I always wanted a Pit Bull because I know them to be a kind, loving, loyal and gentle breed.

Misunderstandings, often based on reputation alone, has forced them into a survival situation. When my 26-year marriage ended, my first thought was “I can finally get my pit bull.”

After four more years of research and questioning pit bull owners, I finally settled on a breeder. I contacted them, picked out my puppy and mailed in my deposit. I met my current husband right before my puppy was ready to be picked up. He was leery of my choice in breeds, but remained open minded. When I brought “Junior” home, the two formed an instant bond and became inseparable. Jr was playful, cuddly, and very loving, but had such a high play drive that wearing him out seemed impossible.

After eight months we decided it may be a good idea to get him a playmate. I contacted Shaw Pit Bull Rescue. I was greatly impressed by the application they handed me. Unlike others, it wasn’t limited to my financial and living situation; it also tested my knowledge of the breed! After submitting my application a lady named Dana contacted me for additional information, stating it was to help them know exactly what I was looking for in a dog. I sent her a video of Jr playing so she could see just how active he really was. I never picked a particular dog as it was not my choice to make; it was Jr's. I told her he should be able to choose his own companion. Male or female didn’t matter as he, as well as all the rescue dogs, are spayed/neutered.

What struck me about Shaw Pit Bull Rescue was that they didn’t think I was crazy for wanting Jr to be happy with his companion. An appointment was made to visit them. I found Shaw’s facility extremely clean and inviting and their staff and volunteers very friendly and welcoming. More importantly, all of the dogs were happy. Dana picked dogs she thought would be a good match for Jr.

The next step was to go on a walk to see how they interacted. He turned out to be too active for this group of dogs. We walked back to the rescue, talked more, and decided to try Carmen. Dana wasn’t sure Carmen would work out any better than the others, but something told her to try them together. It was an immediate magic bond. She has been with us ever since. Sweet and loving, we can't image our home without her.

Shaw Pit Bull Rescue shows high ethics and genuine concern for the dogs. They go above and beyond, supported entirely by donations and volunteers. They continually educate themselves and others on the Pit Bull breed and will not place a dog that does not fit the home. A grant from you would mean they can continue their good work rescuing dogs in desperate need.

Newly single and alone at the lake house, I was referred to Shaw PBR by a friend who had gotten
Carmen as a companion for her male baby. I called and talked to Dana about what I was looking
for in my new friend and scheduled an appointment to visit the rescue.

I arrived, not knowing what
to expect and was greeted and shown into the play area. I requested to see one of the females
that was listed on their website. She came out and pranced around like the queen of the kennel and was not interested in me in the least. I requested to meet another female and she only played with me since I had toys and treats. I was given a tour of the kennel area and then back to the play yard to discuss what my wants, needs and concerns were for my new baby.

Dana suggested a male and brought out another fur baby to see me and again, he marked his territory and only played with me because I had treats and toys. And then there he was...running to me and wanting to be petted and loved.

Arthur picked me. He wanted to play and to be loved and jumped up on the tire beside me to get my attention while we discussed his background. Arthur never left my side. I thought about it for a few weeks and decided that he had picked me and I had to bring him to his furever home. December 26, 2015 I picked up Arthur and he has been the King of my castle ever since. He has taken over my bed, my couch, my truck and my heart. When I have been in the office too long, he comes in and puts his head under my arm to tell me its time to go play.

I never thought I could love him so much and his love for me is never ending. My mother was attacked by a German Shepard as a child and vowed not to like any rescue I brought home. Ha she calls and I put her on speaker phone to talk to her "grand son". He has stolen all of our hearts.

Thanks to Shaw Pit Bull Rescue and the work they do to help find these babies a loving home. They are solely funded by donations and volunteers and this grant would help them continue to educate the public and continue their passion of rescuing these precious babies.

October of 2014 I saw a post about Secret Santa going on at our local pit bull rescue. Me being the
animal lover I am, I decided to sponsor 2 dogs. December 20,2014 I went out to the rescue with
my santa gifts to meet and play with the dogs I sponsored. The first one wanted nothing to do with
me, but sweet BooBear jumped right onto the picnic table I was sitting at and gave me lots of
kisses to say thank you for her gifts.

I fell in love with her that day and told the rescue workers that as soon as I had a house of my own that I was coming back to get her.

