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Adopting a Pit Bull

Adoption Stories: A Tale of Two Pit Bulls

Jacque Lynn Schultz, C.P.D.T., Companion Animal Programs Adviser. National Outreach

Life With Ellie

In 1994, a Good Samaritan came upon a six-month-old black pit bull pup being severely beaten on the mean streets of Brooklyn, NY. Warned that if she didn't take the dog, it would be killed, the woman whisked the battered puppy away to a veterinary clinic where her daughter was employed. While the dog's broken bones were mending, the staff sought out a permanent home. Their efforts failed. So when the clinic was set to shut down for summer break, the homeless pit was turned into the ASPCA for placement.

The wiggly little charmer ingratiated herself to then-volunteer coordinator Mary Jo Sparkowski- "I couldn't stop thinking about her. I fell in love with this dog"- who adopted her. Newly christened as Ellie, the pup eagerly went through obedience classes, earned her Canine Good Citizen certificate and became a registered therapy dog. Over the past six years, Ellie has adjusted to many life changes: a major move, a new "dad" (Sparkowski's husband, Matt Duffy), three canine housemates and, just last year, a new human baby brother. Ellie has met each change with the same sunny disposition.

To Sparkowski, "Ellie is the dog of my dreams. She is the greatest dog I've ever known. All she wants to do is make us happy." Yet when asked if she would get another pit bull, Sparkowski remains undecided. It's not Ellie's energy level or strength or how carefully she has to be watched around strange dogs that gives Sparkowski pause. It's the behavior of the public around pit bulls. "Other people's perceptions are hard to live with. I take it personally," she says, adding, "I'll probably end up with another one, but for right now I'm just so tired of explaining to everyone about Ellie." And according to a recent ASPCA Pit Bull Adoption Survey, 38 percent of adopters have experienced breed-specific discrimination by landlords, insurance companies or people in the community, even though when compared to other adopted shelter dogs, pit bulls scored higher on friendliness to strangers and children.

Ellie is just one of many happy pit bull adoption stories, but as Sparkowski will attest, owning a pit bull can challenge even the most experienced dog owners. "It's a really hard thing to love these dogs," she says. "And it's a sad truth, because there are so many who need homes." - JLS

Fortunate Flower

In summer 1999, a pit bull came to the ASPCA through the efforts of Humane Law Enforcement (HLE). An HLE officer found the young female dog literally starving to death in a Manhattan apartment and brought her to Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital (BMAH), where she was dubbed "Flower" by Dr. Georgina Barone. Weighing an alarmingly low 18 pounds, Flower was so dehydrated that when she was offered both food and water, she went for the water bowl first. During her stay in the BMAH Intensive Care Unit, Flower responded positively to her medical and nutritional therapy, and before long, her weight increased to a robust 38 pounds.

The neglect and mistreatment that Flower suffered did not affect her good nature. "Flower's very attentive and eager to please," says Dr. Arnold Plotnick, vice president of BMAH, who fostered Flower in his office during her stay at the hospital. He adds that Flower enjoys meeting new people and socializing with other dogs, as well as with cats.

Flower's owner, who was subsequently arrested for animal cruelty, is currently serving a separate sentence for selling narcotics. During the year that Flower was recovering from her ordeal and winning the hearts of all who came to know her at BMAH, the ASPCA Legal Department was able to work out an arrangement with the New York County District Attorney's Office to allow the ASPCA to offer Flower for adoption. The entire organization's good wishes followed Flower as she embarked on her new life.

Next in Before You Adopt: Adopting a Pit Bull:
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