This is the second in a series of seven profiles of less adoptable pets we’re doing as part of Petfinder.com’s Adopt A Less Adoptable Pet Week. All of these great pets that have been in foster care too long – some of them have minor medical issues or special needs, but all are wonderful pets that deserve a chance at happiness. Our goal is to get all seven of these great pets a loving home, but we need your help to make it happen! Please help us help them by sharing their story by email, on Facebook, on Twitter (@dfwanimalrescue), or on Linked In (Rebecca Poling). It only takes a minute and it could mean the world to a homeless pet.
Cassidy is a pit bull. Let’s get that out of the way up front. Pit bulls (not truly a breed, but a term used to describe a handful of similar breeds, like American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and American Pit Bull Terriers) are amazingly loyal, smart, intelligent, affectionate dogs. But they’re not the right dog for an inexperienced dog owner, for someone looking for a dog as a status symbol, or for someone afraid of what their friends might say. Thanks to Michael Vick, media portrayals of pit bulls as villains (remember that very first Sports Illustrated cover story in 2007?) and plenty of unwarranted hysteria (reminiscent of the Salem Witch Trials), pit bulls are one of the most misunderstood breeds and one of the hardest to adopt. But did you know Pit Bulls were bred to be the perfect human companion? Throughout history have been used as farm dogs, family dogs, and military mascots. They’ve starred in TV shows. Remember Our Gang and the Little Rascals? Petey was a pit bull. They’ve served in the military, too. Sargeant Stubby, a pit bull who served in 102nd Infantry, 26th (Yankee) Division in France for 18 months during WWI, is the only dog to ever be promoted to Sergeant. They’ve been used in advertising for Buster Brown Shoes, RCA, and most recently Target. They’ve been used to promote patriotism and military recruiting. There’s even a Pit Bull in the Disney movie, “The Incredible Journey.” And for a responsible pet owner, willing to take the time to educate themselves about the breed, and committed to at least basic obedience training, they can be, by far, the most amazing and loyal companions anyone could possibly want.
Think a pit bull might be right for your family? Then you’ll love Cassidy. She’s technically an American Pit Bull Terrier mix. Dallas Animal Services had set a humane trap for a frightened stray they had been trying to rescue. Instead, they got Cassidy, who’d apparently been on the streets fending for herself for some time. She was starving and went into the trap to get the food. She was transferred to Mazie’s Mission shortly thereafter, and has been in a foster home since. As you can see, Cassidy is a “special needs” pet. She was born with a front limb deformity – her left leg never grew out all the way and was eventually amputated, but that doesn’t slow her down. She loves kid of all ages and other dogs. She shows interest in cats, but has not been around them, so her ability to live peacefully with them is still unknown. She’s a sweet girl, house-trained, and with great manners, who desperately needs a family of her own. Once she finds that perfect family, Cassidy will become a respected ambassador for a misunderstood breed, and a champion for disabled pets everywhere. Fine out more about Cassidy, and information on adopting from Mazie’s Mission on Petfinder.com.
We’ll be featuring seven hard-to-adopt pets from seven different local rescue groups during Petfinder,com’s “Adopt A Less Adoptable Pet Week.”. The first was Cricket, a brave little Boston Terrier/Boxer mix. Stay tuned for five more amazing pets, any one of which could be a perfect fit for your family!
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Copyright Rebecca Poling 2011. All rights reserved. Email DFWAnimalRescue@att.net if you have a story you’d like to share.
