The story below came to me via one of the many animal rescue email lists of which I am a member. Please take this opportunity, whether you’re snuggled up to your pittie cuddle buddy or prefer to remain on the other side of the fence from a Pit Bull, to put your stereotypes aside and read this story for what it truly is – A Love Story.
I am a Pennsylvania State Dog Warden and I received a call concerning two strays that showed up on a front porch early one morning.
When I got there, this is who greeted me: A female Pit Bull and a male Chihuahua .. The Chihuahua was guarding the Pit Bull!!!
They looked to have been on their own for a while. The Chihuahua was missing fur and the Pit Bull had an injured paw. I was able to slip a leash over the Pit Bull and walk her into a cage and put her in my truck.
However, the Chihuahua would not allow me to get near him but would not leave the Pit Bull behind…….So I thought of a plan to get the Chihuahua into my truck.
My first option was to make a ramp by using a board.
This proved to be a bit too challenging for the little guy. I found a stool and it worked like a charm! Perfect! He was in!
Once on the tailgate though, the Chihuahua would not let me get near without putting up a fuss! Every time I neared, he would bark and snarl, cautioning me to stay away. If I came too close he would jump off and we would start all over again. So I sat on the ground, about 25 feet away, and slowly scooted my way over, all the time having a conversation with a Chihuahua that was guarding a Pit Bull!
Eventually he let me get close enough so we could have a face to face & heart to heart discussion. I told him that his intentions were very noble and would not go un rewarded for the both of them.
Unfortunately, with the abundance of Pit Bulls and general misunderstanding of the breed, they are not easily adopted and when found by a Dog Warden, Animal Control officer or Dog Catcher, they usually end up at an Animal Control facility that holds them for 48 hours. If they are not claimed, they are euthanized.
However, due to this little guy’s tenacity and I do believe true affection for his Pit Bull lady, I was not going to let that happen. –So with my promise to be their protector, he let me pick him up.
However he wanted nothing to do with separate cages. So together they went!
I took the Chihuahua, his Pit Bull and their story to the Washington County Humane Society.
It took some time to get them into the shelter, not because of who they were, but due to lack of space. Their story of dedication and should I dare say love won the hearts of everyone who came in contact with them. Eventually a space was set up for them in a restroom in the lobby and they settled in. The shelter intends to find them a home that they can share together.
The happy ending to this story is not a typical one for most Pit Bulls who are running at large. It took the determination of this one small, scrappy Chihuahua to save the life of this Pit Bull.
Can you imagine how many lives could be saved if we humans took the time to look past the stereotype and really looked at each dog as a dog? You may find a loving, loyal and dedicated companion to fight for like our Chihuahua friend did.
This little man and I both extend thanks to the Washington County Humane Society for giving them a second chance at a life together.
oh my…that got me in tears 🙂 im so happy for them and hope that they find their forever home!!!
This story really touched me and a lover of dogs and also a pitbull owner, I really know how misunderstood the breed is… So nice to here that another and her companion were saved to a kind soul that didn’t judge by the breed just help two homeless dogs out of love !! :O)
We often tell folks we rather face a room full of pit bulls than chihuahuas! And yet, chihuahuas have their endearing nature. 🙂 Thank-you for sharing the story. A story that also shows us that dogs are so much more than what we often time give them credit for.
Beautiful story!
I love, love, love this story! I saved it in my favorites and read it every day and cry every time! I adore animals, and the pitbull and chihuahua have a special place in my heart. All I want to know is whether they were adopted together. Please say they were!!
wow…i too rescued a pitbull and a tiny 4lb Chihuahua…they are the best of pals!
I also have a female pit and a male chihuahua! Sadie and Oliver are inseparable, and much like these two, very concerned about the others’ well-being. It’s nice to see articles that are breed positive. Thanks for sharing! And applause to that conscientious man for understanding they belonged together!