Project: career as a service dog bound...
Updates will be posted as they occur.
DO NOT CONTACT ME UNLESS YOU MEET AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
1) You are with a verifiable and established dog rescue group. 2) You have a verifiable relationship with an established service dog training program; or, a veteran's group which helps veterans obtain service dogs. 3) You have been referred to this page by one of the above; or, are willing to be screened and make arrangements with them PRIOR TO even considering taking actual possession of the dog. My first and foremost goal is to insure their safety and well-being - a major task when placing "bully-breeds." The reputation they've been given is NOT because of the breed - it IS because of those so-called "humans" who desire them for the misconceptions about them!!! I have a mobility service dog; and, know the bond which forms between a service dog and a handler. I want these sweet pups to have what my service dog has. My 1st preference would be that they go to disabled veterans, both for the help they can be for the veterans and for the security that being "under the umbrella" of veteran's groups, if anything were to happen to their person. THAT being established, my email address is fedup @ rsib dot net These pup's names are Patchi (F), AK (M), and Brindie (F). A friend of mine rescued 3, EXTREMELY SWEET, barely weaned pit pups from a desolate ditch (near Wewoka, OK) on 12/08/17. She had been feeding the abandoned mother and there had been a 4th pup; but, they had vanished. We're assuming that a coyote had gotten the 4th pup; and, the whole pack had gotten the mother, when she tried to save the pup. It took a couple of days to get the pups to come to her; but, she was able to collect them. She got them wormed and their 1st shots in Dec., thinking that she was going to keep the brindle F; and, a friend of her's was going to arrange transport to where that friend lives, in FL. Long story short, her (now former) friend in FL, changed her mind and adopted locally - at which point my friend (who's also a disabled senior) got overwhelmed and took the pups to the vet to have them killed. I was able to intervene in time to save them; and, I'm currently fostering all 3, at this point. After she concluded that her dogs were not going to accept the 3rd pup, even on temporary basis. (They're approx. 5 (+?) months old now, as of 02/27/18.) On 02/05, they were spayed/neutered, + got their rabies and booster shots. We've been using Normectin injectable orally for HW preventative; but, neither of us can afford good flea/tick preventative. (Hopefully, they can be in a better foster situation before that becomes an issue.) They are crate, dog door, and potty trained; and, have gotten pretty good about leaving my shoes alone, as well as (most of the time) understanding that outside is for playing and inside is for chilling. They understand that they have to sit for their treats; but, they DO need someone working with them who isn't nearly as disabled as I am. I have 4 dogs of my own, including a @100# Akbash mix mobility service dog, 2 dogs who are so territorial that they have to stay in a 550SF "doggie prison" (heated dog house, heated water bucket, etc.) for my SD's safety, and a (@50#) senior dog who isn't mean to the pups; but, would really prefer to be left alone by them. (My SD is a great "foster big-brother," who enjoys playing with them; but, I don't want him to get so attached to them that it'll be a loss for him when it becomes time for them to move on to a much better situation.) I'm also a disabled senior, who struggles to try to just get by on a VERY limited income, as well. Oklahoma has a TERRIBLE problem with scumbags who are into fighting pits - the fear of which was a major factor in her almost having these babies killed. Folks are also really bad around here about doing crap like leaving them chained to a tree and treating them like lawn furniture - not AS BAD; but, still, no life for ANY dog!!! (And, THAT's even assuming that some scumbag doesn't steal them for dog fighting/a bait dog!) I had been trying to located a pit rescue for them; so, at least, they'd have the protections of applicant screening, a high adoption fee, and an enforceable "must return" contract. Over the past month, I haven't gotten even so much as an email back from any of them; and, most (around here) don't list a phone number. I was delighted to hear that there were places training bully/bully mixes to be PTSD service dogs for veterans - thinking that IF I can get them into such a program, it would mean a really great life for them. Unfortunately, I'm not having ANY success finding anywhere in or near Oklahoma with such a program... :( The only things even potentially close are a 2 places in Tulsa, one of which won't even screen a dog until s/he's 2 years old; and, another which never seems to return phone calls... :( :( :( I'd find some way to afford the gas to get them anywhere within about a 250 mile radius of Seminole, OK to get them into (or even screened for) a legitimate preparatory foster program. (I don't trust my car to make it further than about 25 miles; but, the original rescuer/ friend said she could get us there if it was within about 250 miles.) I'd even be willing to continue fostering them for as long as I possibly can. They're really bright pups, with really sweet personalities; and, could be easily trained. My concerns would be based upon my own current physical limitations... (There are definite reasons for my needing my mobility service dog...) PLEASE!!! My goal is to get these pups great and fulfilling lives as service dogs If you have ANY ideas or suggestions (with the exception of "Just give up and have them killed..." or "Just take your chances and hope you can re-home them to individuals...") let me know.... If you have any networking connections in the service dog training community, please feel free to send them this URL, as well... More pictures will be uploaded as they become available. Thank you for your time, Kathy |