Pitbull rescue from side of road

alright, so I was coming home tonight from an event I had earlier today in Houston, and all of a sudden a dog pops up in my headlights as I'm driving down a major highway and I nearly missed what I thought was a baby deer. After coming to a stop, I open the door and this beautiful brendle female pit slowly walks up to my door with no tags and tail waving like no other. I couldn't leave her there so I tap my hands on my lap and she instantly puts her front paws up on my door sill and I look her over a bit. She seemed really sweet and really confused, and handled often. So I pat my lap again and she slowly crawls in the car and sits in my female friends lap for the rest of the drive back to college station. We look her over a bit and it seems as though she's gotten in a bit of a fight as she's bleeding a bit from her muzzle but not too bad. We stopped by walmart and got a collar, food, leash and some shampoo to clean her off. Her heart rate and breathing seem normal, probably about a year old and had a litter not too long ago as her teets are distended still, but no milk in them, has a healthy weight and the wounds arnt bad enough to require immediate veterinary care so I will keep her till monday when I take her to the vet to get checked out, and see if she has a micro-chip, and will keep her as long as I'm capable or she finds her home. I am trying so hard not to get too attached, but she's just a doll. the entire drive back she just laid there and went to sleep without a fuss. For the time being I've nick-named her baby and she's gettin a helluva lot of personnal attention. I am hoping I can find the owners, but if not she's going to a rescue as I sadly cannot keep her in my current living conditions. She's currently in the bathroom with her paws up on the sink looking at herself in the mirror. I dont have a working camera at this time but will most definitly get some pictures up ASAP. Sorry if this isn't too coherent as I'm sorta busy with the gal...

i dont want her to go... this is gonna be a heartbreaker i can tell that much already.

That's sad that she was like that. I think she had a good owner if she was that friendly and calm around people. You should find a way to post something in Houston (or where ever you found her) I'm sure her family misses her.

As for you, I know it will be hard to let her go, and from the way you make it sound, it makes me sad you can't keep her :( But giving her back will probably make some family very happy. When I lost my dog, I was hysterical. I am so happy the people called me.

I have a chihuahua, and somehow he got on the other side of town and followed some first grader home(he loves kids) But I couldn't have been happier when they called. I was crying before, but when they called I cried even harder because I was happy.

oh yea, I'm getting the word out trying to find her owners as she seems very well taken care of and her claws were even clipped rather recently. And shes staying out of a shelter b/c I dont her put down since she's a pure bred pit with dog fight cuts. Now she's just sittin in my lap with her face off in her food bowl. She's not even food protective, which is a very good sign that she has a loving home somewhere and that she just managed to get out somehow.

lucky girl! most people would've just left her there! that'll suck to give her up but at least u helped!

well, i made her a bed out of old blankets last night for her to sleep on, and she found them herself and laid there while I was up and about, but once I laid down for bed she started wimpering and although she never got up, you could tell she didnt want to be alone, and since I'm a major sucker, I put down some old blankets on my bed (in case the bleeding started back up again) and she came and slept with me. From the way she acted I dont think this was the first time she's slept with someone as she curled up next to me and went to sleep, and waited for me to get up this morning before she hopped down to take a few bites from her food bowl before I took her downstairs to go potty. The more I'm with her, the more I know that I have to find her family as I know they must miss this girl, and that they probably shouldnt be too hard to find if they're looking for her as well.

so many pits out there, looking for good homes, after being let go...........i hope this is not the case in this situation, good thing you did there Ben

your than man!

get us some pix

Ben, you rock for taking this girl on, she sounds like an absolute love. :-)

1. Call animal control for the area she was found and report that you found her. You don't need to turn her in, just leave a description.

2. List her here: www.fidofinder.com

3. Post her up on Craigslist, Livejournal, Myspace, etc.

4. Get in touch with local rescue groups and just let them know that she's been found so they can be alert for calls.

5. Do the same thing with area vets and pet stores.

6. Check with the local newspaper...many of them run Lost/Found pet ads for free.

Don't put her picture up in any of the ads. Anybody wanting a fighting pit could claim her. Just put up a description ("Brindle pitbull found on X road, nearest landmark, etc") and let them take the initiative. If anybody calls to claim her, make them describe the dog's markings, sex, etc. Don't give them any hints. People suck, and a lot of pit people are the worst. I've had people try to claim dogs they couldn't describe before, and threaten violence when I declined to turn the dog over to them. I'm sorry, but if it's a beloved pet then the owner should be able to describe it in more detail than "Uh, it's kinda brownish".

