I recently received this happy tale and just had to share it with my fellow Daily Waggers! Enjoy!
Hello Dr. Pia!
About 4 months ago my wife and I adopted Triple Coupon Thursday (a.k.a. Trip), a pit bull mix who came into our lives unexpectedly. We fell in love with her instantly and I wanted to share her story...
1 Trip's story begins like that of so many wonderful animals in need, but hers has a happy ending- one I wish was the case for thousands of others like her.
2 Trip was picked up by a local county animal control in early January, 2011.
3 She was not putting any pressure on one of her legs, so she was classified as "un-adoptable" and placed on the list animals slated to be 'euthanized.'
4 My friend and co-worker, Elizabeth LeBauve learned about Trip and wanted to save her.
5 With the help of Companion Animal Rescue League (C.A.R.L), she rushed to pull her out of the shelter and began raising money for her care.
6 A kind vet, offered to help with discounted surgery for Trip.
7 Trip's X-rays showed a fractured growth plate above the back left knee.
8 Elizabeth was told to raise $450 for an amputation, or $1500 for surgery that would not guarantee full use of the leg.
9 Elizabeth immediately set up a facebook/paypal page to raise at least enough money to get the leg amputated.
10 Within 48 hours, 59 people had helped to raise over $1500. Social networking offered a quick- and life saving way- to get people's attention to help.
11 Elizabeth then learned that Trip was healing better than expected! The vet thought it best to postpone surgery and focus the funds towards physical therapy and rehabilitation.
12 Trip has since graduated from a cast to a splint and her routine consists of daily stretching/walking exercises with weekly physical therapy sessions.
13 As of today, I'm proud to report that our girl has been splint-free for over 3 months doctors have given her a clean bill of health.
In late February, after experiencing Trip's gentle nature first hand, my wife and I adopted her. She was still slightly underweight, but extremely resilient and loving. We had just celebrated our wedding and thankfully, we had the full support from our family and friends. So we decided to offer Trip a place in our family. She is now the love of our lives!
As the "parent" of a pit bull mix I find it very frustrating that county and city governments target legislation towards banning a breed entirely, rather than on managing the specific behaviors that are at issue. It seems to me that focusing on creating rules and fines to curb certain behaviors specifically -- ones that can occur in all breeds -- would be a far more effective and fair approach to solving the issue of concern.
One can mismanage any dog into being aggressive- and when there is a dog bite report, rarely does the media include relevant details regarding whether the dog was taunted, had been neutered, was kept on a chain, left hungry, taught to be aggressive, etc. The extreme loyalty of this breed can easily be tricked into aggressive behavior by an owner who encourages and reinforces it. And aggression towards people is in fact very contrary to this breed's natural sensibilities.
Having a pit-bull mix that breaks the breed's negative image encourages me to keep educating my local neighborhood with a more balanced picture-one family at a time. I have now met so many other great pitties and pittie mixes who offer something quite contrary to the fear-based stereotypes associated with the breed.
I hope to always have these special dogs in my family. I intend to eventually teach my kids about how truly wonderful they are by nature and to resist the unfair stereotypes that abound.
I have attached a couple of photos for your viewing pleasure!
Thanks to all who help the animals!
-Stephen
Another pooch saved! Hooray for Trip!
In Kinship,
Dr. Pia Salk
A big thanks to Elizabeth LeBauve, The Companion Animal Rescue League, and the kind Dr. Filer who helped Trip find a new life in her forever home!
From: Kirby Bear | 8/4/11 at 8:40 am
Hello ladies, Kirby here.
And hello to you too Dr. Pia. Boy is it going to be hot again today. Was 104 yesterday and should be above 100 again today. I’m glad that I have nice cool AC in our house. Mommy and Daddy keep it cool just for me. I think it’s for them too. I hear, through the grapevine, that a bath is in store for someone today. I wonder just who that could be? I’ll bet his initials are KB. I think I will hide out for a while; someplace cool.
Catch you later, Kirby.
