Happy Endings...

 DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

By Jennifer Vlazny, Hinsdale Humane Society Operations Manager.  April, 2011

The police officer guided him through the rear door of the building on the end of a metal catch-pole, used for safety reasons when handling aggressive or questionably-tempered dogs.  His ears were crudely cropped close to his head, undoubtedly with the intent of making him look mean and foreboding, which he did.  He was a stout dog, well-muscled, with a confident demeanor.  Not surprisingly, he was not neutered.  The skin on his chest was bright red, indicating dermatitis of some sort, possibly allergies.  Also not surprising, his neck was void of a collar with identification.  I knew there was minimal chance he had been micro chipped, and though I hoped I was wrong, I doubted very much that anyone would step forward to claim him.  The five-day stray holding period passed and it became apparent the large gray-colored Pit Bull had been abandoned.

There was no way we could know this dog’s past experiences, how he came to be wandering the streets, and why no one chose to claim him.  Despite his ominous outer appearance, Captain, as he was named by the staff, proved himself to be the epitome of what all Pit Bulls should be, very social, loving dogs that are happiest in the company of the people who love them.  But no matter how sweet and well-behaved he was, Captain was still a Pit Bull, and few adopters want to even consider a Pit Bull because of their negative perception of the breed. 

Captain was medicated to treat the secondary skin infection caused by what was later diagnosed as mange, and we began the series of multiple “dips” to eradicate the parasite.  We also had him neutered with the hope of making him more adoptable, but still this big lovable boy waited and waited while the weeks passed and no one asked to take him home.

…And then I received an email from a man who lived on a farm in another state 8 hours away.  He was looking for a companion that could be with him on a regular basis and a couple of his friends suggested a Pit Bull.  We exchanged several emails back and forth regarding his home environment and whether Captain would be a good match, and two days later he and his two children made the 8 hour drive to meet him.  The rest of the story is in his follow up email below:

I am so pleased with him!! We all had a great drive home. We made three stops on the way home and he was awesome. Once we got home we laid out his food and water bowl and walked him through the house. He naturally sniffed everything and was curious, but not once has he pulled on anything or made a mess. We went for a walk outside around the main part of the yard and got him used to those boundaries. We came in, popped in the new Harry Potter movie, and relaxed. Captain lay right between my son and me and started snoring.... I finally have competition!! LOL When it was bed time we went to the bedroom and he laid down on the blanket I put down for him, but ended up moving to the end of the bed in front of the door and was there all night. This morning I was greeted with kisses.

Today was a big day. We went outside after breakfast and morning duty and he met the boys. I think they are going to get along quite well. They all played like gentlemen, more or less. It's funny, when Captain wanted to play he uses a puppy bark, it is just awesome. He was curious about the horses and why they didn't want to play. It was funny, we were all playing with an old volleyball and Captain stole it from us. He didn't like the tennis ball, but he loves the volleyball. Captain, the boys, and I went for a walk out to the pasture and Captain thought that was great, he ran up and down it with the boys almost non-stop for about an hour. It was awesome to see. He really seems to be enjoying it out here. He always comes back to me for reassuring pat or scratch. When we were volleying the ball, he would just stand next to me, just touching me. I am seeing what was meant by loyalty in the breed or maybe just him. Even last night when he was lying on the floor with us, he just had to be touching me.
 

I know what you mean by his smile. The whole way back from Hinsdale, he was lying in the back seat, with his paws and chin on the center console by my arm; or he would sit staring at me smiling. I was watching him in the rearview. A couple of times he put his chin on my shoulder and would just watch out the window. He is so tuned in, I love that about him. Like this morning when we first went out for him to do his business, he was sitting there watching the birds and the trees. It was almost like it was new to him. I just cannot say enough good things about him. I think him and I will have a great future together. I want to thank you and your fantastic staff. You were all so welcoming and friendly and very open. I wish you all the best!!

Thanks,
Rod, Captain, Chey, and Joey