If she is that loved, they will be looking for her. If they're not looking for her, they don't deserve to get her back.

Oh, and be very careful putting her around other dogs. A dog with bite wounds on its face is one that was engaged in the fight, and you can't be too careful with pits. You don't need the legal headache if she hurts somebody else's dog.

Thanks Jess, will do!

Ben that was so sweet of you to stop and help her! I hope that she does have a loving family somewhere, and that you are able to find them if she does. Jess gave you some great advice on how to help find her family. If by chance you don't find them I would definitely keep her out of a shelter. She just seems to sweet and nice not to have someone to love her, and I just don't think that she would have a good chance in a shelter (if any chance at all). Good luck finding her family. :gj:

any news Ben? whats the scoop?

Well... I took her with me to the Austin reptile show today and had a friend watch her while I was busy meetin some of y'all BP.netters. Overall, she's not bleeding from her mouth so much today, although there are a few signs of infection such as puss and some green discharge. So I just used a warm listerine compress to ease some of the swelling and kill some of the bacteria in her gash before tomorrow when the vets are open up. she'll also go get scanned for a microchip, have a gash in her lower lip sutured, get some antibiotics and I'll get the numbers of the vets and animal shelters in the area that I picked her up from. If I am not able to find her original home, I already have a huge line of people wanting her because they too got caught up in her sweet face and sweet attitude, so I dont think rehoming her will be an issue, I just am gonna ask that the vet bills I incur tomorrow get repaid.

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Originally Posted by Gooseman

If I am not able to find her original home, I already have a huge line of people wanting her because they too got caught up in her sweet face and sweet attitude, so I dont think rehoming her will be an issue

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thats great news!

Yes it is! I hope everything turns out well! :gj:

Well, we went to the vet today, and all is good, everything considered. She doesn't have a microchip in, so thats a bummer, We managed to get some antibiotics for the cuts, and if a few of her sores around her neck dont go away by then, he'll perform a scrapping next week to see whats up them. The vet also found a few more old scars underneath her coat and believes that she might have been fought once or twice before, though not brutally cut up either time. We've also given information to some rescues and vets in the area, and one of them even gave me a coupon for a free adoption kit from PETCO. One of the rescues that we talked to believed she might have been dumped given the location we found her... My friend and I went to PETCO later to pick up some more stuff for her, and she seemed interested in the other dogs, but not aggressive. However, we arn't giving her the chance to get in another fight, but it was good seeing her in a playful mood in the presence of some yippy little lap dogs. As she heals, she is also getting more alert and a wee bit skittish. She's still following us around by the heels wanting as much attention as possible, but some noises now that she used to just sleep through seem to spook her a bit. But her loving demeaner hasn't changed in the least.

If we are not able to find her original owners, it's going to be really tough to give her up to a new home. It's just... I don't believe it's right for me to keep her couped up most of the day in a apartment that has breed restrictions against pits. As much as I believe those laws to be unjust, keeping her in a way that she wouldnt be found just wouldnt be right. So I'm going to have to find her a new home eventually... :(

No you're right Ben it wouldn't be fair to her to have to sneak her in and out and break the rules there. If you want to keep her you're only option may be to move. If not, then perhaps a pitbull rescue can help with checking her for temperment issues and rehoming her. It's awful that as much as she might have been loved they allowed her to fight, so that's no love at all really. Poor dog. She sounds very loving in nature so I hope you can come to a good resolution with her needing a home either with you or some other responsible person.

yup, there's no arguing that... I talked to the management and they said given the circumstances I can have her around for a week or two. But legally if a complaint is filed, or well, they decide enough time has passed, or whatnot, she needs to be gone immediatly, because I'm not supposed to have her in the first place. So that's pretty cool I guess.

Alright guys, here are some pics I promised.

I know it didn't show up very well, but those stains on my jacket came from her mouth bleeding on me on the drive back to College Station. The sun glare blotted most of it out... I wish the washer would do the same. lol
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...0/100_1006.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...0/100_1003.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...0/100_1002.jpg

And of side note... I just signed a new lease on the apartment, starting Jan 1, and hooray, if the original owners do not find her... for a fee of $300 I can keep a breed restricted dog anyways. So she might be staying with me for good. I'm still not incredibly happy about her having to be inside a small apartment while I'm in class, however, if she continues as is, all I have to do is take her for a good run and she's out cold the rest of the day. So, we'll see about that as the time comes.