From: Maddox | 8/4/11 at 8:48 am
Hi Dr. Pia,
That was a good story about Trip. That was awesome how they raised money for Trip to get surgery. The computer can be such a good friend. When that explosion/fire happened at our kennel, Martha mentioned it on her blog and people from all over donated money to help with the vet bills for all the dogs that were burned. That helped my mom alot. She is still making payments to the vet for those bills but with the money that was raised in the beginning, she had a little leeway as far as keeping going to save them or not.
Basil, I am so anxious to hear about your vet visit. I am hoping and praying that you got a good report.
Rebel, don't be afraid of the construction workers hammers or thunderstorms. My mom rubs an unscented dryer sheet on Curyus when it thunders. He was never afraid of the noise till the explosion. I don't know how it works, but it seems to calm him down a bit. I guess it takes the static out of his coat, something like that. Zoe, wear a helmet when it hails. Those hail balls could knock you out.
Henry, if Eliad is the Eliad that my mom knows, she said you have a very very good owner and you will have a great life. I like the name Henry.
Well, I rambled on enough. I am going to guard the refrigerator again. Harley needs to lose weight so I lay in front of the fridge so she can't get in there for treats. It is a tough job, but someone has to do it. hehehehe
Love ya,
Maddox
From: Basil | 8/4/11 at 9:09 am
Hello Dr. Pia & Trip's family,
You are all the greatest!!! This is a wonderful story with a happy ending. I love those. It has made my day, no, I take that back, my week. A grocery clerk told my Mom for taking such good care of me that she has really good carma. She didn't even think about it twice. It is just the right thing to do.
Love & licks,
Basil
From: Rebel & Sharon | 8/4/11 at 9:21 am
Oh Dr Pia,
Thank you for this happy story. Go Trip Go! Enjoy your new mobility.
Your friendly Chihuahua pal,
Senor Rebel
From: delia | 8/4/11 at 9:52 am
Hallelujah! what a great story, it made my heart jump with joy...How wonderful that Social networking helped with donations and also the Vet...it's good to know there are good people in the word.
Trip is adorable and I'm so happy she has a fur-ever loving home with Stephen and family.
Thanks Dr. Pia for sharing this endearing story...
By the way, I'm working on a painting with two pit bulls at this time, and another right after this one...will be posting them on my blog when done.
have a great weekend!
~d
From: DDR & animallover jan | 8/4/11 at 10:48 am
Hi Dr. Pia, What a wonderful blog post again! That beautiful part pitbull is one lucky young dog to have such terrific new parents who saved her from being euthanized! She looks so darling and healthy now and I'm sure her parents are as happy as she is! These photos were fantastic! I am hoping that more and more people would take better care and always protect all animals! Hope you have a great weekend and see you next Thursday! Jan
From: Tessa | 8/4/11 at 12:51 pm
Now that is the way it should be for ALL of us dogs.
woos, Tessa
From: Jack and Friends | 8/4/11 at 4:10 pm
What an incredible story!!! This is so heart-warming to hear
Trip sounds like a true gem and a great representative of her breed.
From: Julie Guerry | 8/8/11 at 9:06 pm
Hello I am the Rossman. I am a pit-bull mixed breed that was rescued by my family in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I was left for dead and they took care of me. I am gentle and loving and very loyal. My mom wrote a story about me to share with children that second chances are good and that hope and courage can make you stronger. I am only aggressive about poundcake. I love this story about Trip thank you for sharing.
The Rossman
Julie (the mom)
From: Valerie | 8/9/11 at 2:29 pm
I am always encouraged when I see happy-ending stories like this one. Every dog should be given a chance to prove what wonderful pets they can be and Trip was given such a chance and proved himself!
It is such a shame the rap that pit bulls get; the behavior is not because of the breed but because of the owners' training. It actually speaks to their good qualities that they are so trainable and want to please their owners; it's not their fault if they are taught unpleasant/dangerous behaviors.
I wish there were never dogs needing rescuing, but until that day, I thank people like Trip's parents who give a needy dog a chance. They will be well rewarded with loyalty and love.
From: Cynthia Watson | 8/19/11 at 5:26 pm
What an uplifting story. I volunteer at a rescue that does NOT breed discriminate and it is so great to hear yet another positive testimonial to this breed's loving personality.