ABOUT
MISSION
We celebrate the unbreakable bonds between pups and their people while also raising awareness + some much-needed funds for animal welfare & rescue groups.
"Twelve years + eight months, his age. For ten years, he brought joy and love. He ferociously battled a failing heart for nearly 18 months. At 9:23AM on November 7th, I said goodbye to the love of my life. Even in his final moments, he resisted giving up and fought for every breath in his miniature five pound body. He was and for eternity will be Tiny But Mighty. I didn't have the opportunity to mumble these last words to him but I believe with all of my heart and soul that he already knew: On that fateful day when we met at the animal shelter a decade ago, you rescued me. I now believe in love, have compassion, and am the individual that I am today because of you. Your final lesson to me is that life is truly too short. I must make every day count until it's my time to depart and we are reunited again. I love you buddy."
YES, the love of my life was a scrappy rescued chihuahua named Chico.
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." -Anatole France
We believe this statement wholeheartedly which is why the Tiny But Mighty Fund was founded. Tiny But Mighty Fund not only honors Chico's spirit, but to also celebrate the unbreakable bonds between pups and their people while also raising some much-needed funds to connect more of our furry friends with families.
I selected the name "Tiny But Mighty" for the fund because this was a phrase that I frequently used to describe Chico's larger than life personality especially during his valiant battle with congestive heart failure. This phrase also motivates me when I choose to challenge myself or during phases of my own personal struggles through the years. Universally "Tiny But Mighty" reflects how even the tiniest acts of kindness or action can certainly make a mighty big difference.
- Marcia Masulla, Tiny But Mighty Fund Founder
ABOUT
OUR TEAM
Meet Marcia, Bellini, Clementine & Reggie
Bio by Bella, Assisted by Marcia Masulla
My mom was on the road touring for a grassroots campaign when she was working for a Internationally recognized animal rights and welfare organization at the time. Her and her tourmate Amanda were in Corpus Christi, Texas and found me and another pup (who they named Bella) walking around a rough neighborhood with zip ties around our necks. They tried to call for help but were advised that we would both be immediately put down due to an overpopulation crisis. So after failing to find a local rescue or shelter to take us in, they drove us to safety to Houston and were able to talk a rescue Scout's Honor to take us in although they didn't have room for us. We also found out that I was pregnant. My mom donated to them and told them to call her after I had my puppies and if nobody had committed to adopting me by then, she would drive back from Nashville to come get me. 5 weeks and a 13 hour road-trip later, we were reunited again. My puppies were one by one slowly getting adopted but I wagged my tail immediately when I saw her walk in to my foster home. We've been together ever since and my little sister Clementine joined us in June of 2014. She was dumped in a backyard in Mufreesboro but a TBM supporter reached out to my mom and connected them. Unfortunately, Clemmy passed away unexpectedly in 2021, but we know that she is keeping Chico company on the other side. In July of 2021, we adopted my little brother, Reggie, from Nashville Humane Association. He had a rocky start to his life but he sure lucked out when NHA rescued him and my mom fell in love with him.”
Meet Ragnar and Katrina
BIO by Ragnar, assisted by Katrina Hartwig
I found my mom just in time, when I was only 6 weeks old, because even when I was just a puppy I was the smartest puppy EVER. The man I used to live with took me to a park at midnight and told me to find a new home, which I did!
I guess I wasn’t supposed in a park when I was that young though, because I got really, really sick from this thing called Parvo two days after my mom took me home. Just when I was getting used to the good life and lots of snuggling, I had to leave and stay in a scary cage in a scary hospital with lots of things stuck to me. I thought that maybe my new mom didn’t want me because I threw up all over her shoes. But, a few days later, I felt all better and my mom was there waiting for me!
My mom and I do everything together. We go on walks, visit all of our friends, snuggle on the couch…and she even take me with her to Batter’s Box and Lucky’s 3 Star for pizza!
Sometimes I get a little overexcited and accidentally chew socks or a blanket, but I try to be a very good boy, because I don’t ever want to end up back in that park (unless I’m chasing a ball!). I hope that I can help raise some money for other puppies, so they can end up with good moms and dads, too, and then I also hope that those dogs come and play with me!