Dog Eared Tales.

Want to know a secret?  Mom used to be scared of pit bulls.  Even after all her years in rescue, she was afraid they were a little too big and a little too much “dog” for her to handle.  She never spent any one on one time with pit bulls at adoption events or the shelters. That is until recently… 

In our NJ town, the homeless pit bulls are well represented and watched over, so her lack of involvement with the breed never came up.  Mom has seen and learned enough to know the stereotypes were not all true but even so, she tended toward the old Labradors like me for fostering and walking.  Two weeks ago she applied her knowledge and overcame her hesitation to interact with pits when she was lucky enough to meet and visit a young pit bull named Smokey!

Click this image to find Smokey on Petfinder

Smokey was an owner surrender.  His past reads like the story of many surrendered pets of all breeds and types.  His family simply did not know what they were getting into by adopting a dog.  It wasn’t a good fit and Smokey spent the first few years of his life paying for it with isolation and mistreatment.    

Our town is very fortunate to have an experienced, compassionate, fearless and very wise ACO/Shelter manager named Heather, who saw the potential in Smokey.  Mom used to volunteer with her back in the days when there was no shelter and she trusts her judgment without question. Mom knew Heather gave him a chance, so she did too. She spent some time with him at an event and is pleased to report Smokey has really blossomed thanks to the devotion of the volunteers there.  Heather and her group have a lot of pit experience and they have done the most difficult part; they taught Smokey what it feels liked to be loved and to trust. All he needs now is the right home and someone to believe in him.  Are you his new family?

Check out Smokey on Petfinder to read how far he has come or go ahead and call Heather for an update to learn more:

Smokey is a 2-3 year old pit bull who has certainly grown near and dear to our hearts. He came to us as a surrender who purchased him as a puppy just because she thought it was cool to have a pit bull. She did not socialize, train, exercise, or expose him to the outside world during his formative puppy stages and as he began to get older, larger, and stronger he became anxious. Her response to this was to keep him in a crate for the majority of the time and physically abuse him when he was out of the crate…more

Contact Info:  
WOODBRIDGE TOWNSHIP ANIMAL CONTROL, Woodbridge, NJ
732-855-0600 X 5007
animal.control@twp.woodbridge.nj.us
RE: Petfinder.com Pet Inquiry: Smokey PFId

Guess what? This is my 100th post!  I could not think of a better way to commemorate that than by trying to help a homeless animal stuck in a shelter.  This post is part of a contest our friend Mayzie is running called “ Rescue Me Week” and we are not only helping Smokey but hoping to win a donation to the shelter too.  Get all the details here: http://mayziegal.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/big-announcement-2/

THANK YOU Grampa J, Mayzie and Mayzie's Mom for sponsoring this contest!