Aww Ben She looks like a little sweetie!

I can totally see the cut under her chin :hug:

Did the vet say how old she might be? (You might have already posted it, but I don't remember reading it :oops: ) She looks TINY compared to you in that first pic!

I really hope it works out and you get to keep her :clap:

so cool Ben! She is very pretty! :wuv:

I am glad to hear you may get to keep her!

She looks like she wants to be with you forevra!

:gj:

brindles are my favorite!

Awwww Ben! She's a beauty! Looks to me like she thinks your apartment is paradise! I think she'd be very happy with you and someday y'all will move into a bigger place together! ;)

Thats great news Ben! She does have a very sweet face that just gives the "hug me" vibe. :)

Ben she looks great! I'm a sucker for brindle also! she's looks nice and comfortable in your bed already!

Thnx everyone for the compliments!

Susan, the vet believes she may be only a year and a half old and has already had her first litter a few months ago. And yea, for a pit, I'd say she's still quite small in person.

Judy, that's not my apartment... yet. Come January 1, I will be moving in and out of the dorms. Finally get to have all my animals back!

Ben as long as you can make time for a good long run in the morning (maybe on a bike or rollerblades even) she should poop out for the rest of the day. You might want to grab a large dog crate for her to make sure she doesn't destroy anything in your place while you're gone. Test her by leaving for short periods to see how she acts before you have to leave her alone all day.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Ben as long as you can make time for a good long run in the morning (maybe on a bike or rollerblades even) she should poop out for the rest of the day. You might want to grab a large dog crate for her to make sure she doesn't destroy anything in your place while you're gone. Test her by leaving for short periods to see how she acts before you have to leave her alone all day.

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Yup. I go for a three mile run around campus every morning, and I plan on taking her with me starting in the next few days if she seems up to it. Of course I'm gonna be careful to not over strain her as I doubt shes ever been "ran" before so 3 miles might over do it. But yea, she'll get her exercise.

We left her this morning for about 50 minutes as we went to class (although there were people home to make sure nothing too bad happened), and when we came back we found she had found her way up to the bathroom counter and spilled a fresh 8 lb bag of food all over the place. However, spill aside, by walking barefoot in the bathroom you could tell she'd been sitting by the door most of the time, as there was a big ole' warm spot were we found her. I've sorta gone a little overboard at PETCO making sure she has everything necessary for her stay with us (for however long), but have decided that a good crate may be a good investment, as I'm not brave/dumb enough to give her free reign of the apartment alone.

Ben, check our local newspaper, craigslist and so forth. You may well find some excellent deals on good, used crates. Heck if all else fails call the pitbull rescue folks and ask them if they know of anyone with a used crate to do you until you can get one of your own. I swear by crating for young dogs or dogs you don't know how they will do if left unattended. Some dogs even like their crates to be just left open and they will willingly crate themselves when they want the privacy of their "den".

Thats a brilliant idea... I mean, I've held off the crate a bit as another $100 on top of the $300+ already spent at vet and getting food and such, seems a little excess when the bathroom works quite well (after removing chemicals and bags of dog food lol). But yea, a cheap used crate sounds like a good idea, as I'm sure I can probably find one for a good price.

That's the way I'd go. I've seen dogs panic in a closed bathroom and pretty much go through the door. I also had a dog that I put in the bathroom just for a bit while I did something, manage to jump and flip on the tap. Might not have been a problem if the sink wasn't plugged at the time and the landlord hadn't been by to fix the darn thing and....well....it was a lot of fun for a very wet dog let me tell you!

Crates rock!

There are often crates on Craigslist...I see them there every few days. Crating is awesome, a real lifesaver in apartments where your security deposit is at stake.


She looks gorgeous. I'm betting she's not pure pit, either. Her head shape is all wrong. She seems quite happy to settle in with you. :-)

UPDATE: Well, I've called every vet, rescue and shelter around Waller, Tx where she was picked up, and none of them have heard anything about a missing pit, but I'll keep my ears open for awhile just in case. But the overwhelming number of reactions I've gotten from these groups/people is that she was most likely a dump given her smallish size, fighting scars, and timid nature. They mostly seem to believe that she just wasn't up to par in their eyes as to what they're looking for in a pit/pit-mix. I mean... she's not really into any form of playing that could be construed as aggressive playing. She just tucks tail and shys away if you show any more aggression than hugs and backrubs... But hey... I can deal with that.

ahhhhhhh i'm speechless and so very proud of you ben.

