We've named this dog NOAH.
He's with us for at least a week.
Noah was picked up on the side of a road by a very kind gentleman who called Animal control.
Since I'm the only one doing anything with the animals in the city at this time, I went and got him and put him in the shelter. The man felt he'd been struck by a car, possibly - said his back end was "shaky" when he picked him up.
I saw the old scuffs and scabs and didn't think much of it.
When I contacted City hall to let them know of the impound, and told them "it's a pit bull" I was told "Oh, just euthanize it now!"
Well I happen to know there's a legal 72hr. hold and besides, it breaks my heart to have to euthanize a dog, just because we have BSL in that town.
I decided to put out the word that he was available to a rescue, and I did just that.
However, no rescue was found that would take him! And as I interacted with him daily, I discovered he was a very sweet and submissive dog, and just really loved people, as we all know pit bulls do.
To me, his demeanor is that someone has been very heavy-handed with him. He's not snappy AT ALL of course (or he would not be with us) but when you go to pet, he flinches.
And I KNOW this area well enough to know that abuse is quite common, I've worked as an ACO for three years here and saw people smack and kick their dogs around more often than I can count.
Well a few days ago, on Saturday, Noah came to our place. I figured I'd spoil him up and love him up before the "big day" came on Monday (yesterday) and I had to euthanize him because of the BSL and the fact no other rescue would take him.
He also seemed to be injured in his back end, which became apparent when he came here, moreso than it had at the shelter. We didn't know what was wrong and he needed vet care.
At the 11th hour, so to speak, I managed to wangle a few donations so I could have him seen by a vet locally (they said he was only bruised, no fractures in pelvis or legs or back!) and I found a Seattle-based rescue to take him. She isn't even a pit rescue and she's taking him because she saw the same thing I did, in his eyes. Pure trust, and pure love, despite what he's been through at the hands of people.
Talk about a lucky dog! And a reminder of why I do rescue!
You see, there are dogs you think "Oh that dog probably wouldn't have made it, if it weren't for us". And then, there's dogs whose fate was literally in your hands, and because of you, he IS alive now. And that's Noah...he had a death sentence, 1st due to his breed, and 2nd due to his injuries. Because of 2 very wonderful people (one is on this board) I was able to get him in to the vet to determine why he is somewhat lame.
And because, despite a woeful inadequacy when dealing with a potentially DA dog, we still opened our home to him, he would not be here, literally.
And because another wonderful rescue woman, who isn't even a pit bull rescue, opened her heart and her door to him, he IS here, and he's going to get that second shot at live so many other dogs dream of.
Noah will be with us until, hopefully, Saturday, when he'll be altered and go to the new rescue.
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
