StubbyDog of the Week: George
by StubbyDog Project on Monday, December 6, 2010 at 10:14am
By mom... Andrea
My heart was broken when I had to say goodbye to my Aida. She was a 15 ½ year old black lab that I had known since the day she was born. Being an avid dog lover, the idea of being without a dog was an impossibility. So in order to push away my grief, I quickly began my search for a new companion. Aida and I had won some training competitions so I felt confident that I could handle a more challenging dog, like a pit bull. I have always admired their strength, beauty, and loyalty from afar. Knowing their bad rap, I felt it my duty to show others that they are not all spawns of the devil. It was frightening to go to my local shelter and see that 75% of the dogs were pits. I was sad but also excited knowing I was going to bring one home.
My husband was less than thrilled to bring home a new, younger dog. He had a list of reasons why it was a bad idea. But George changed everything. His smile was bigger than any smile I had ever seen. He was between 3 and 4 yrs old so he was a more mature, relaxed pit. His tail wagged so much that he had rubbed it raw and bloody on the chain link fence. Anyone walking by was greeted with a wonderful wag and smile. Even Mike could not deny George’s charm and warmth.
So, two weeks after saying goodbye to my dear friend Aida, Mike and I were saying hello to our new pal George. As he raced throughout the house on his first day home, taking it all in, I realized he was lame on his right hind leg. We eventually discovered he had torn his ACL. It was no surprise to me. Once you spend any time with George you realize it’s all or nothing. He lives life to the fullest while still maintaining a certain sense of decorum. He flies down our stairs like superman, hitting the landing with all his might. And without any carpet at the time, traction was minimal.
Eventually word got out to the neighbors that there was a new dog in town, a nasty pit named George. Neighbors were nervous and skeptical. But by the end of the month everyone realized that George is nothing but a giant teddy bear. I sometimes will walk past neighbors I have not yet met that will shout out “Hi George!” as we walk by. All I can do is laugh.
I have had several friends come over for a visit who announce to me as they enter that they are not pitbull fans. And a few hours later, as they leave, they are kneeling on the ground, petting and kissing him as they say their good byes.
My next goal for George is therapy. Now that he has healed from his ACL surgery, we can start preparing to help others. He is such a people dog that I am hoping to help people heal with some George love.