She Thought She Was Adopting a Chihuahua but Her Dog Grew to 95 Pounds: “He Started Gaining Over 4 Pounds a Week”
When Madison Austin decided to adopt a dog for the first time, she had a very clear picture of what she was getting into. It was April 2020, right at the start of the pandemic, and she was living in a New York City apartment with her husband. They were specifically searching for a small dog that would suit their lifestyle and fit comfortably in their space. That search led them to a shelter listing for a male Chihuahua puppy weighing just about four and a half pounds, and it seemed like the perfect match.
The moment Henry arrived at their apartment, something felt a little off. His paws were noticeably large for such a tiny frame, but the couple tried not to read too much into it. They figured he might be a mixed breed and even debated whether his floppy ears would eventually stand upright the way a proper Chihuahua’s should. For a few weeks, they held on to the idea that he was at least partly the dog he was advertised to be.
Then the growing started, and it did not stop. Henry began putting on weight at a staggering rate, first gaining around two to three pounds a week and then surpassing four pounds a week as the weeks rolled by. Their veterinarian broke the news after about two months, telling Austin and her husband that their supposed Chihuahua was absolutely nothing of the sort. The verdict came as a surprise, but by that point it was already fairly obvious something much bigger was going on.
The couple had already made purchases based on the assumption that Henry would stay small. They invested in a pricey electronic potty pad designed for tiny dogs, which turned out to be a complete waste of money once his size made it impractical. Their monthly food budget also climbed far beyond anything they had originally planned. Looking back, Austin admits it was a crash course in expecting the unexpected when it comes to adopting a shelter dog.
As time went on, Austin and her husband moved into a larger home and eventually welcomed two daughters into the family. Henry fit right into this bigger life with the enthusiasm of a dog who had always known he belonged somewhere roomy and full of people. It eventually became undeniable that the pup listed as a petite Chihuahua was actually a full-blooded Labrador Retriever. Henry now tips the scales at around 95 pounds, which is quite the leap from the four-and-a-half-pound puppy in that original shelter photo.
Despite the wild twist the whole adoption story took, Austin would not trade Henry for anything in the world. She describes him as endlessly fun, warm-hearted, and genuinely one of the best things that ever happened to her family. Henry spends his days enjoying treats, going out on hikes, soaking up plenty of cuddles, and playing with his two little sisters. Austin shares his adventures regularly on her Instagram account, and his story has resonated with a huge number of people who follow along.
For Austin, Henry’s journey is also a reminder of something meaningful about giving shelter dogs a chance. You may not always know exactly what you are getting, but that unpredictability can lead to something far greater than what you originally planned. She believes Henry was always meant to find his way to her family, and it is hard to argue with the joy he has clearly brought into their lives. Sometimes life sends you a 95-pound Labrador when you thought you ordered a Chihuahua, and it turns out to be the best surprise you never knew you needed.
If you have ever adopted a pet that turned out to be completely different from what you expected, share your story in the comments!
