What My Shelter Means to Me: Bella Vista Animal Shelter

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.