Throughout the year they had several more sponsorship opportunities, so of course I sponsored BooBear.

October of the next year rolls around and I started the process of buying my first house. Needless to say, as soon as the house was closed on and I was moved in, I adopted my sweet girl a week later which happened to be almost exactly 1 year from the day I first met her. I knew it was fate the first time I saw her. She has changed my life in so many ways. She is my saving grace and my best friend.

I'm so thankful that I saw that secret santa post that year because I never would have met my loveable pit bull that has not only stolen my heart, but every heart that sees her.

While driving home through Hayes Crossing one afternoon, my son, Daniel, saw a pitiful specimen
of dog on the side of the road. Nothing but skin and bones, Daniel just couldn't pass him by! He
pulled to the side of the road, got out and headed toward the front of the truck where he had seen the dog but......he was gone! As Daniel turned to go back to his truck the dog met him at the door, jumping on him and begging for loving.

As "luck" would have it he had just picked up an order of deer sausage and proceeded to share with the poor dog. Even though he was starving, just skin and bones, dirty and smelly, the dog very gently took the piece of sausage offered to him, but he was not quite so gentlemanly in asking for seconds! Daniel loaded him into the back of the truck and headed for home.

He was able to contact Amiee Shaw at Shaw Pit Bull Rescue who upon seeing how skinny he was agreed to take the dog and try to save him. They named him Carter Hayes after my son and the place he was found. He had no chip and no identification so no owners to contact.

Daniel returned to Shaw Pit Bull Rescue to check on Hayes's progress and after spending two months at the rescue he had gained 18 pounds! Shaw Pit Bull Rescue determined Hayes to be approximately 10 years old.

After taking his Australian shepherd, Levi, to meet Hayes and deciding he would be a good fit, Daniel gave Hayes his furever home, adopting him four months after finding him alone and abandoned on the side of a country road. His name is now Hayes Carter.

Hayes has fit into our family beautifully! He is so laid back and has such a great personality. He's the perfect compliment to "never stop" Levi and never leaves Daniel's side.

Maddie was my first rescue - a stocky white and brindle pit bull who never met a stranger and I'm positive understood English. It was November 2010, and I was a single graduate student. Before Christmas, Maddie and I were already inseparable. Fast forward 5 years through graduating, job moves, and a wedding, and the unthinkable happened. Maddie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, and after a leg amputation and chemotherapy, she only lived 8 months post diagnosis. I was devastated and wondered if I'd ever be able to love another dog as much as Maddie, but on April 4, 2016, that question was quickly answered.

When Maddie crossed the Rainbow Bridge, I was a newly-wed military spouse recently transplanted to a new town states away from family to be with my husband who was stationed there as an Air Force pilot. Talk about a transition - new husband, new home, new town, new job, no Maddie. I began regularly volunteering at Shaw Pit Bull Rescue in memory of my beloved Maddie and loved every second of it. Pit Bulls are such a misunderstood breed that need, and quite frankly deserve, all the positive attention and promotion they can get. That's where I met who this story is really about - Josie.

When I first began volunteering, I knew I wasn't ready to bring home a new pup quite yet. Then, Josie got brought into the Rescue. She was a tiny stray who had been left to fend for herself and had no hair on her little body from her shoulders back. Each Saturday, I would see her gaining a little more strength, confidence, and hair. There was something special about Josie, but I still wasn't quite ready - until my husband got the dreaded news that he would soon be deploying to the middle east for 6 months. I knew I had to bring Josie home to be my companion while my husband was serving our country overseas. Josie became an official member of our family on April 4, 2016, and right after our first wedding anniversary, my husband left for his 6-month deployment on July 9, 2016.

Over the past few months, Josie and I have formed a bond like no other. Josie is so much more than just a companion in my husband's absence. She is my co-worker as I work from home, my exercise-buddy as we go on daily walks, my dinner date as I eat home alone, and my protector as I sleep. She knows when I'm sad, and even lays on my feet under my desk while I work. She has taught me that my heart will always have room for more love to give. While we wait for my husband to return in January, I know that I have Josie to greet me every day and to share in the upcoming holidays. Josie may be "just a dog" to some, but to me, she's love, hope, trust, and most of all, FAMILY.