Nobby the puppy was born without front legs. The poor pup was only four hours old when the vet said it would probably be for the best to euthanize him.

Nubby’s owner, however, made a decisive decision.

Nobby had a rough start in life. He was born without front legs and had trouble getting to his mom to nurse. His mother accepted him, but Nubby’s siblings pushed him away so that he couldn’t eat.

On top of that, no matter how sad it was, the vet thought it would be best if Nobby were put down. At that point the little puppy was only four hours old.

But Lou Robinson, from Texas, who along with husband Mark has adopted and cared for homeless and unwanted dogs throughout her life, wanted something different.

They quickly decided to defy the vet’s suggestion and take care of Nobby themselves. Nobby followed Lou home. There, she and her husband watched over the dog around the clock. They gave him love, security and food through a bottle.

At first, it looked like Nobby was doing well.

“His eyes opened, his ears developed. You could hear him bark, he could smell and recognize voices,” Loui Robinson told The Dodo.

Then things started to change.