Happy Beginnings

This page serves as a reminder of why we do what we do.  As dogs find their forever home we check back regularly to see how they are doing, and to get the thoughts of those who have chosen to share their life with a pit bull.  Some of these are truly remarkable.

Click to see our adopted pets!

SEGA

Saving Sega:
It seems like it has been such a long time since I first saw Sega’s face peering at me through the bars of his shelter run on the screen of my computer.  I remember thinking “that dog has such soulful eyes”. The headline read: Please Save Sega…he dies in 2 Days! Something told me that he was very special and I had to save him. I called the number for the rescue on the plea that was screening applications for the shelter Sega was in and was told that if we were approved to adopt Sega, he would be the first adult American Bulldog ever to be allowed to leave Memphis animal shelter alive. I put in an application and found out I was approved to go and save him, just 12 hours before he was scheduled to be put to sleep.

Sega’s Story:
We adopted Sega from the Memphis animal shelter 2 years ago on May 20, 2006. He was 4.5 years old, weighed only 65 pounds,   Heartworm positive, and had a horrible lung infection. My husband and oldest daughter (now 17) drove 8 hours round trip to pick him up from the Memphis shelter. We brought him home, treated him for the lung infection and then the heart worms and started to give him the love of a family that he needed and deserved. Sega carries on his head and chest the many scars of battles past, but in his heart he has nothing but love for us, the people who saved him. When we brought Sega here, he did not know how to get up on the bed or the couch.  He did not shake with his paw or sit when asked.  He even lifted his leg in the house two times…having a family was a learning experience for Sega and having Sega has been a learning experience for us.

Sega’s Friend Abby:
When Sega first met my daughter Abigail she was just over 1 year old, she was quick moving and had a squeaky high pitched voice that Sega was not too sure of. She made him uneasy and we understood we needed to take it slow if they were ever going to be friends. About 6 months after he moved in and a million goodies later, he decided it was time to make Abby his best friend and there has been no looking back. They are now virtually inseparable. They spend every day both laying on the couch together and watching TV, cuddling, sharing snacks or in Abby’s room playing games. He lets Abby set up all of her little pet shop toys on his back and play with them and occasionally he gets involved in the game by picking one up and tossing it about while Abby giggles at his antics. When Abby wants to play doctor with her pretend doctor kit, Sega is always the first one in line to volunteer for the job of patient and sits quietly while she takes his temperature and puts Band-Aids on his pretend injuries. He loves to play ball with her and he treats her with a gentle, loving nature you would never expect from such a giant of a dog. Watching the two of them together amazes me every day. Sega has recently added a new game to his list of things he likes to do with Abby, he actually plays Duck, Duck Goose. He sits in a circle with all of us while Abby walks around “Ducking” everyone and when she taps his head and says “goose” and starts to run around the circle, he chases her until she sits down and then he sits next to her and excitedly gets ready for the next round. He loves to play with his friend Abigail and it is so funny to watch the two of them together. What Sega and Abigail have is a love that everyone should experience.

Sega’s 2009 Update:
Sega is now 7.5 years old and was diagnosed with many health problems this February 2009. We realized something was wrong with him when he started to limp so we took him into the vet to have tests and x-rays done. His vertebrae in his spine near his tail bone are producing extra bone causing it to fuse together.  He has arthritis in his back and legs, mild hip displaysia, a chip on his back left hip, his back left knee is also producing extra bone and growing together and now, just this past week we have found that he also has arthritis and bone growth in his neck. Poor Sega has had a rough life. We are doing everything we can to keep Sega’s condition from worsening. Lot s of love, meds and a few really expensive orthopedic beds seem to be helping a bit.

Sega’s 2 Year Anniversary ~ montage

Sega is the sole reason I rescue dogs today. After adopting Sega, I got back in touch with the rescue that worked on getting him out of the shelter and I now spend my days volunteering for that rescue and even fostering dogs. So it is because of Sega that many other dogs are alive today, so I guess you could really say it is Sega who saved me!

CHESSIE

Hello, my name is Norman.

