It always breaks my heart when I look at pet rescue sites and see hundreds of dogs big and small, young and old looking for their fur-ever home.
To me, a pet is for life; always and forever.
YOU chose to bring him home, not the other way around. So why give him up when:
“He got too big”
“He’s old and his sight & hearing is starting to go”
“I have kids now”
“I just don’t have the time for him anymore”
“I’m going on extended travel”
“He is just too energetic”
“She is not giving me as many puppies anymore”
The list of “reasons” goes on and on? I just don’t get it; I guess I never will?
I must admit I am a self confessed addict to pet rescue sites. When I know of someone that may be considering a new addition to their family, albeit a dog, cat, pocket pet or even farm animal; I trawl through these sites on a mission, a quest to find a rescue that would suit their family. I have become known by my circle of friends as the “pet finder” (or in some cases, the “pet discourager” if they just do not have the time in their life to take on a pet for life!)
So it goes without question that when I stumbled upon a dog that appeared to be the sweetest and most gorgeous looking American Staffy on Pet Rescue. Her profile had one singular caption that quite literally grabbed my attention:
“If you’re looking for a marathon running companion then she probably is not the lady for you”.
Could This Gorgeous Girl Be “The One”?
I knew just the person I had to share it with. A true admirer of the Staffy breed and as timing would have it “in between” dogs so to speak. I knew that he had considered a dog in the future. I also appreciated that he did not need any dog; he needed a very special dog that demonstrated some very extraordinary traits.
You see, his lovely wife has a very rare medical condition which meant that the dog had to be calm and easy going by nature, not jumpy, content to go for laid-back walks, liked a bit of chill-out time, while enjoyed a bit of playtime and dog/family/kid friendly.
Surely this was not too much to ask?
Time For A Belly Scratch
As most people know, Staffy’s are known for their super duper playful, bouncy, clown like behaviour. So the task to find a Staffy that displayed these other “extraordinary” traits was presenting a challenge. I considered maybe just maybe she could be “the one”.
After making arrangements to do a “meet and greet” we were to learn her very sad story; discovered unwanted and abandoned, tied up outside the pound; in poor condition at just 19kg and still lactating from a recent litter. We were also told further, how she would cower from everything such as being bathed, the hose and even picking up a shoe!
It’s Meet ‘n’ Greet Time!
Let’s Go For A Walk Together!
The Look Of Approval!
I was astounded; to look at her only a matter of weeks later and see a healthy, happy 31kg dog that with the care, training and devotion from foster mum Erika of The Underdog, Staffy and Bull Breed Rescue is regaining her confidence and lost nearly all of the fear she had when first rescued.
Life’s Good!
It was agreed “Jilly” was “the one”. With further guidance and the “basic love” that everyone deserves she is fast become a much loved member of her new family and also quite “the lady” around the house that “Jilly” is becoming more affectionately known as “Lady”.
A BIG THANK YOU goes out to Erika and The Underdog, Staffy and Bull Breed Rescue as a whole for the amazing efforts in saving the lives of much misunderstood Bull-breed and Staffy breed dogs. You all quite simply do a wonderful job.
Author Bio: Nikki is pack leader at Pressplay Pets, a blog for the modern age pet parent interested in health & care, news, reviews & personal accounts of unconditional love & at times heartfelt pain of pet parenting. She is also proud mum to cute and cheeky Papillons ‘Amber’ and ‘Indy’ and one crazy Rainbow Lorikeet named ‘Ralph’! Follow my Facebook and Twitter.
Pressplay Pets a blog for the modern age pet parent interested in health & care, news, reviews & personal accounts of unconditional love & at times heartfelt pain of pet parenting!
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