Love-a-Bull Mutts Series: Lennox (part 3)

Breed Specific Legislation or "BSL" is prevalent worldwide, resulting in stereotypes and unnecessary euthanasia of some beautiful, healthy dogs. Our Love-a-Bull Mutts Series will focus on shedding light on the truth about "Bully Breeds" such as American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers.

By Alicia

After Lennox settled in with me, I figured I should probably start introducing him to the things that dogs usually encounter in homes, like cats and toys. I left his basket muzzle on just in case, and brought the cat in to see him. Much to my surprise, he couldn't have cared less!  I think he stared at one for a second or two so I corrected him - and that is all she wrote.  I wish I would have had my camera when they first met though; I think my poor cat went flying back 20 feet because he thought he was sharing a basement with Hannibal Lector!

Lennox didn't need his Hannibal Lector costume
after all! He likes cats.

The next step was letting my dog Franklin see him for the first time.  Up until now, they have just been able to smell each other's business in the yard.  Today the boys were tied outside so they could see each other in person and put a face to the smell.  What surprised me most was that Franklin was the one who has to learn some manners!  I was excited that their first meeting went well!

Lennox had been tied up for long periods of time, but that only happened as recently as April. He was adjusting quite well to being a permanent indoor dog- no accidents or anything! I was amazed at how quickly he turned around; it really shows that dogs are indeed a selfless animal, and that with a little bit of love any dog can become a wonderful new addition to a family.

Lennox did an excellent job when I took him to the vet. This was actually the first time that someone had taken him to a clinic, and by how calm he was I’m sure no one else there knew he was a first timer. I put his muzzle on and in we went - and in a matter of minutes, we had people gathering around to hear his story!  There were a couple of cats that were brought in within a kennel, and he gave them a curious sniff and that was it.  I picked him up after work and all day there were lots of dogs passing by his crate and the girls in the back said he didn't bother with them at all; he even sat when they opened his door to bring him out of his crate. 

        

He came home with some medications and a prescription for free choice food.  I had been feeding him small meals four times a day - tonight however, he finished up a couple bowls of food.  I turned his bowl upside down and filled it up so that he wouldn't be able to gorge his food.  When I checked on him a couple hours later, his little tummy had already rounded out a bit and there was still food left in his bowl. 

Lennox is now happy in his forever home, being the “Love-a-Bull, Hug-a-Bull, Ador-a-Bull” guy we all knew he could be. Congratulations on finding your family, big guy! We wish you many years full of love.

Love-a-Bull Mutts Series: Lennox (Part 1)

          Breed Specific Legislation or "BSL" is prevalent worldwide, resulting in stereotypes and unnecessary euthanasia of some beautiful, healthy dogs. Our Love-a-Bull Mutts Series will focus on shedding light on the truth about "Bully Breeds" such as American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers. 

By Alicia

         A few months ago, I saw a beautiful pit bull with scars on his face in the back of a pick up truck in the grocery store parking lot.  No leash, no crate, he was calmly sitting and observing his surroundings.  When his family came out of the store I went up and complimented on how well behaved his dog was.  That is how I met Tennessee and his dog Tank.  I asked about his scars and he said that they live on a reserve and the scars were from fighting with the stray dogs.  I gave him my card and said that anytime he needed help with the animals out there to give me a call, I would do what I could.

         Fast forward to August 24^th, when out of the blue I received a text from someone saying that Tennessee gave them my number.  Do I want their pit bull Kash? I asked for the back story on the dog, and it turned out he was getting aggressive - killing other dogs.  I was immediately taken aback and worried, but they called me for help and I couldn't say no just because of the situation. I decided I would help them by taking the dog - telling them if I can't help him, he may be euthanized. “It’s ok if he's put down!” was the heartbreaking reply.  At least she called me - she could have easily given him away or had him disposed of - I was thankful for that.

The car where Lennox spent most of his time.

         That night I couldn't stop thinking about what I was going to do.  I had just put to sleep my 13-year-old pit bull, Duck, just 6 weeks ago.  I have a soft spot for pit bulls, no doubt about it, but I didn’t want to risk any other animal getting hurt, so I decided by morning that I would go get Kash (now Lennox) and get him put to sleep.  I planned to take food and water with me so he would go with a full tummy and at least know some semblance of care and affection.

         On Saturday morning my mom and I went to pick Lennox up.  We met his owner and followed her to her house and we were greeted with three dogs relaxing in the yard.  Right away I knew which one was Kash; he had to be the older guy.  I got out of the car and the dogs sauntered over to greet me. Their owner quickly introduced them to me as Diamond and Jumbo. She told me that she had been working away from home all week so Lennox was tied up to a car over to the side of where we were standing. She said that she would come home find “lots of dead dogs everywhere.”  (As it happens, these were packs of feral dogs against whom Lennox had to defend himself… more on that later!) Lennox was usually in the house with them, but she was working too much now.  As it turned out, Jumbo (now Wicca) and Diamond were actually owned by her sister, who was willing to surrender Wicca, the German Shepherd x Boxer, but wanted to keep Diamond.

   

Off to our new home!

         His former owner leaned over to pick up Lennox one last time, and gave him a hug and a kiss before loading him into the kennel in my van.  While she was filling out the surrender document, I opened up a can of food for Diamond and Wicca, who took it eagerly from my fingers - no growling! By this time I had made up a loop from a leash and was ready to load Lennox up into the van. I asked the owner for some help, and a beautiful thing happened- she leaned over and started petting him for the first time in his life. I took this as a sign that I did the right thing by coming out to rescue them- now they could start learning what it meant to be loved and cared for like a dog should be.  

Stay tuned for part 2- Lennox heads to his new home!