I am a disabled pediatric dentist. I was never a private practitioner but taught at UT College of Dentistry for over 20 years. I served as Interim Chair of Pediatric Dentistry for two years and was Director of the Division of Public Health for four years. I also served as Dental Director of the UT Children & Youth Project for more than 15 years. In addition to my BA, DDS, and specialty in Pediatric Dentistry, I earned a Master of Public Health (MPH). I served my country as a dentist in the US Army Reserve for six years. I also received a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Memphis for my efforts on behalf of poor and handicapped children. So much for my bona fides.

In 1998, I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes. For two years, I was treated with a medication called Rezulin, which was banned by the FDA in early 2000. However, I had been poisoned, and contracted Hepatitis, Nephrotic Syndrome, and Multiple Sclerosis. I became paraplegic, but recovered about 50% of my abilities after over two years of intensive physical therapy. My liver, kidneys and nervous system are damaged forever. So be it. I’ll die, but I won’t go down easily.

My wife, kids and I had a fox terrier mutt for 14 years we rescued called Daisy. She died 3-1/2 years ago, a beautiful dog with a beautiful nature. I had been told about a year earlier, when I knew Daisy’s time was short, that the best way to get over the death of a beloved dog was to get a new one as soon as you can bear it, since the family grieves for a lost member, even if it had four legs.

So I called a rescue organization called Hearts of Gold Pit Rescue, thinking it was really Pet Rescue. I was wrong. The chief of the organization, Donna Velez, came out to my family with this 6 month old pit bull, affectionate and loving, who would have been euthanized.  She explained the real story of pit bull terriers. Even my wife and kids took a liking to her and we took this dog named Chessie. That was three years ago.

Chessie has been very important in my continuing recovery She is a house dog, with run of the house privileges. She sleeps with my wife and I in the same bed about half the time, and is a constant and loyal companion to me. She also helps me with my exercise, especially going on walks. She has won over my friends, who entered the house the first time quite warily. She has never bitten anyone, and likes other dogs. She is a beautiful, loving dog with a heart of pure gold. She is a great therapy dog!

Please understand, any dog can be made vicious (Rottweilers, Dobermans). It is not the breed. It is what irresponsible people who feel they “own” their animals and train them to be cruel who give this breed a bad rap, and a cheap shot. So many dogs are put to death each day! Condemn the responsible party, the human. Dogs, like people, learn what they live. Deposit kindness and love in your pit bull and you will get it all back with interest. I beg you–condemn the responsible person who does not fence in his yard, doesn’t have his pet spayed or neutered, and doesn’t only not use a leash, but lets the dog run free in the streets! This is the criminal. Do not punish the one who is not at fault; punish the one who made the silk purse into a sow’s ear.

TRINITY

Meet Trinity, our rescued pit bull. She moved to Connecticut on March 1, 2008 and has been an ambassador for the breed ever since. Enjoy the tales of Trin and her ladies!  Join us at TrinitythePitBull.com.  You can also read DAD’S STORY ABOUT ADOPTING A PIT BULL.

DIAMOND

Diamond is doing great! She loves being an only “child” although I’m sure she misses the boys (two Dobermans). We were so proud of her and how she (Diamond) handled her first few days here. She didn’t mind all the kids petting her or hugging her. She even tolerates the other dogs. She’s even managed to beat out the Yorkie down the block to become the new neighborhood mascot.

We have to educate the neighbors about her. Quite a few of the neighbors were scared of her at first, but now they stop to pet her or ask questions and most of them complement me on how well behaved she is. Even the vet said that she was the most well behaved pit bull that they’ve ever seen. The normally don’t take pit bulls because too many of them are aggressive. They were so impressed with her they sent me home with a bag of dog cookies.

Diamond Dad promised me to send you some of Diamond’s “winter fashions” pictures (she has a rain coat and a sweater). I even got her a pumpkin costume today so we can hand out candy for Halloween in fashion.

I just wanted to thank you for giving me Diamond. I don’t think I can get through law school without her. Just coming home to her every day is truly a gift.

