Pit Stops by Michelle Sathe

Author:Michelle Sathe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Say the Words Press
Published: 2010-06-12T16:00:00+00:00

Meeting Georgia and John Garcia at Best Friends

“They had been products of a stressful environment before, so now they were just doing what came naturally,” Garcia said. “I think they knew we were here to help.”

Staffed with five full-time trainers, kennel management, and countless volunteers, Dogtown is a series of 37 octagon-shaped buildings set on vast acreage at the sanctuary. Each individual run has a weatherproof enclosure with a doggy door that leads to a large, fenced outdoor area. Also at Dogtown is the Best Friends veterinary clinic, where the sanctuary’s approximately 2,000 animals (horses, pigs, birds, cats, dogs, and some wildlife) are treated and the public is offered low-cost spaying and neutering.

Several of the Vicktory dogs suffered from medical ailments, usually a result of bad breeding or neglect, that Garcia felt contributed to their temperament issues. Denzel, a handsome black male with white swirls on his chest, almost died during a tooth extraction when he wouldn’t stop bleeding from a disorder that thinned his blood. Others had to have knee replacements due to dysplasia.

“You know how when humans don’t feel well, they’re snappy? It’s the same thing with dogs,” Garcia said.

The Vicktory dogs were also DNA tested to determine their lineage. To Garcia’s surprise, most of the dogs were found to be mixes, showing secondary or just trace amounts of American Pit Bull Terrier; only Layla, Georgia, and Ray Ray were primarily purebred pit bulls.

While many of Dogtown’s residents are paired with other dogs, the Vicktory dogs were initially kept separated due to their history. Daily reports began on the dogs activities and behaviors, which included learning how to walk on a leash, going for car rides into town, and socializing with humans, often through overnight stays with staff.

Slowly, they also became socialized with other dogs through gradual introductions. Today, many live in pairs, though some, like Georgia, still prefer their space. The staff has worked with Georgia so that she can now tolerate other dogs within leash distance, rather than wanting to attack from a hundred yards away, as was her nature when she arrived at Best Friends.

To be considered for adoption, per court order, the Vicktory dogs have to be in foster care with the potential adopter for six months and acquire their Canine Good Citizen certification during that time. Extensive background checks are also required on the adopters.

Halle, a pert, pouty black female, was the first Vicktory dog to find her forever home. She now shares couch time with Tacoma, another Best Friends bully rescue, and their human mom Traci (last names and locations of Vicktory dog adopters are held in confidence). Photos show Tacoma with his arm protectively curled around Halle, who snuggles deep into his barrel chest.

Traci educates her community about pit bulls by taking the pair out and setting up a small sitting area with signs that read, “Would you like to pet me and learn more about me? Please just ask.”

To get ready for his family, Handsome Dan, a buff tan male,

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