Pitbull needs home – Please just read

RELAY: Pit Bull • 1 yr old

I have thought long and hard on how to post about this dog, without giving the impression that we "take in unwanted dogs;" and can not come up with a pleasant manner in which to say it.... so here is my story on Relay.

First off, I must disclose.... and this is not directed towards all the Doglando Family, Friends and Fans, but to individuals who may feel like we are the place to drop of unwanted dogs..... we are not a rescue facility, nor are we a shelter. We do not have the facilities/resources to take in unwanted pets, but can help individuals who can no longer keep their pets; by offering to send out emails to our fans, and adding their dog's posting on our blog; while the dog remains in the owner's care.

This week, someone "conveniently" abandoned their one year old pit bull on Doglando's parking lot. The couple told us they found the dog on Colonial, and did not want to see him get hit by a car, so they picked him up.... and brought him to us for help. I explained to them we would not be able to take the dog as we are not a shelter, but I would help by calling a few local rescue groups to see if they could take him in.

As I walked into the house (at Doglando), he decided he was going to let the dog out and I guess, leave. As I was walking in, the girls saw him open the door to let the dog out, and then proceed to leave. So here, we are with this poor guy, who appears to be such a sweet dog, but life is against him, he is a Pit Bull after all.

Jaine and I have contacted so many rescue groups to seek assistance, and unfortunately no one has offered to help us so far. It is really sad because he is such a sweet dog, but his chances a slim to none. This entire week we have played with him, loved him, fed him, and allowed him to enjoy and live the Doglando life, hoping by the weekend we would have at least a fostor home for him..... no one yet.

Relay appears to have been abused, beaten or severly punished as he is so terrified of people when he first meets them. Every time we grab the leash to walk him or bring him back inside, he cowers, scrouches low to the ground, with his tale inbetween his legs, looking up at his with plea in his puppy eyes. He is full of life otherwise, and would make the BEST agility or frisbee dog. He is fast, agile, amazingly intelligent and so damn loving.... and he is a Pit Bull.

Life is really unfortunate for these guys, here is a response we got from one of the rescue groups we emailed seeking help:

"Hello and thanks for the message. I regret I can't take a pit. I have two aggressive ones and two pit mixes, all of whom I've had for three and four years. No one wants them. I wish they did but they have such bad reputations. I don't think you will find a rescue to take him, and if you bring him to the county dog pound, he'll be there for a week and then be put down. It's so sad but that's the way it is with pits.

I don't recommend this lightly, but if you have the fortitude, I would give the boy the best weekend of his life—love, treats, long walks—and then take him to your vet and have him put down gently in your arms. It's what I recommend to everyone who has an unadoptable dog. So much better that they go out on top rather than at Orange County where they will be terrified, lonely, might get in fights, etc.

I wish I could help you. I'm sorry."

The sad part is that he is right.....

I thought I would try and post about Relay on our blog and hope we can find him some time..... or miraculously a home.

If you know anyone that you think may be interested in Relay, please, please, please let us know.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

On the other, I think it is important to support and recognize those rescue groups that understand how to place these types of dogs. There are a couple in town that Doglando works closely with, one being ARF SHACK and the other PET RESCUE BY JUDY.

A couple days after we got Relay, I called Sue with Arf Shack, and although she was completely full (she does not have a facility yet, and has to keep most of the dogs herself or in foster care), she 100% offered to have Relay vaccinated and neutered for us.

Please read Sue's response to my post:

As I stated, I can definitely help you with that. I am a bit disturbed to say the least by the response of the rescue that you quoted. I ask that you share with the group my take on rescuing bullys. I place them often and do not share the rather negative opinion of whoever you quoted. I feel like once you get to that point perhaps you should take a break from rescuing. I thought it was our job to present an accurate picture of the often misunderstood pit bulls, not reinforce public opinion. They can be placed it just takes more screening and maybe more diligence than the turn and burn rescues are willing to put forth. So maybe they just need to admit that without painting such a negative hopeless opinion of the bullys. I have rescued many over the almost two years I have been doing this I know Judy has rescued countless and I work closely with 2 phenomenol pit bull rescues. I am currently full and have 3 rescue bullys and 3 permanent among my home and my foster homes. If someone can foster this dog you have I would be happy to take him under my rescue covering his vet bills and Hw etc. I just need a foster home because I as yet have no facility. Please repost your request and present a more hopeful and positive outlook. I apologize for my fellow rescues who appear to be burnt out. It is easy to reach that point precisely because of people dumping dogs and people not understanding what it is we do and what it is we fight against. To all who receive this message I urge you to meet and get to know a Bully before you just decide giving one a good weekend and putting it down just cause it is a bully is the right thing to do. Thanks

I completely 100% support Sue and agree with her to keep seeking assistance for the right help. In addition to ARF SHACK, PET RESCUE BY JUDY has also been supportive in offering help..... as soon as they can free up space for Relay.

If there is anyone who can help immediately, by becoming a foster home for Relay, please contact Doglando.