KARA

In 2002 I left my home in Virginia and moved off to school. I brought with me pieces of my past and hopes for the future. FINALLY I was on the “right track.” But two years into my new life, I found myself exhausted and isolated. Living the dream was lonely- I was working all the time and trying to survive on a small stipend. I no longer had the family and friends that I did back home. For a while I tried to fill this void with different activities, new hobbies or people. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t find whatever it was I was searching for.

My third year in school I stumbled across a listing for a litter of stray puppies located in an animal shelter. That’s when I first saw Tucker, a little chocolate lab mix with a sweet sad face- I could tell he needed a place to call home and I needed a family. So I consulted with several experts on the safest toys, potential hazards and the best way to puppy proof my house.

It was around this time that I met Jessica, a passionate crusader for Hearts of Gold Pit Rescue. I asked her a million questions like most new “dog moms” will. So, I made up my mind and drove 400 miles to pick up this energetic, playful pup. I couldn’t wait to get him home…I had done my research and planned ahead for everything. I was determined to be the best dog mom ever. Only, things didn’t go according to my perfect plan… Tucker was a rowdy little boy- he loved to jump on people, chew on things, bark and howl. Still, I thought he was the best thing since sliced bread. But after a few months I started to realize that maybe he needed a companion to play with. It was then I began to consider the idea of adopting another dog. So, despite my concerns, I decided to go ahead and become a “foster mom” to a beautiful pit bull named Chara (aka Kara). It was during this process that I unknowingly came into contact with Kara’s current foster mom, Jessica. It wasn’t until months later that the two of us realized that we had spoken before!

I have had my babies for almost two years now. We’ve had some rough times; Kara had surgery to remove a benign cyst on her belly. Then there was a change in management and our new landlords told me I had to get rid of my pit bull or move. So we moved. But all in all- it has all been worth it. The pups go on runs with me on the weekends to Shelby farms; they have their own stockings at Christmas. Every night, I fall asleep and they are there….they both let out a loud sigh before falling asleep and sometimes I do too…. Usually I wake and I am snuggled in the middle between them. Kara snores and Tucker loves to lay right in the middle of the bed. Nothing turned out the way I had imagined…but that’s ok, because this version is a lot better- mostly because it was real.

At some point, I think we have to throw our perfect plans for how we want our life to go and start living it the way it is. Life is full of surprises, some more fun than others. My ten year high school reunion is coming up this summer. So far, I haven’t finished my degree, I don’t have a fancy house or car…. And I’m not married…nor have I lost those 10 pounds I’ve been shooting for…But I do have a wonderful family. I consider myself lucky to have found these two loyal companions.

It’s hard to describe to what their silent support means, or how much they can say with just a look. After almost thirty years, I have discovered that things rarely turn out the way you would have expected them to. One minute you think that you are right on track and the next you are derailed. I have started to take time and enjoy the small things in my life a little more. I sit out side and read with the dogs… then I clean up the kitchen floor only to have them track mud on it again . I laugh at my feeble attempts to keep order and keep moving forward. I’ve tried to stop focusing so much on the things I don’t have and appreciate the blessings that are currently in my life.

TANK

Tank is doing great! He has the most character of any dog I have had. In the morning he will lay in bed for a minimum of 15 minutes and oftentimes more, I guess to get his beauty sleep. He also thinks he is still a puppy or at least acts like one. There is never a dull moment when he is around. Tank also loves to travel he has been to South Carolina, to visit my niece and nephew, Indianapolis, where his girlfriend lives, and Colorado, were he loves to go trout fishing with Daddy. It is the only time he will go in the water. He will actually put his head under water to play with the fish on the stringer.

Tank does not have a mean bone in his body he loves everybody he meets and can’t wait for the chance to meet new dogs and cats to play with. I took him to Telluride were everybody has dogs and he was just in heaven. I can’t wait till I have enough room to add  to our family. I think he would love to have someone to play with that has the energy level he does.

Tank and I are going to California next month. I am curious what his reaction is going to be when he sees the ocean for the first time. I am sure he will love it especially when he notices all the other dogs around. He and I will be doing alot of hiking while we are there. I’m not sure what his reaction will be to that since he would probably prefer to lay on the couch and watch tv. He is lazy but that is one of the traits I love about him.

Donna thank you so much for putting Tank and I together.