The dog's appearance was enough to make a person cry. He was starved and looked like a skeleton. Walking was hard for him, and he was riddled with scars. Nevertheless, the good folks at Adams County Pet Rescue in Ritzville, Wash., knew he deserved a chance and took him in and placed him in a foster home.
It didn't seem likely, however, that he would be adopted. He was in bad shape and, in addition, he was a Pit Bull Terrier, a much maligned breed. Nevertheless, his photo and description were placed on Petfinder. In addition to compassion, his rescuers and foster dad had an abundance of hope.
Carrie Hawley of Coeur d'Alene was mourning over the loss of her eight-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier, Bella, who had died of lymphoma. "I had a huge hole in my heart and could not stop the tears," she says. She and her partner started looking on Petfinder at all of the Pit Bulls that needed homes, knowing many would never be adopted.
"The media hype helped create a massive fear and hatred for a dog that
served in two world wars and was once called the 'Nanny Dog' because of
their love for children and devotion to family," she says.
Still she wasn't really ready to open herself to the grief she was feeling over Bella's death. Then "one evening something told me to look [on Petfinder] again," she says, and when she did, she and her partner found Sam (aka Sammy Blu).
She knew at once that the dog needed them as much as they needed him. "He was full of scars, and a healed-up old wound created terrible pain in his hip. He could barely walk on it." He had been a breeder and was also used as a bait dog in dog fights, she says.
Today, in his new home with Carrie, his ribs no longer show and his backbone is almost back to normal. Everyone had thought the starved dog was all white, but as he regains his health, his fur is growing back with tan markings.
"How could anyone not want him?" Carrie wonders. "He's the most precious Pit Bull ever to exist, with a huge heart for love and a sense of humor, and he loves to play and cuddle in our arms. Thanks to someone who saw the light in his beautiful eyes, he's my boy."
Previous Happy Tails:
An abandoned cat comes in from the cold
A puppy-mill Chihuahua learns to live outside a cage
Sacrificing to save an abused, overlooked pit bull
A sick, abandoned puppy's incredible before & after pics
Someone sees beauty under the scars
A 'wild' Chinese Crested puppy comes home
A dad with Alzheimer's gets a 'miracle dog'
The rock-star cat who looks like a polar bear
A senior Dalmatian loses weight, gains new life
Lovebirds go from hoarder to happy home
A former bait dog finds safety and love
A perfect match is worth waiting for
A deformed kitten gets a happy ending
The victim of a cruel prank finds happiness
A rescued Border Collie mends a broken heart
Still she wasn't really ready to open herself to the grief she was feeling over Bella's death. Then "one evening something told me to look [on Petfinder] again," she says, and when she did, she and her partner found Sam (aka Sammy Blu).
She knew at once that the dog needed them as much as they needed him. "He was full of scars, and a healed-up old wound created terrible pain in his hip. He could barely walk on it." He had been a breeder and was also used as a bait dog in dog fights, she says.
Today, in his new home with Carrie, his ribs no longer show and his backbone is almost back to normal. Everyone had thought the starved dog was all white, but as he regains his health, his fur is growing back with tan markings.
"How could anyone not want him?" Carrie wonders. "He's the most precious Pit Bull ever to exist, with a huge heart for love and a sense of humor, and he loves to play and cuddle in our arms. Thanks to someone who saw the light in his beautiful eyes, he's my boy."
Previous Happy Tails:
An abandoned cat comes in from the cold
A puppy-mill Chihuahua learns to live outside a cage
Sacrificing to save an abused, overlooked pit bull
A sick, abandoned puppy's incredible before & after pics
Someone sees beauty under the scars
A 'wild' Chinese Crested puppy comes home
A dad with Alzheimer's gets a 'miracle dog'
The rock-star cat who looks like a polar bear
A senior Dalmatian loses weight, gains new life
Lovebirds go from hoarder to happy home
A former bait dog finds safety and love
A perfect match is worth waiting for
A deformed kitten gets a happy ending
The victim of a cruel prank finds happiness
A rescued Border Collie mends a broken heart
I thank God every day for people like you. I run a pit bull sanctuary for this same purpose........to take in the pitties that need a second chance at life from the horrible mistakes humans have made. I have been bitten three times in my life (by a lab, a boston terrier and a poodle) and I have cared for pit bulls for 5 yrs and Ive never even been growled at. It all goes to show it's the owners that reflect how these dogs turn out. I hope you have many happy days with Sam. thepitstopsanctuary.com
Sharon, I agree. It's all about the owners, not the breed. I've seen Rotties and Pits that were gentle and adorable, and Labs that were neurotic and aggresive. In all cases, it was the owners that were the real problem, not the dogs. It's just too bad that the dogs have to suffer.
www.happyhealthypuppy.com
I have 2 Am Staffs and they are wonderful pets. Both are rescues and they show so much love. Thank God that not everyone is scared of this breed and is willing to take them in.
Thank God for folks like you. I have never believed in a "bad breed," only bad owners. I have seen two pits at our local shelter (brother and sister) who were so wonderfully affectionate that you couldn't help but love them. Luckily, someone adopted both of them so they continue to thrive together. Thanks for adopting this sweet dog. Best to you both!!