CHOWDER..aka..Benny
by Theresa Meyers Fraser
I adopted Chowder from DowntownDog Rescue in August of 2008. Chowder is what they call an “American Bully”. A new trend of shorter and wider Pit Bulls. Sought after by irresponsible people, our shelters are now filled with this hot new trend of Bullies. He was purchased for the sole purpose of breeding and making money for his thug owner. Chowder had been left in a yard with other dogs but had little to no human socialization. His owner went to jail before Chowder was even old enough to breed and was almost thrown out on the street by the other family members who did not want him. Luckily DowntownDog Rescue stepped in to save him from certain death.
He was a sweet but timid puppy who was a little unsure of himself and very unsure of people. However, Chowder had one thing going for him…he was “superb” with other dogs and loved being a part of a pack. Since I already had 2 other dogs I knew Chowder would be a good fit for us, regardless of how he felt about humans. At the time I had no idea that Chowder would one day play an important role in helping me to save other dogs.
Right away I noticed that Chowder seemed to have a special way with other dogs. We used to go to the dog park on a regular basis and several different people approached me on different occasions telling me things like “My dog never plays with other dogs, but he seems to love your dog” or “This is the first time I have seen my dog play, he is usually nervous at the dog park”. And of course I was proud to have the great tempered Pit Bull. Sadly, there were those occasions where I saw people “flee” the park when they saw Chowder coming in.
Over the last year I started to foster dogs. I completely rely on Chower’s ability to give an honest insight into a dog’s temperment. So much so that I would be hesitant to do it without him. He has the ability to read a dog from afar without doing the typical doggie “meet and greet”. I have seen him avoid an aggressive dog long before the dog gave any indication of being dog aggressive. I have also seen Chowder crawl into a crate to quietly lie with a dog who is depressed and lonely. Never once stressing the newcomer with the “this is my terriotory” attitude. And if I have a puppy who is anxious to play then Chowder is always happy to oblige in a friendly welcoming sort of way. He tones things down or plays them up according to what is appropriate.
Chowder plays with a 2lb teacup Chihuahua on a regular basis. He will lie on his belly and use only the pressure of his nose to play with the tiny dog even though the lil Chi is using her teeth and really going at him. He senses the fact that she is delicate and cannot handle his strength. This is unique to Chowder. My other dogs have no concept of size difference. However, if he comes across a tough guy who wants to play “Bully” then Chowder can hang with the best of them. I call him my little “crystal ball”. A true canine “dog whisperer”.
Once he got to our house it didn’t take him long to trust us. I can still see him cautiously peaking around the corner..then slinking back into his crate. Chowder has an incredible love for my children. He sleeps with them…lies with them when they do their homework..and has always been gentle with them.
When I adopted Chowder I had every intention of taking him to obedience school but quickly realized he was so far ahead of the game that there was no need to. He is incredibly focused and intuitive with me. Always listening and waiting to do what is asked of him. Knowing that Chowder could of ended up in a shelter on death row has always made me sad because I realize that there are so many “Chowders” who are sitting in our shelters. Their potential will never be realized. This very thought is what motivates me to help the Bullies any way I can.
OK…I know Chowder sounds too perfect so here is his one flaw. He has never learned to fully trust men. If I have a male friend over, Chowder will stalk him around the house..watching him..positioning himself between us. I know he is just waiting to defend his pack and unfortunatly I usually have to put him in my bedroom so my guest can breathe a little easier. He also fiercly guards our property. Embarrassing as it is..I have my yard double gated and locked with padlocks and my gardner will still not enter the yard unless Chowder is shut in the house. We like to joke and say that you have to be under 5 feet 4 to come into our home. Apparently,Chowder remembers his previous owner was a man who was not to be trusted.
My family and I feel incredibly lucky to have Chowder in our lives. He is a beloved family member..trusted friend..adored pack member.
PICKLES
If you could read Pickles “to do” list it would read something like this. Be born…get ears brutally hacked off..become a stray..sit in a cold concrete cell..be killed..all in 3 months time. When I first saw his picture my first thought was that certainly this is not a dog who needs to be rescued. He is young, adorable and has a heartwrenching story. Surely he will be adopted. What I forgot to take into consideration was the fact that Pickles was a Pit Bull, in a high kill shelter, in an area known for gang activity, and not physically appealing anymore.
Something made me call the shelter on Tuesday Feb 23rd at 4:45 pm. Not sure why because I was on a break from fostering and certainly not thinking of rescuing a puppy at the moment. I was horrified when the shelter staff told me that if Pickles was not adopted on Feb 24th (which was the next day) that he would be euthanized. She said the shelter is so full that they are only giving him 3 days to be adopted.
I decided to send out urgent pleas in every forum I could think of, telling people about the injustice that was alredy done and going to be done to Pickles. That night I recieved approx 70 emails from concerned people wanting to help Pickles. I did not have time to interview or really follow up with anyone but it gave me the confidence that there is a home out there for a mutilated baby Pit Bull.
The next morning I went to the shelter to meet Pickles. An over worked shelter staff seemed genuinely annoyed that he had to stop cleaning kennels to show me a dog. And I couldn’t help but noticed that this shelter made East Valley look empty. There were 5 to 6 dogs in each kennel. Rows and rows of them. More Pit bulls then I have ever seen at a shelter. It dawned on me that none of these adult Pits were listed on their “adoptable” page. My only consolation was that I knew their time languishing at the shelter would be short.
When I got to Pickles kennel my heart melted. There he was sitting with the lil Chi’s, Maltese’s and Shi Zu’s. Politely wagging his tail with little nubs where his ears used to be. I knew right then that I was going to adopt him and figure everything else out once he was safe. So..I adopted him and hurried home to sort through my “interested party” emails. To make a long process short. Pickles will be going to an LA based rescue group where he already has a potential home waiting for him. I was relieved to have a qualified rescue take the responsibilty of finding Pickles the right home. My 3 days with Pickles are almost over but I will never forget him. The image of him romping around my backyard on the day he was supposed to be killed is priceless.
He is a delightful, well mannered little guy who soaks up love and affection from humans. He seems surprised that someone would be paying so much attention to him. And it is so cute to see how he imitates my dog Chowder. He is oddly content in his crate…and I have realized that he just doesn’t know that there are fun and exciting things for puppies to be doing. Whoever gets him will be very lucky.
