Saturday, November 10, 2007

Pit Bulls & Optimism



Our newest rescue, Gino, has Ectrodactyly otherwise known as "lobster claw syndrome". It's an extremely rare birth defect that happens only in a few species including canines and humans. In the fetal developmental stages, the two bones in the leg separate down to the paw into what looks like a lobster claw. He walks on his deformed leg with a limp and runs holding it up.

When I and 2 other members of our rescue group went to temperament test him it was a dreary day. There had been an outbreak of ringworm and sulfur solution was all over the place. Yuck. He was in a crate across from another dog barking at him waiting for his resident kennel to be cleaned. This would have been my worst day on the planet for sure.


He came out of his kennel with happiness and joy to be alive; he seemed positive that we were there to see HIM! He held up his paw as if to shake our hands and thank us for stopping by. We laughed so hard. My day was already so much better. He actually changed the way I felt about life at that moment.


When we got to the testing area, we cried. He seemed to be smiling at us - anticipating being loved, cuddled, and kissed. His disability and a really crappy few days had not "turned this off" in him. He was a true gentleman when we tested him. Biddable, respectful, and careful of our bodies. It seemed as though he wanted to just snuggle together and ponder good times.



This is what I call optimism. Being "optimistic" on a good day is easy. Being optimistic, happy, loving, joyful, and full of appreciation for life on a bad stretch of days or a part of one's life is true optimism. That was Gino in a nutshell.

This is what I think of when I think of the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Being human, hmmmmm, well....... true "optimism" seems to be taking me a bit longer to learn.

- Marthina McClay

8 comments:

  1. Great story..so inspiring. This is the stuff we need people to see and read! Thanks for all that you do for the dogs Marthina!
    Mary

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  2. The spirit that dogs have can certainly teach us humans a few things. Seems like a great dog I hope someone out there will provide him with a home.

    Kevin

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  3. I inherited my Dad's cat-hating pit bull. I had a cat. Wanting to keep both and hoping for peaceful co-existance.I started "practicing" with the dog (Dingo) and a toy cat...."What's a good boy do with a kitty?" (first time it was CHOMP. After practicing several times a day, for a while, then helping the toy cuddle with him and do little kitty cat rubs against his face for a couple weeks.... "what's a good boy do with a kitty?" elicited face licking and teeny little ear nibbles. So I got the real cat, "Calvin". "What's a good boy do with a kitty?" Poor Dingo trembled all over....oh he wanted that cat. Few minutes two three times a day and after a week or so Calvin did the kitty cat rub against Dingos face. They became great friends sleeping cuddled together on the couch. They are both gone now, dying of old age-related problems a few weeks apart. I would never try this with another type of dog. DebiAnn

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  4. I SAW YOUR INSPIRING STORY TONIGHT ON "THE LINE-UP W/KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE" ON FOX NEWS CHANNEL AND I HAVE TO ADMIT, I HAD TO HOLD BACK MY TEARS. LEO IS SUCH A SWEET DOG AND HE IS VERY DESERVING OF THE LOVE AND ATTENTION YOU GUYS ARE GIVING HIM ALONG WITH THAT OF HIS PATIENTS. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, LADIES, GOOD LUCK LEO!
    SHERRY_TENNESSEE

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  5. bless you, i have three pits, and you couldn't ask for a better dog. lovable beautiful intelligent and oh how they love to smile. My one pit when you first walk in the door, smiles so much that I think her teeth should fall out. They are the best and you are wonderful to bring these beautiful souls in your home and make a difference. Leo, you are adorable, and I am glad you had a second chance as well as the others that was under such cruelty.

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  6. This is so wonderful! God bless people who truely care for these animals! I love my pitt with my whole heart! She could not be any sweeter! Stories like Leo's and Gino's are so inspiring! Keep up the good work!

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  7. I too adopted one of the Vick Pitts her name is 7 and she is absolutely adorable nothing but love and affection for her and from her. She unfortunately is one of the most scarred up dogs i have seen but that just makes her ever so much more beautiful. Good work with Leo her and I are currently goijng through extensive training as well. Love and Respect
    Daron

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