I'm with Joanna all the way on the crate training. My youngest Pit Bull loves her crate. I'd never trust her alone in the house.

The found pup is a very beautiful girl!! I'm thinking she is not full Pit, either. She looks almost as though she may be part boxer (i'm looking at my boxer's head compared to hers). Her personality sounds awesome, though. I mean, that's terrible that she's timid. Makes one wonder what treatment she may have received. But, my German Shepherd mutt was abused in the past, and is totally timid and very non-confrontational. Even though it breaks my heart to think about what her ex-owners may have done, she is totally laid-back and is a great dog. She's even confident enough to bark at people to protect the house, now (it's been 3 years or so). Good luck with your girl! Those brindle stripes steal my heart every time. :D

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Originally Posted by Gooseman

UPDATE: Well, I've called every vet, rescue and shelter around Waller, Tx where she was picked up, and none of them have heard anything about a missing pit, but I'll keep my ears open for awhile just in case. But the overwhelming number of reactions I've gotten from these groups/people is that she was most likely a dump given her smallish size, fighting scars, and timid nature. They mostly seem to believe that she just wasn't up to par in their eyes as to what they're looking for in a pit/pit-mix. I mean... she's not really into any form of playing that could be construed as aggressive playing. She just tucks tail and shys away if you show any more aggression than hugs and backrubs... But hey... I can deal with that.

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Just make sure that timidness doesn't turn into aggression out of fear. Start introducing her to EVERYONE when you have her out and about, and give lots of treats for socialable behavior. You do NOT want a shy anxious pitbull...they are people dogs...

She's a beaut. Good luck with her Ben!

my dog annabella is timid and she's never been abused a single second of her life. so it's not always a sign of abuse... sometimes it's simply personality :)

i love that pic of you and her sleeping ben... ahhhhhhhhh

edited to add: i agree with you jason 100% we were posting at the same time LOL

Aleesha, sorry. I should have stated that I definitely didn't mean she was absolutely abused. :) I just meant it is a possibility, because I know my girl was (i witnessed some of it with her second owner, unfortunately, i am her 4th). My brother had a pit bull that had a timid personality, and never endured any abused, ever. I know it can be personality. :) Again, I apologize. I didn't mean *all* timid dogs have been abused, at all. Just like people, we all have our own personalities.

She loves people, and is not afraid to come up to anyone. Just any sort of rough housing sends her running for the hills. We spent and about an hour today wandering Petco and she made many a friend. I kept a healthy distance between her and other four-legged friends, however she would give a good playful tug in their direction every time. I mean, as long as you dont actively present yourself as a threat to her, she's a super friendly large pup.

Here are a few more pics.. some of them show the big gash on the side of her lower jaw.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...0/100_1036.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...0/100_1034.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...0/100_1032.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...0/100_1029.jpg

Kudos on rescueing her! You have a great looking girl there. She seems content to stay with you forever. Hope it works out for both of you.:gj:

nice pics... of both your new girls!!!

What a gorgeous happy looking pup. :-) Thanks for the updated pics.

Aww Ben, her pics are adorable and she looks like she absolutely adores you!! And it has been addressed by others already, but I think that she would be fine in an apartment, especially if she gets to where she is taking those 3 mile runs with you. Good luck with everything, I am hoping now that no one comes to claim her (especially if it is looking more and more like she was dumped:().

Tnx everyone for the compliments. I've been doing a bit of research and I am coming to agreement that she is not of pure breeding. From some of the pics I've seen I'm thinking she's something like 75% pit, 25% boxer. Although of course I'm not certain, thats just the impression I'm getting. She loves ALMOST everyone... I've found that she has a fear for heavy-set african americans. I first noticed this when I was walking her and I ran across Javorski Lane, a star football player here at A&M and she went nutso trying to get away from him. On a hunch I called a friend of mine, who's also heavy-set and african american, and she didn't like his presence much either. She has no problem with any other people she's been in contact with since I've obtained her, including average sized african americans, or heavy-set white people... So I'm thinking there may be some history there... any advice?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gooseman

Tnx everyone for the compliments. I've been doing a bit of research and I am coming to agreement that she is not of pure breeding. From some of the pics I've seen I'm thinking she's something like 75% pit, 25% boxer. Although of course I'm not certain, thats just the impression I'm getting. She loves ALMOST everyone... I've found that she has a fear for heavy-set african americans. I first noticed this when I was walking her and I ran across Javorski Lane, a star football player here at A&M and she went nutso trying to get away from him. On a hunch I called a friend of mine, who's also heavy-set and african american, and she didn't like his presence much either. She has no problem with any other people she's been in contact with since I've obtained her, including average sized african americans, or heavy-set white people... So I'm thinking there may be some history there... any advice?

