Hannah is another one of our good news/bad news pit bull stories.
First the bad news.
One of our foster families has a special place in their hearts for pit bulls. They know that so many pit bulls are unfairly denied a home because people simply misunderstand how wonderful they can be. Sure, there are vicious pit bulls. But that’s not the way they’re born. Pit bulls are born loving people and wanting to please them in any way possible. The problem is the owners who take advantage of the love pit bulls have for people. They use this love to get them to be vicious. Because of this, pit bulls have less than a great reputation. It takes special people to see through this and welcome pit bulls into their homes.
Now for Hannah’s good news story.
Hannah was turned in to the shelter by her owner. She was pregnant, alone and abandoned. She eventually had her puppies. Fortunately they all found homes. But Hannah remained in the shelter.
She was in the shelter for a long time. Too long. She had to get out.
The first bit of luck in Hannah’s life came from the shelter Director. She’s a wonderful woman with a warm heart who will do just about anything to find a dog a good home. She knew Hannah was in trouble. She couldn’t see such a great dog put down. So she called us.
Our pit bull-loving foster family took her in with pleasure. Hannah gladly went along, seeming to have an intuition that she was headed for something good. It was true, but she was in for a little surprise.
Although Hannah had lived in the shelter with other dogs for many months, she apparently thought she was headed for a home where she would be the only dog. Surprise!
When she arrived at her foster home, she was introduced to the two resident dogs – the true Kings of the Castle. This didn’t sit well with Hannah. She wanted the throne!
Apparently forgetting her immediate past residence, she walked into her foster home with a bit of a chip on her shoulder (can you imagine!). It was fairly clear to her that she couldn’t muscle her way onto the throne. So, using her pit bull intelligence, she decided to use affection to do the job.
Everywhere her foster parents went, she was right behind them. She was ready to plant a juicy kiss on their faces at a moment’s notice. She would hop on a lap at the slightest opportunity.
At bedtime she was always first to snuggle right up next to her Mom and Dad. Every once in a while, she was caught giving a little smirk to the other two dogs — a kind of “They love me more than they love you” look.
True to the pit bull temperment, she would do anything to prove her love for her foster parents. She was a friend, protector and true-blue companion.
Eventually all three dogs reached a mutual understanding that they were all loved, wanted and cared for. They all settled in.
As with many pit bulls, finding a home was not easy. Hannah’s foster days turned into foster weeks. Then foster months.
But as with all of the pit bulls we’ve fostered, she found a home.
Then there was the final problem. Hannah had been with her foster family for so long and had endeared herself to her family so deeply that parting was very difficult. She spent a one week trial period with her new family. Her foster family agonized for the entire week. Can they give her up? Is this the “perfect” family for their perfect dog? Are they doing the right thing?
It was time to go to the new home and make the final decision. The foster family didn’t know exactly how to make the decision, so they offered up a little prayer, asking for “a sign”.
The foster Dad became so attached to Hannah, he couldn’t go. He couldn’t bear to leave her again. So the foster Mom went to Hannah’s new home alone, still hoping for a clear sign telling her what to do.
She rang the bell and was welcomed in. There was Hannah. As soon as she saw her foster Mom, she ran across the room, jumped up and down licking, licking, licking.
And then the foster Mom’s prayer was answered. After giving her foster Mom a warm, satifying welcome — kind of saying “Thanks for all you did to save my life and give me a chance” — she pranced across the room and sat down right next to her new family. It was clear that she was saying “I’m fine. These are good people. I’ll be happy here. You go save another dog.”
The adoption forms were filled out and signed. Hannah was theirs.
There was one last bit of business to take care of. Hannah’s foster Dad was still painfully in love with her. He wanted to be sure that no harm ever came to Hannah. So he prepared a “doggie living will”. It required Hannah’s new parents to call him if there was ever any question about having to end Hannah’s life for whatever reason; illness, age, injury…whatever. He asked the new parents to sign it.
In a truly touching moment, Hannah’s new parents signed the form, fully understanding what it meant. “Nothing will ever happen to Hannah, I assure you” were their final words.
Hannah is happy as can be in her new home. Lots of love, lots of fun and a whole new chance at life.
