Joseph took Mister on a walk yesterday morning. When he returned, he came in the front door and called out, "Mom, a strange dog followed me home!" I yelled for Ben to go check out the situation. The poor dog was starving (so skinny, his ribs were sticking out), dirty, and looked as if he had either been in a fight, or hit by a car (deep cuts on his chest/front legs). He had a collar, but no tags. We took him in the backyard and fed him (he's had 3 HUGE bowls of food since yesterday morning-- about what Mister eats in a whole week). We called animal control to report a found dog, and I took a couple of pictures and posted them on Craigslist (did you know there is a lost and found section on that site?). Later in the afternoon, I did some research and we discovered he is most likely a pit bull. :-(
Not only are we NOT looking for another dog, we are most definitely NOT looking for a pit bull. Ben and I both don't understand why people continue to breed that particular dog. They are responsible for like 70% of all dog-related fatalities. It's not necessarily that they are more aggressive than other dogs, but their jaws are very powerful and their instinct is to bite and never let go. They were originally bred to fight bulls!!! If you pester another dog enough, they might growl and snap at you, but if you pester a pit bull and he snaps at you, you could be severely maimed. It's not their fault, it's just how they were bred. A pit bull can have a very nice temperament (and apparently they usually are loyal and affectionate), but one bad moment (as all dogs have), and you could have big trouble.
I emailed 8 different rescue organizations in this area, but all of them replied and said there is no space. So Ben called animal control and someone will come pick him up sometime tomorrow.
It is very sad. He is actually a very, very friendly dog. If he weren't a pit bull, he would probably be quite adoptable. Poor thing had the bad luck to be born a pit bull. He will undoubtedly be euthanized after 72 hours in the shelter. Who wants to adopt an abandoned pit bull?
At least we're giving him a couple of days of plenty of food, a warm place to sleep, and some affection and attention.
So sad, though.
Update: Two women officers came and got him. It was so sad, he was really, really excited to see them. He ran up to them with his tail wagging like crazy. They slipped a leash over his head and he jumped up on one of them, licking her, his tail going like a helicopter rotor. They told me they'd scan him for a chip. I hope he has one. The boys were pretty sad to see him go. Poor thing.
10 comments:
I am not an extreme animal lover, as everyone knows, but this story breaks my heart too. People will be accountable for the kind of "dominion" we had over this earth. But, Gabrielle, you did a good thing in taking the dog in and loving and caring for it, and in NOT keeping it. It is not worth the risk. I love you!
I really really really hope he has a chip. I don't want him to be put down.
Sorry this comment belongs to the entry below but I LOVE your hair - you have the perfect face for it - and that blue really is your color
(oh and that IS a sad story about the dog. Its hard suddenly having the responsiblity for another living creature thrust upon you but you handled it well - some people would just have turned the dog out immediatly)
you are so nice to all living creatures! and your new picture is beautiful! great hair, great face and great picture!
GAbby,
There is a tv show called Animal Cops. They rescue abandoned and abused dogs and nurse them back to health and then put them up for adoption. That would have been a great option for that sweet dog.
From,
CAssie
They also are right around where you live
I have a "pit Bull", or American staffordshire terrier. They are a breed of a bull dog and a Terrier, Also a "sister" to the America Bull dog.
They are some of the most affectionate lovable dogs around. They are very protective of there owners, that's what makes them "mean". they are just being protective. If they are bread to be mean, then of course they will be; but so are full grown poodles. You just dont hear about them in the news... You also dont hear about the situation that provoked the dog in the first place; only that it was a "pit bull".
The jaw thing is true, but most dont have the strength in their jaws unless they have been trained to fight. They have the dog from a young age hang by there mouth, like tug-a-war, from trees.
because they are so loyal sometimes they are hard to "re-home"; For that reason, it might have been a good reason to not keep him.
**im no dog expert, but by his markings and the shape of his forehead and eyes, he may be partial great dane; not full of course, but you are correct his snout looks wide like a pit bull. (Not that it matters any more since he is gone...)but I am wondering if he was partial great dane because he is lacking the "triangles" on his cheek bones that is a signature pit bull trade marks... just a thought
I know it doesnt matter really, but i love dogs too much to not care...
I looked up some American bull dogs, He does look just like them. I would put my money on that, or something partial great dane depending on his weight.
Its too bad I couldn't have come to get him, but heavens knows, i dont need another dog!
Im glad you took him in and helped rehabilitate him!
Cassie, yes that is the SPCA. I called them as well, but they had no room either.
Meredith, I totally believe that pit bulls can be great pets. But with him being a stray, I have no way of knowing what his background is, if he was well-trained, if he was treated nicely, etc., etc. You know? And, like you, we don't need another pet!!
I felt terrible and hope very much that his owner found him or that someone adopted him...
Gabby, sorry I didn't meant to go on a rant there... I just feel so badly for lost animals....
Ive gotten way more sappy about it since I got mine....
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