Please Adopt, Don’t Shop: The Pit Bull Shelter Stars of NYC ACC

photo credit: Deviant Art

I just love the photo above. There’s an almost sacred, unspoken connection between them that hits me immediately. I chose it because these dogs are regal, deep, loyal and loovvee people.  Shelter Stars is about “Adopt, don’t shop.”  While I’m looking at adoptable dogs from the NYC Animal Care & Control, even though I know better, it still struck me just how many Pit Bulls or Pit-like Bull Terrier mixes are languishing in shelters. Most of the dogs I see in shelter listings are Pitties. They’re beautiful dogs, all ages. I found out Pits were trained, historically, to be very attached to people, very loving and good with people. They were called the #1 family dog, the “nanny dog,” because they were so good with children. So, once again, it’s usually the owners, not the pups who create a “bad” dog. By “bad,” I mean untrusting, angry, fearful, becoming aggressive, mean. Imagine how traumatizing it must be to go through life that way. Jeez.

OK, I could depress myself for the rest of the day, but what I’m going to do is highlight the Pit Bull Shelter Stars of the NYC Animal Care & Control, in the hopes someone will see one of these beautiful creatures, and want to open their hearts and homes to them. Here we go.

COREY

ID#A0975591

Corey is a black and white, unaltered Pit Bull Terrier mix male, who is estimated to be about 7 years old and weighs 61 lbs. Here’s what a shelter volunteer, who has been taking care of Corey, says about him. Breaks my heart:

“Corey just joined us and it’s clear that where he lived before he has been neglected. He is too thin, has problems with his back legs, is likely blind and has ear infections. None of this has stopped him from being loving and gentle, wagging his tail as we walk. He walks with his nose to the ground, sniffing his way as we go, and I talk to him constantly so that he can follow my voice. He bumps into things, and doesn’t see curbs and such, so we go slow and easy. He’s likely housetrained as he ‘went’ as soon as we were out the door. Corey is gentle, enjoying some petting, and happy to be out in some fresh air. He didn’t like being tethered for photos and wasn’t interested in my ‘bribe treats’. Corey cries for something – his people maybe? Even though not well taken care of, they are what he knows. Corey needs a new beginning with people who will see to his medical needs, and love him like there is no tomorrow. He’s a sweet boy who is looking for a new beginning……and deserves it.”

Would someone please open their hearts to this guy?

 BLACKY

ID#A0997379

Blacky is a black and white, unaltered Pit Bull Terrier mix tripod male, estimated to be about 8 years old, weighing 60 lbs. Here’s what a shelter volunteer has to say about him:

Blacky is a handsome and one of a kind dog. He waits calmly in his arrival kennel but as soon as he sees me iddling in front of his door, his eyes are all on me. Blacky is leashed easily. I discover with surprise that he owns only 3 legs. No time to think about the matter…Blacky shows me right away that he can walk well, run and climb stairs just the way he is. He is a pooch with a strong spirit ! In the yard, we are met by a staff member who knows him well. Blacky wags his tail and right away goes to her for caresses. He looks like a very affectionate dog. He is good on the leash, pulls a little at times and eliminates on the way. Free in a pen, he roams around. I can see that he is a bit stressed. Blacky might be middle aged but he is a strong dog and does not belong kept in a kennel. Too many changes also have recently affected his life and he does not know where he belongs anymore…Blacky settles down eventually, takes a treat and sits by my side, very peacefully. He comes to my lap, asking for comfort and hugs. He kisses my face profusely…Blacky is well nourished and healthy looking. He knows his ways around people and is a very sociable dog. Blacky was given away by his long time owner to a friend who could not keep him. Blacky, although friendly with his new master’s pets (dogs and small critters) had difficulties integrating into the pack for a host of reasons..his personality, his age, his disability…Who knows really…? What we know is that Blacky is homeless and familyless now. He is quite an endearing and friendly guy who would make a solid, loving and faithful companion, given a chance…Blacky is at the Manhattan Care Center.

HAZEL

ID#A0997469

Hazel is a beautiful, buckskin tan unspayed Pit Bull Terrier mix female, estimated to be about 6 years old,weighing 90 lbs. Here’s what a volunteer caring for her has to say:

I was about to go home when I spotted a beautiful large tan dog sitting right behind her door. One of her eyes was closed by an infection(that we are treating of course). The other was clear amber, looking intensely at me. My heart stopped. My very kind of dog….Hazel is her name. I had to take her out, attend to her eye , walk her, spend time with her. I knew that she would make the end of my day a blessing. Hazel was relinquished into our care with housemate Prince, a gorgeous male, as their owners were moving to a place not allowing large dogs. They lived in harmony with small critters and children. Hazel is known to be friendly to all and knows a number of commands. Hazel let me clean her eyes without giving me a hard time. She is a good patient. A treat is in order of course and she loves them. She is a bit on the chunky side and seems to have been a mother recently and probably a number of times. She must have “made” so many adorable “little Old Yellers.” Hazel looks so Labish. Hazel pulls a little on the leash and eliminates on the way. She is totally cool with other dogs, wagging her tail low and slow when she sees a nice one and ignoring those who are looking for trouble. Hazel knows best! Free in a pen, she stays around me, sits across me, puts her head in my lap, kisses my hand and welcomes caresses. She is a gentle girl, reserved and shyly loving. I fell in love with Hazel and I hope that you will, too. She is at the Manhattan Care Center waiting for you to meet her, see her inner and outer beauty and take her home as your forever best friend.

Three beautiful, loving, majestic dogs who need a family or significant other to call home. If you are in a position to adopt a large dog, please consider them. What a real blessing you’ll be doing.

Do you have an adoption story to share? I’d love to hear it in the Comments below.