Many of you will recall a wee guttersnipe named Roma who was born with a cleft palate and friskily fought her way all the way to robust. We would like to introduce another of her ilk. This is Clifford. As a newborn Clifford was taken to the vet to be euthanized (SOP for this kind of birth defect.) Lucky for Clifford, the vet tech on duty was an FBRN volunteer. She asked for and received permission from Clifford's owner to take him home and take him on, and just like that Clifford was surrendered to FBRN. The fearless vet tech went into overdrive, administering tube feedings every two hours around the clock in an effort to give Clifford the size and strength needed to withstand surgery. Armed with Roma's legacy and a stalwart will to live, Clifford is chugging along. He has a hard and soft palate cleft with a small area of his upper lip involved, giving him a cockeyed little grin. At

2.6 hard-won and feisty pounds, we believe Clifford is "over the hump." He recently transferred to a new foster home where he awaits his evaluation date with the very same doctor who performed Roma's successful surgery.

In these days of common struggle, we are truly inspired by the herculean efforts of Clifford's vet tech angel. She dug deep day after day to breathe life into this faint whisper of a newborn pup. And as for Clifford? Well, we believe that he will be known someday as "the little Frenchie that could."

Get on board Clifford's tiny train by clicking on his picture and becoming his sponsor. He has an uphill battle ahead but Clifford says "I think I can, I think I can..." We think he can, too.