What About ME?

Last week, Athena's sister Sophie went to a great home.

I never would have expected Sophie to go first, because she's so laid back, primarily black, and she was larger than Athena. She just isn't an in-your-face, hey-you-gotta-adopt-ME dog like Athena is. Oh, yeah. And there's that Pit Bull thing, too. Is she gorgeous, wrinkly, beefy, and snuggly? Oh, YEAH! Just ask her new human child. :)

But Athena just garnered more interest during adoption hours and at off-site adoption events. It was heart-wrenching actually. Everyone held Athena while I held Sophie so she didn't feel slighted. Plus, Athena has this cashmere-colored coat that draws you immediately to her. And then there's that personality. She's just THE dog people would go gaga over. So, I just assumed Sophie would be the dog that grew up at the shelter.

Then WHY is Athena still at the shelter??? There has been interest, we've had applications, but nothing good or serious. (Of course, I'd like to clone Sophie's family, but that's just not possible!)

So tell me, why is this little cutie still waiting for a home?

Sophie Finds A Home

Remember Sophie and Athena?

These little ladies started their lives in a local animal control facility. Luckily our shelter was able to pull them, and one of the staff members has been more than willing to foster them the past several weeks.

Let's face it, Pit Bull puppies are the cutest in the world. Paws down. They have the wrinkliest faces, the biggest paws, and the beefiest legs. They're just plain cute.

But Sophie was getting short shrift. It seemed that everyone was drawn to Athena. I don't know if it's her gorgeous cashmere coloring, but people were generally ignoring Sophie. I was starting to think this poor puppy had two strikes against her: She's a Pit Bull and a black dog (although she has the cutest white chin and bib). Could people really not see her beauty - that wrinkled forehead, those beefy legs, those beautiful eyes? And, although they're both great puppies, and Sophie is the bigger of the two, she's happens to be the more gentle of the two.

Yesterday, actually after adoption hours were over, a family came in looking for a dog.

For a change, this family was not averse to Pit Bulls. But they did want a puppy. Well, I just happened to have TWO Pit Bull puppies to show them! We went over to Sophie and Athena, and I figured this would be another application for Athena. Was I ever wrong. Both mom and dad said "I like the black one," and the kid, bless his kid brain, said "I'll take both of them"!

This was the most perfect family I've ever met. By Perfect, I mean, I would like to adopt all of our dogs to them, NOW. I love them. I love their son. He's five years old, a gentleman, and a gentle person. He was so gentle with Sophie, I wanted to hug him until he cried "uncle!". (I know this might sound strange, but I meet a lot of families with children, and most of the children are hellions.)

For her part, Sophie absolutely loved this kid. She would not stop licking him. They cuddled and played for at least an hour, until Sophie fell asleep in his arms.

When they were ready to leave, dad said "what do we do" and son said "we pick up our toys," and he proceeded to pick up all the dogs toys strewn around the room, even the ones he didn't take out. (I asked if he could vacuum and cook, but apparently he's still in learning mode. I told them I'm willing to wait.)

Sophie went home today to The Most Perfect Family. I'm so happy for her. I wish every dog could be this lucky. The best part is that she will be living around the corner from one of the shelter staff (who also helped foster Sophie and Athena) AND she's been invited to visit whenever she'd like. Have I mentioned that I love this family?!

Eight Weeks and Four Stories

That would be eight weeks old and a four story fall. Well, a fall is usually a trip and fall, a mistake, something that happens when your feet get in the way. This little girl, just eight weeks old, was actually thrown.

So that would be eight weeks old and a four story fall because she was thrown out of a fourth story window. Thankfully, she landed in a tree, and some kind young ladies who were hailing a cab saw all of this happen.

They rescued the poor, tiny pup, who amazingly was unhurt, and contacted Smilin' Pitbull Rescue, the incredible rescue organization that focuses solely on Pit Bulls. I had the pleasure of meeting Skylar at PAWS's 2nd Annual Bark in the Park event yesterday where we had SPBR as our guests again this year. She's sweet as sugar and cuddles like a pro!

I hope the woman who tossed her from the window experiences the same horror this poor little pup must have felt that day. Sometimes the punishment should equal the crime.