Vibria’s 2nd Birthday: From Roswell Rescue Puppy to Pupzilla

Two years ago, a tiny puppy found on Calhoun Street in Roswell, New Mexico, became part of our family. Today, that tiny rescue puppy is Vibria, a 40-pound, intelligent, loving, stubborn, protective, den-digging, sensor-stealing dog we affectionately call Pupzilla. 🐉❤️
Her story began with an unexpected notification, a strange sense of timing, and a trip to Roswell that we never expected to make.

How Vibria Came Into Our Family

Two years ago today, I was looking through a Facebook memory of Litha, another puppy we had picked up on this same day years earlier.

Litha eventually passed away from cancer, so looking through those old photographs brought back a lot of memories.

Then something strange happened.
I received a notification from a group I had never noticed before. In fact, I haven’t seen another notification from that group since.

Then something strange happened.

I received a notification from a group I had never noticed before. In fact, I haven’t seen another notification from that group since.

The post was about three puppies found on Calhoun Street in Roswell.

We had recently lost another dog because of horrible backyard breeding genetics, and we weren’t really looking for another puppy.

We had recently lost another dog because of horrible backyard breeding genetics, and we weren’t really looking for another puppy.

But I showed Brent the picture.

And we went to get her.

Sometimes the right dog seems to find you rather than the other way around. ❤️🐾

Why We Named Her Vibria

During the drive to Roswell, we started thinking about names.

Our other dog, Dreugan, has a dragon-inspired name, so we wanted something that would fit the same theme.

That’s when we found Vibria, meaning female dragon.

Looking back, the name couldn’t have been more appropriate.

Vibria may be incredibly friendly, but she has definitely established herself as the top dog around here. 👑🐉

Vibria Was Much Younger Than We Thought

When we first brought Vibria home, she was incredibly tiny.

At her first veterinary visit, the initial estimate was that she was approximately 7–8 weeks old.

At her second visit, the veterinarian took another look and determined that estimate didn’t make sense. She believed Vibria may have been only around 4 weeks old when we brought her home.

That also made her early growth even more surprising.

How Big Was Vibria Supposed to Get?

Originally, we were told Vibria might grow to approximately 15 pounds.

That estimate didn’t last long.

The later estimate was around 30–40 pounds.

And that’s pretty much exactly where our little Pupzilla ended up. 😂🐕

From a tiny puppy who could fit into your expectations of a small dog to a 30–40-pound female dragon, Vibria certainly had other plans.

What Breed Is Vibria?

This is one mystery we’d love to solve someday.

We suspect Vibria is some kind of heeler mix, but her veterinarian believes she may also have Carolina Dog somewhere in her ancestry.

Because of the dogs found and living in the desert Southwest, we’ve even wondered whether she could have some unusual desert-dog genetics in her background.

Could she have come from a litter of dogs living in or around the desert?

We honestly don’t know.

And that’s part of the fun.

Will We Get Vibria’s DNA Tested?

We’d love to have Vibria’s DNA tested someday simply because we’re curious.

It doesn’t really matter what breed she is.

She’s already Vibria.

But it would certainly be interesting to discover whether our guesses about a heeler mix, Carolina Dog, or other mixed-breed genetics are anywhere close to being correct.

Vibria’s Personality: Intelligent, Loving and Protective

Vibria is an incredibly intelligent dog.

She absolutely loves her humans, and when we’re around, she is usually happy to give attention to anyone who wants to give her some.

But there’s a different side of Vibria when we’re not around.

Friendly Dog With a Protective Side

As long as her humans are nearby, Vibria can be everyone’s best friend.

If we’re not around?

Strangers need not apply. 😂

She’s affectionate and friendly with people she trusts, but she also has a protective side that makes it clear she knows exactly who belongs in her world.

Vibria the Professional Den Builder

If there’s one thing Vibria takes seriously, it’s digging.

She loves creating dens and has spent plenty of time working on hers.

But eventually, her den needed security.

We had a sensor that stopped working properly.

So Vibria decided to solve the problem herself.

She stole it…

And put it in her den. 😂

Apparently, if you’re going to have a private dragon lair, you need security equipment.

🐉🏠 Pupzilla’s rules.

From Tiny Rescue Puppy to Pupzilla

Two years ago, Vibria was a tiny puppy found in Roswell.

Today, she’s an intelligent, goofy, loving, stubborn, protective, den-digging, sensor-stealing member of our family.

We named her after a female dragon.

And she has spent the last two years proving that she was worthy of the name. 🐉👑

Whatever her DNA says, whatever breeds are hiding in her ancestry, and whatever she was before she came to us doesn’t change the most important part of her story.

She found her way to us.

And we couldn’t imagine our family without her.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Vibria!

🎂🐾 HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY, LITTLE GIRL! 🐾🎂

Happy Birthday, Vibria!

May your day be filled with digging holes, stealing things you’re not supposed to have, protecting your humans, and ruling your kingdom like the female dragon you were named to be. 😂🐉👑

We love you, Pupzilla. ❤️

What Do You Think Vibria Is Mixed With?

We’re curious!

Do you think Vibria looks like a heeler mix, Carolina Dog mix, desert dog, or something completely different?

Leave your breed guess in the comments and tell us what you see in our little Pupzilla. 🐾👇