Bobbi and the Strays

The New York City shelters are full of pit bulls and pit mixes. Often it seems no matter how many we rescue or adopt out, they are just drops in the ocean. Rescues never seem to make  a dent.

Recently I heard of dogs being pulled off the euth list (which is always full of pit bulls and pit mixes) by rescues and then the rescue backing out because the dogs look “too pitty.” This breaks my heart. The animal’s last hope walked away because of how he looks, something the animal cannot help.

That is why for us, its not about the breed. We are an all breed rescue. We believe they are all entitled to a happy, healthy life in a loving, responsible home. Senior animals, anmals that need surgeries, newborn kittens that need to be bottle fed, animals that need rehabilitation, small dogs, big dogs- if they need help, we will do our best to help them. For us, its about nothing more than the life we can save.

Recently one of our volunteers received a phonecall about a dog abandoned in an apartment building in Queens. The dog was taken to Animal Control by the police. I received the dog’s Animal Control ID number and looked him up on the website. I found a blurry photo of a white and brown pit bull huddled in the corner, staring at the camera like a deer in headlights.

There was nothing about the photo that would attract an adopter. This is why when I went to pick the dog up from Animal Control the next days I was so surprised. Here was this absolutley gorgeous animal with the softest white fur, beautiful reddish-tan markings including an adorable patch over one eye. He was around 55 lbs with a big block head and stunning hazel eyes.

I was handed his leash and took him outside for a walk. He seemed a little nervous, anxious, uncertain of his circumstances. He sniffed here and there and then did his business. When we put him in the car, he climbed gracefully into the backseat and curled up in the corner, resting his head on the cushion with a sigh.

How easy, I thought, it would have been for this dog to slip through the cracks of the city’s animal sheltering system. He was one of many, many, many beautiful pit bulls in need. If someone hadn’t called us to let us know about him, this dog’s chances of making it out of Animal Control alive would have been very slim.

 When we arrived at the Bobbi and the Strays shelter, we took the dog, now named Scotch, out for a long walk around the area. Scotch took his time sniffing and exploring, putting each paw gingerly down on the soft freshly cut grass.  He was a little nervous still, as most new dogs are when we bring them to our shelter. They don’t know where they are, why they are there and I think most of them wonder, especially the ones coming out of Animal Control, if they are truly safe now.

We fixed his cage up with a soft comforter, some food and fresh water.  Scotch was very skinny so we would have to feed him extra till he reached a healthy weight. He also had missing fur on his neck and chest as if someone had a harness on him that was too tight. I scheduled him for a vet appointment to make sure.

I sat petting Scotch for a long time till it was time to leave the shelter for the night. When I closed the cage door, he cried, staring up at me with big hazel eyes. I couldn’t resist and went to pet him again. Not only did his tail wag back and forth in delight, but his whole body did a happy dance. “What a nice dog,” I thought. Thinking of how he would have been overlooked if we didn’t receive the phone call made me shake my head. There has to be a better way to educate the public about all the great dogs that are dying in our city shelters, all the great dogs like Scotch that just need someone to give them a chance.

I felt extremely happy that were able to help Scotch. Though he has a way to go still. His rescue journey isn’t over yet.  There will be many photos and videos taken, vet visits, adoption visits from prospective families and then once a match is made, there will be a home check and reference check, lots of follow ups to make sure everything is going smoothly. A lot of work has to be done still before Scotch is truly home.  I looked over my shoulder at him one more time before I left. His tail was still wagging.

It will be worth it. There is no doubt.

It may not have seemed like we have done a lot. Saving this one big headed pit bull among hundreds of others.  But we saved a life. And you can’t look into Scotch’s eyes and say that it does not matter. His whole world has changed. The world of the family that is lucky enough to adopt him will change too. And once he is adopted, it will open up the space to save one more from euthanasia at our city shelters.

I close my eyes and think about all the animals we have adopted out and how we get  updates of the animals lying in beds, playing in the yard or at the park from the wonderful people who adopted them. I imagine getting an update about Scotch, a photo of him lying in the grass, chewing on his favorite bone, all the worries and weight that he carried in these times of uncertainty are long gone.

Each life matters. It is as simple as that.

Adopt a stray, save a life.

To adopt or foster Scotch please email Adopt@bobbicares.org