesophagus is a condition where the esophagus does not move food down to the stomach as efficiently as it should. Because of this, dogs with ME need to eat and drink upright, using gravity to help food reach their tummy and stay there.

What this means for Dottie:

• Her meals are prepared as a soft, blended “puppy slurpee” (kibble + wet food + water), which you’ll see demonstrated in the feeding video above.
• She eats in an upright position
• She remains upright for about 30 minutes after meals to reduce the risk of regurgitation

This protocol is imperative to Dottie’s continued health.

Dogs with megaesophagus can absolutely thrive with proper feeding protocols and consistency — and Dottie has adjusted beautifully. With these simple changes already in place, she is doing exceptionally well and continues to grow, play, and enjoy life like any other happy puppy.

We will provide education, guidance, and support to her future family to ensure they feel confident caring for her.

🚽 Potty Training Progress: Learning the Routine Step by Step

Dottie is making nice progress with potty training. She goes almost every time she’s taken outside and is starting to understand the routine. She uses a pee pad sometimes, especially when humans are away. 

🚀 Energy Level: Alert, Engaged, and Ready to Explore

Dottie is a playful, alert puppy who is very aware of her surroundings. She runs to greet people, loves exploring new things, and approaches the world with enthusiasm and curiosity. She enjoys movement, investigation, and being involved in whatever is happening around her.

🛋️ Affection Style: Short Snuggles, Happy Kisses

Dottie enjoys affection in sweet, puppy-sized doses. Scoop her up and she will happily offer a gazillion kisses while being snuggled. She especially enjoys having her head rubbed, soaking up attention before she’s ready to hop back into her next activity.

🎭 Personality & Quirks: Curious Mind, Creative Thinker

Dottie is persistent, attentive, and delightfully inventive. She notices things others might overlook and isn’t afraid to check them out — including places like the dishwasher, which she found absolutely fascinating.

One unforgettable moment? Dottie picked up her food bowl, carried it around, tossed it, flipped it upside down… and then turned it into a hockey puck, batting it around the room with total satisfaction. Her foster family jokes that this little Catahoula sometimes seems like she might have a bit of cat energy mixed in.

🧩 Play & Enrichment: Explorer With a Puzzle-Loving Brain

Dottie plays enthusiastically with her sisters and other friendly dogs she’s been around. She’s curious about what other dogs are doing and loves to engage them in games of chase and play while being respectful of their boundaries when subtle cues are given. (She speaks dog.)

She’s also doing great with enrichment. Dottie enjoys using lick mats with frozen nummies smeared in. These are safe for her, and she LOVES them!

💕 What She Tells You With Those Eyes

Dottie’s eyes are bright and thoughtful — full of curiosity and intelligence. When she looks at you, it feels like she’s inviting you along, asking you to join her in whatever she’s discovered next. She wants to play, learn, and share the world with her people. There’s something very special about the way she connects — like she’s already planning your next adventure together.

🏡 Ideal Home: Room to Explore, People to Love

Dottie would do best in a home that offers space to safely explore, a secure, fully fenced yard, and people who enjoy an engaged, curious puppy. She would do well with another friendly, playful, confident dog to pal around with, and she’ll thrive with a family who can be home with her during her puppy months to guide her, offer new experiences, and help her continue learning about the world.

An active household that plans to include her in daily life — and is comfortable with her simple feeding routine — will be her happy place.

🎓 Training & Progress: Learning With Guidance and Encouragement

Dottie has been working on:
• Pottying outside on a schedule
• Using pee pads when humans are away
• Appropriate play and chewing, with redirection when needed

She’s been provided with toys, puzzles, and gentle guidance — and she’s responding with enthusiasm and engagement.

💙 Dottie’s Heart in a Nutshell

Dottie is curious, clever, affectionate, and full of personality. She’s the puppy who explores first, notices everything, and then proudly invites you along. She greets people with joy, plays with focus, and winds down by stretching out like a little sphinx statue — preferably on a warm heater vent.

She eats a little differently — but lives fully.

If you’re looking for a puppy with brains, beauty, curiosity, and a whole lot of heart, Little Lottie Dottie is ready to make your life more fun — one spotted adventure at a time. 🐾💜