July 24, 2012

Who knew that a single phone call, this past Friday afternoon would be the beginning of a pit bull rescue weekend?! I received a phone call from a friend about a pit bull puppy in need of a home. The owner was moving and couldn't have dogs at the new location. All it took was one photo of this beautiful baby boy to know that I had to take action. My husband and I drove to Starkville, later that afternoon, to pick up this white-faced, brown-spotted beauty, and to foster him for a few days (can't take any-more - he would become a perma-nent fixture). Before we even picked him up, Heather McInytre had agreed to foster him and we would find him a permanent, loving home. 

We brought him home, and our dogs, Lexi, Toby & Sadie wanted so badly to play with him, but he was just too small. Porkchop - that was another story. After he got over his fear of the new pup, he made it very clear that a new addition to the family was not only not welcome, but was to get no love, attention, or food, if he had anything to say about it. As I was posting a photo of the male pup on Facebook, it oc-curred to me that another pit bull-loving family may be interested in adopting the pup. Once again, all it took was one photo! Ironically, they drove from Starkville (where we had been, earlier that day, to pick him up) and a new home for the beautiful boy was found. Thank you, Stacy & Blake - and Dozer, for being so pit-friendly and able to help! 

On Saturday, as some Real Story folks were going to enjoy a day on the river with me, another pit bull was spotted. This time it was a mama dog, and it was clear that she had recently weaned some puppies. Molly Murphree, a photographer and writer for The Real Story, was the first to spot the poor girl. She immediately pulled over, and called me and Heath-er, and sent a photo to us. I had a Subway sandwich that I hadn't eaten, from the night before, so I grabbed it and a bowl, so that we could at least give her some food and water. Cindy Lynch, The Real Story advertis-ing sales executive, and her signifi-cant other, Rusty Mitchell, were next on the scene. The three attempted to approach the mama dog, but she seemed to be very protective of some-thing. Rusty finally noticed she was protecting her puppy that, unfortunately, had succumbed to the heat and lack of food and water. 

I finally arrived with the sandwich and approached the poor dog. She was a little leery, of course, and gave me a warning growl, but she is a pit bull. I was not afraid, and she was not afraid of me. I finally fed her the sandwich - even let her lick the sauce off of my fingers - that's how sweet and trusting she was. I covered the poor pup up, so at least she wouldn't have to see it, even though she knew it was there. I finally coaxed her out of the woods and picked her up; to sit down with her while Molly and Heather tried to figure out how to get her to Heather's. We made the deci-sion that Molly, Cindy and I would load up this beautiful, sweet, aban-doned girl and take her to Heather in Caledonia. Cindy bought her a bright, new pink collar, and spoiled her with beef jerky sticks. She rode like a champ, and when we arrived at Heather's, we put her in her new, temporary home - a considerably shaded pen, with pine shavings on the floor and plenty of food and water. Cindy and I had purchased bags of dog food to help Heather in her rescue efforts - who knew it would come in so handy, so quickly, and for a pit bull! Again - thank you, Heather, for all you do. Not only do the animals, but Cindy, Molly, and I appreciate you more than you know. 

I'm writing this at 7pm on Saturday night. I wonder what Sunday will bring? Whatever it is, I know three people who will be right there with me! 

UPDATE:
Our weekend pit bull rescue was extended to Monday. Debbie, from Liberty, AL called me about a pit bull and her puppies. She had been following the Pit Bull Corner and other pit bull stories in The Real Story and was hoping we could help her find good homes. The mama dog appeared at her home about seven weeks ago, severely malnourished, and pregnant. Debbie, a dog lover, couldn't turn her back on this mama dog in need, so she began to feed and care for her. A few days later, eight beautiful pit bull puppies were born. Fast forward six weeks, and now that the pups are weaned, and mama dog has gained some weight back, foster or forever homes are needed. Three of the eight puppies had already found loving homes, and after a few hours of phone calls, texts, and Facebook messaging, I, along with Heather McIntyre, found homes for all but two puppies and the mama dog. The remaining two puppies are both females - one brown; the other white with black spots. The mama dog is black brindle with a half-white face, and is super friendly. 

• The Real Story • July 24, 2012 •