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Ben from looking at the pics of her i would say Staff/pit mix.My male that i had looked exactly like her but a fawn coloring :gj:.I would suggest you have your freind come over and just ignore her at first.I would let her come to him when she feels that he is not someone whom is going to hurt her.Of course you be close by just incase she snaps at him.Once again good job :gj:

Thnx Joe, will try again.

Everytime I take a closer look at her, I notice more and more stuff that I makes me feel as though she wasn't taken extremely well care of. As previously noted, I have found several old scars from past encounters, however I am now in doubt as to her age exactly. The vet pinned her at about a 1.5 years due to her size, and that she's already had a litter. However... I've looked at her teeth a bit closer and it looks as though she doesnt have all her molars in yet... which she should have by 7 months of age. But then again... She shouldnt have been able to get pregnant until a absolute minimum of 6 months of age, let alone give birth, wean off, and have milkless teets before getting all her molars right? We also believe that she lived on concrete as her feet pads are worn smooth, and is afraid of a leash. As well as never spent much time the inside of a house as now that she's getting better... she seems uncomfortable indoors. When we take her inside now she'll pin her ears back and tuck her tail between her legs. She'll calm down after awhile, but it's that initial action that draws my attention.

When it's all said and done, she's not a problem at all and i guess I'm continuing to update yall as I sorta wanna put it down the developments in writing as they happen and I figure this is as close to a journal as I'll get.

P.S. We've renamed her Maddie

Ben, here is a dental chart for dogs:

http://www.lbah.com/images/dental/dentalchart.jpg

Also, it's not uncommon for dogs to just not develop the right number of teeth. Sometimes tooth buds simply aren't formed, other times they undergo damage preventing normal tooth development. It's more accurate to go by the length of the canines and premolars, but at the very best it's just a rough guess.

She looks like a fully mature animal to me based on your pictures, and that correlates with her history.

Maddie's a very lucky girl to have you and your girlfriend to love and help her, Ben.

I believe in following Cesar Milan's view of fear in dogs. Don't fuss over them, don't baby them, it only reinforces the fear. Help them face the fear with calm leadership, when they accept and move beyond...then love them up. Robin works with assistance dogs and this is how they help them deal with fears like automatic doors, etc. I remember her telling me a story a couple of years back about a pup that was afraid of those doors and how she stood outside the store with that dog while the doors opened and closed, basically until the dog realized there was just nothing at all scary there. I know Robin's calm leadership methods helped that dog go on to a life of helpful and non-fearful service to it's human partner. :)

Years ago I had a Lab that was abused before I got her. She showed particular intense fear of men with dark hair and beards. What we did was have a friend that had that look come over every day for awhile. He always brought Shadow treats, he even wore one of my husband's used sweatshirts to transfer a scent that meant "nice human" to Shadow. Him being around so much, bringing goodies all the time, smelling like "Dad"....well eventually he became Shad's favorite visitor. We didn't make a big fuss when he arrived, so as not to excite her, just very much "oh look he's here and he's got treats, come on in and visit" so he just became over time a good part of her life and she lost that fear completely. We also didn't make her approach him, but let's be honest, a treat like a juice bit of leftover steak....makes any dog love ya! LOL

i am A DOG WHISPERER. i tivo every episode and sit the kids down and we watch them all. we've learned so much from watching him over and over and over and over again.

i totally agree with jo... by you being a confident leader she will be calm and submissive around the things which bother her.

we used his methods to introduce kayla to annabella and i am soooo impressed with the relationship these two have. it hasn't even been a week yet, (got her saturday) but they are excellent mates.

do you watch the show ben? perhaps take in some episodes... it's truly amazing what he can do with owners... cause it's the owners who need to be trained LOL not the dogs.

Well... after looking at the situation with a realistic eye... I had come to the conclusion that I cannot afford to keep her along with the rest of my animals. The exact expenses are manageable, however if an emergent need for a vet arose, I could not garuntee I'd have the finances for the trip. So I found a new home for her in the form of an old HS friend who has the means who'll take her off my hands next thursday. I'm sad...

i'm sad with you. will you get to see her?