I recently posted a Happy Tail from Christine in New Haven, CT, about Russell, the dog she'd adopted from F.O.B.A.S. in Trumbull, CT. Russell had been rescued from an abandoned dog-fighting facility in Georgia, where he was used as a bait dog.
Then I received an email from Virginia, who had fostered Russell for F.O.B.A.S. She sent along the above photo of how Russell looked when he was seized from the dog-fighting facility. F.O.B.A.S. paid to transport Russell from Georgia to Connecticut and then posted him on Petfinder so he could find a wonderful home. After the jump, see what Russell looks like now.
Here's Russell's "after" photo. What a difference!Petfinder members do such amazing and wonderful work. Our thanks go out to all of them.
Your a magnificent person, What beautiful pup, Russell is a real beauty, and so are you.
I have always had a rescue dog, and they are the most wonderful dogs on earth. After my last adoption of a "special adoption" German shepherd (not even close to an abused Pit Bull bait dog), I realize how difficult the bad cases can be. It takes a truly special person (a "dog angel") to risk the rescue of such an abused animal as Russell. I never thought about pits before or ever considered one, but after the Dog Whisperer opened my eyes to pit bulls, and with all of the bad rap they get, my next rescue will be one of these amazing dogs. My daughter rescued a mix that had been thrown out of a car and had mange over half its body (with open sores). The dog is now fully recovered and the sweetest dog I have ever met. Dogs are individuals, not just a breed, and there needs to be a lot of PR about that. Thank you to the individuals who made this emaciated creature into the "man's best friend" that he was bred to be.
Becky
I have been trying to help save dogs from high kill shelters in manhattan and Brooklyn, 20 are killed a day, due to space. it is a never ending battle, and sadly the majority are pits or pit mixes! They get such a bad wrap, and they are the most people loving dogs, eager to please, even though their past may have been filled with abuse from people, they still trust. I am so happy to see the happy ending with Russell, and pray for more stories with happy endings. These dogs all need a break, and the public needs to stop believing the media, and focus on each animal. Any dog can attack, but we only hear horror stories involving pits. They are treated the worst, from any other breed, and yet, when they occasionally do lash back, everyone assumes they are all bad, when nothing could be further from the truth!!
All I can say is Thank God for all the loving, caring and giving animal people! Being a Veterinary ER/ICU Nurse for 20 years I have seen it all pass through my hands! Especially the poor neglected and abused little souls. Thank God for you all!!
Geri
hes soo cute i sooo glade you saved him cause when i grow up iam goin to be a vet cause i cant stand se dogs and cats dead or dieing
everytime i see a dog on the side of the road i always want to pick it up and take it home but i cant cause we already have 3 dogs well iam happy for thr doggy who found a great home
thanks too all who save and adopt cats and dogs they need good homes byees
love,kaelin
I am the rescuer that took the chance bringing him up after the raid in Georgia. When he arrived, everyone thought I was nuts, he was surely shell shocked, starved, all bitten up. So what do I do? Bring him to my house with six other dogs and four cats! A miracle happened, Russell decided he wanted to live and that he wanted to live as an adored pet. He went for walks with my other dogs and was always a gentleman. Then, Christine came, he took one look at her, and NEVER looked back at me!...It was like "thanks for all your help, but this is where I am meant to be, CYA" It has been a great ending because Russell found Christine and both are very happy. Now, he is a breed embassador, enjoying his walks, family time and even fun at the dog park....who would have thought! I am so happy.
Pamela, thank you for fostering Petey for so many years. Foster parents like you and Virginia are truly unsung heroes. You make such a difference in the lives of these little souls.
Thank you for rescuing Russell! I rescued a shepard/rottie cross 11 yrs ago, after she had been a 2 time loser at Marin Humane Society...she passed 2 months ago at 15...I rescued Marley 2 days later from a shelter in Red Bluff CA...he is dobir/rottie cross. Thank all animal lovers and God Bless us all! Rita
this is such a sad story. thank you for reporting on it
I can't believe the things humans will do to an animal. What an amazing transformation. Thank you to everyone who rescues these innocent creatures.
wow the dog looks better than ever thank god u adopted it or that could have been a bad ending for the poor doggie.
Christine,
You are a Godsend. Russell will never forget what you did for him. The world needs more people like you. Thank goodness he was found in time. This world would be a sadder place without Russell. You are a true hero.
Another animal Lover,
Julie
Oh, my goodness, how wonderful that these dogs are finding wonderful homes!! It makes me "truly ill" that these "sick" people are using these helpless animals for "money", for I am helpless for words. Why, I guess we will never know, but with the help and kindness of people who do adopt these helpless dogs, it will make a difference. As for the criminals, put them in jail, lock the key, never let them out!! As tax payers, I do not want to pay more taxes to care for them, however, give them "very little" make them suffer!!
What a wonderful story! I will bever understand how someone can treat an animal like that! He looks just like our rescue boxer/pit mix! God bless the people that gives these animals a voice!
I am so happy Russell was saved! We too have a rescue dog we started fostering in 2003? Goodness, it seems like Petey has been with us forever! He is mixed Pitbull and Dalmation. Noone know for certain all he has been thru but he has the scars to prove it! Now he is the most laid back old man you could imagine in the breeds he is made of. If I could, I would take all the abused, neglected, and unloved animals.
It always gives you a lift to hear about happy endings!
god bless all the rescuers that saved this beautfull baby from dieying gods creatures were not ment to be abused they are ment to be care for and loved lots oh love debbie and rocky
I just want to say that this is truly amazing! Russell is such a beautiful boy!
I will NEVER, EVER, understand how ANYONE could get anything out of making dogs fight. This is literally one of the most cruel things ever. Dogs are so awesome, and so sweet, and they love you no matter what. They are your best friend for life! How could you not give them that back? I'm always glad to see loving people who adopt, and love animals as much as I do. It is always great to hear a good Happy Tail!
Blessings,
Jessica