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Love Like a Dog

by Anne Calcagno

Giveaway ends March 01, 2011.

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Iggy

My best guess is that Iggy is a Pit Bull, Mastiff and American Bulldog mix, with perhaps a smattering of Dogo Argentino. His parents were picked up by Dog Control off the streets of Manhattan. His dad was euthanized immediately, which unfortunately, is not uncommon for dogs that fall under the category, Pit Bull, or Pit Bull cross … His pregnant mom, China, was spared. Fortunately, after she gave birth to her pups, they were all taken in by a Pit Bull Rescue group.

We first learned about Iggy through the Pit Bull Rescue’s website. After completing their adoption application we waited patiently and watched him grow through the photographs that were updated online every week. Iggy remained our favorite in the pictures, and when the pups were 8 weeks old, all the potential adopters gathered to meet them at the official, “puppy party.” We fell in love with him immediately – the biggest and mushiest of them all, Iggy was even cuter in real life. A week later, he was delivered to our house for a “house check,” we passed, he stayed, and the most amazing human – dog bonds ever, began to form.

Iggy quickly grew to be my full time, and official “co-pilot” and super model extraordinaire... His dashing good looks coupled with and his stoic, kind, tolerant, understanding and comical nature, are what inspired me to become an advocate for Pit Bulls and ultimately, to start a pet photography business.

Iggy loves to play with his humans companions, his 3 dog siblings, Taiho, Zoey and Maya, the cat that raised (brainwashed) him, Lukas, and his other cat friend, Jengo. He works hard on the family farm, protecting the chickens from predators and the field, from…. crows? (well, sometimes he takes his job a little too far!) 

Iggy is my soul dog. I want to thank him for everything he’s brought to our lives. For the special “Iggy moments” he shares with us all, where he stands up and hugs us and looks DEEP into our eyes until our souls connect…. For the huge effort he puts into communicating his thoughts at all times, through his countless facial expressions, his yodeling, demand barking, subtle gestures, and kisses…. For the games he plays with his 9 year old human sister and her friends, or for how he patiently stands guard by them when they play outside…. For how he tries to save them when they’re swimming, even if they don’t need saving…. For how he places his hand around his mom’s shoulder and his cheek against hers, when they go out for their daily adventures in the car, and for just plain being Iggy.

-Lisa Fishler
Special Thanks to The Unexpected Pit Bull for sharing this story!

Achilles

All my life I wanted a dog but my parents never gave in. So when I was 27 and had the means and lifestyle to properly care for a dog, I went down to the St. Petersburg Animal Services with my boyfriend and niece (who would have to approve of any dog I got). Even though I've always wanted a furry friend, this was an impulsive decision.


There were so many dogs to choose from that day. But Achilles reminded my boyfriend of a pitbull he was forced to put down at the Humane Society he had worked at for years due to advanced heartworm (RIP Snow Bear). Initially, the guard let us see him and told us all the traditional warnings about pitbulls (home owners insurance, etc.) but then she basically suggested that we would need to be abusive to control him. I blew her off but my niece was now scared to touch Achilles.

Luckily, one of the caretakers came out and saw Achilles. She raved about him...told us he was her favorite and took him out first every morning because he didn't potty in his cage. She gave us a couple tips on his specific tendencies and we had to have him. Plus, he was 50% off...15 whole dollars. ;-) We had to wait a few days to get him fixed but we loved him immediately. It took a few months for him to love us back...he's one of those stubborn, independent types.
I can honestly say that getting Achilles is one of the best things that has every happened to our family!!


-Michelle

Radar Love

My husband and I had recently put our dog Danger down to sleep. It was a hard situation for the both of us and we were not used to coming home to an empty house.

Then, we found Astro (the black dog), brought him home and fell in love with him immediately! We were also told that there was a "girl version" of him, named Emma (tan dog), available at the Sunnyslope location being released from foster care. We called and had a hold put on her for us while she was being spayed and then we got the call! My Aunt, myself and Astro went down to do the introduction and the 2 have been inseparable ever since.

We have never had more than 1 dog at a time so this was new for us. The relationship that Starla (previously named Emma) and Astro have is unbelievable! They love each other and take care of each other in the best way. They both fell into our lives, and each others right at the perfect time.

- Joleene & Jason