The Velveteen Pit Bull
Even when we were looking to adopt a second dog, we thought we were doomed to a repeat of those crazy years. But – what if we just chose a dog who had already reached that magical, mellow age?
Rueben Is Just Right
When I tell people we adopted Rueben, a 12-year-old pit bull who strained to walk, couldn’t be picked up, has an extreme phobia of storms, has to take medicine at least twice a day, and can only eat $60 worth of dog food due to liver disease, I get one of two responses.
Why Our Adopted Elderbulls Rock
November is Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month and you know we at StubbyDog love our seniors! So we asked our Facebook fans, ’Fill in the blank: My adopted elderbull rocks because ___!’
Elderbull Artist
Our elderbull, named Kitty, is a rescue from All Aboard Search and Rescue of Santa Rosa, Calif. We adopted him on Halloween 2009, when he was estimated around 9 years old. He was left in a backyard his entire life, neglected and under-socialized.
Kenya’s Second Chance
On April 4, 2012, an email popped up in my inbox asking if anyone could foster a sweet, senior pit bull. I looked at the photos. What I saw was a gray face, sad eyes and floppy ears, one up and one down. She had lost her home when her owners were evicted, and now she found herself in a high kill shelter where the odds were stacked against her.
The Last Walk
Seven years old. That’s the age that your dog is considered a senior citizen. Seven years. We all know that our beloved companions don’t live as long as we do and certainly not as long as we would like them to.
Angels of Compassion
Tera had been at the shelter for two months. An older pit bull with skin cancer and two blown knees, her adoption chances were as low as can be. Tera went to live with Nicole Edwards, a veterinary nurse who welcomes dogs like Tera into her home for what’s known as compassion fostering.
One of a Kind
From the beginning, Tank was astoundingly loyal, easily trainable (I only had to teach him things once) and a touch manipulative. Whenever we would go out to eat or go to the pet store, he would always wait until the server or clerk would look at him. When he caught their eye he would dramatically move his head to show his missing cheek.
Pets and Seniors
But this post is a reminder – or perhaps a lesson – that not every senior dog that arrives in a shelter is there because “people suck.” Rather, some of these pets arrive in shelters because the lack of resources to support elders with pets sucks.
A Very Special Connection
Within two hours, I knew he was the dog for me. We just celebrated his sixth “Gotcha Day.” We have been through a lot together. He still makes me smile every day.
