What My Shelter Means to Me: Bella Vista Animal Shelter
February 24, 2012
By Susan Miller
I got loose and thought it was, fun but then I got lost. After all, I’m a pit bull, not a hound dog. My nose doesn’t work like theirs. I found myself in the middle of an intersection in Arkansas. Cars were zipping by. Horns were honking. I was scared. While I look big and burly, I’m very sensitive and quite shy.
Finally, a man lured me into his truck, and I ended up in a big building with lots of barking dogs. I guess it was called a shelter, but I was scared beyond belief. I cowered in the corner for the first few days. A nice lady checked on me often, and other people gave me food and water. I grew to realize they cared about me and warmed up to them.
One “Grandma” took me home with her a few days, and I got to play with her grandchildren. She started to call me Zoe. But all that was just temporary. I think she was testing my disposition with children and cats. I passed with flying colors.
Some days passed and they put a little dog in with me who really bugged me. He wasn’t scared at all! In fact, that mutt was little and loud and annoying. I put up with it for one full week, then gently pushed him to the ground with my mouth. That’s my way of saying, “OK, enough brat, give it a rest.” I guess the people got the point because they took the pest away and I was alone again.
Days and weeks went by. Some people took me out and looked me over. But most of them were mean. After those people left, I heard the ones who fed me say, “I think they just wanted her for fighting, and she’s too nice for that.” More days and weeks passed. I forgot my house training, and I just started to potty and poo anywhere. I knew better but what else could I do?
Finally, a group of people came to see me. One of them was a single mom with two children. I heard her say, “She’s so beautiful and sweet.” She came back the next day and took me outside for a walk. I impressed her with my strength and kind ways. She let her small children pet and climb on me. I think she wanted to know if I could handle their kind of play. I loved it! She left and I was sad, but she came back the next day and asked if they would let her take me to live with her in San Antonio, Texas. I heard Grandma asking her lots of questions about her backyard, her lifestyle and more. Finally, they let me go with her.
Now I live in Texas. I have a big backyard and get to go on walks with my new guardian. I play with my new kids and bark at anyone who I think may threaten them. I’m a perfectly behaved dog, and I am loved.
And best of all, she put a chip in me so that if I ever get lost again someone will be able to help me find my home again.
The Bella Vista Animal Shelter is located in Bella Vista, Ark.
Had chills while reading this story. Glad everyone is safe and happy. She looks like my Sasha
@theprettychic If that’s Sasha on your avatar, yes she does look a lot like her.
@sammam541 Yes, Sasha is the white one & Krush (male) is the reddish brown pibble. Next to my kids they are my pride & joy!
Just an update: Zoe has been with us almost three years since we got her in Arkansas. She loves life in Texas and we love her so much! She’s such an amazing, eager-to-please dog!
@sammam541 Glad to hear all is well in TX, I loved it there! I really wish you, stubbydog & everyone else here were with me moments ago. I spent my entire lunch hour dispelling myths and lies about pit bulls. One of the guys I had the conversation with never been around a pit bull and thought they were a “breed.” The other guy had pit bulls before and was buying into the myth. With those facts alone I should’ve walked away however, the love and passion I have for this bully breed and babies runs too deep so I obliged the conversation. The guy who’d never been around a pit bull was shocked how informed I am about pibbles. This goes to show there is much work to be done.
@theprettychic @sammam541 And thank you Kelli for all the work you do on behalf of pit bulls, kisses to Sasha and Krusher from us!
@sammam541 Thanks for the update, we are soooooo happy Zoe is with your family, it’s easy to see from the photo that she is incredibly loved!