Help Save Tugger!!!

by Kathy
(Newton, Iowa)

Worth a second chance...

Tugger is approximately 2 years old and looks to be a pit-bull mix. She had been living at a local shelter here in Newton, Iowa and wasn't doing well in her cage. She was starting to "depreciate" according to the director, and it was recommended that Tugger be euthanized.

Having spent time with her, I knew she had huge potential and just need to be socialized and trained. I opted to foster her to give her more time. While she bonded well to me, she was extremely fearful of my husband and did not get along with my cats. She was also very difficult to walk on a leash (thus the name Tugger).

I had her for 12 days and then had to board her at the shelter (per their request) because I was going out of town. During this time I discussed bringing Tugger back to our home and my husband felt that it wouldn't be a good idea simply because she would bark at him as he walked into our home or as he was exiting our bedroom and it made him nervous.

I left her at the shelter for 3 days and then was told that the board had stated that Tugger absolutely had to be euthanized because she was unadoptable.

I went back and retrieved Tugger to make one last effort to save her life. She has been an absolute love bug with me and while she continues to be fearful of my husband, she has made big improvements (his words).

She loved the guys at the shelter and bonded well with me. She does have fear issues that need to be resolved and I think it's possible with proper training and socialization. I can't continue to keep Tugger based on my cats. The shelter will not allow me to place her in a training program because they are concerned about liabilities.

Tugger has never shown aggression towards me or any of the people she has consistently interacted with. She attended a Petco adoption event and did very well in spite of her fears. My hope is to find a rescue willing to take her in and train her.

I will transport her and am willing to pay her adoption fees in advance. Tugger doesn't have much more time. Thank you for your consideration.

Comments for Help Save Tugger!!!

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Jan 20, 2012
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Why don't YOU adopt her?
by: Anonymous

You should really adopt the dog you are if you really care about her life. The cats will get over it.

Jan 20, 2012
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One more thing..
by: Kathy

Tugger is spayed, up to date on her shots wtih the exception of rabies (which I would obtain), microchipped, rides well in a car uncrated, sleeps in her crate at night and loves to play, but prefers to be with her person. She's perfect for an individual experienced with the breed and willing to take the time to work with her. I believe she would love to be a running dog once she developed good manners.

Thank you for reading about Tugger.

Jan 20, 2012
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Adoption
by: Kathy

My husband and I purchased a smaller home about 5 mos. ago. We have no back yard, very little room for a large dog and did not want to incur the financial commitment of owning a dog (boarding, medical, etc.) We had just had to have our own beloved dog of 10 years put to sleep due to a rare liver disease. My husband had a hard time dealing with his death and felt that Orson (our dog) would be difficult to replace. For this reason, we agreed that we would not adopt another dog, but that fostering would be a good compromise. I also began volunteering at the shelter. I have fostered many dogs and never had to euthanize any of them. Never did I anticipate that this would be the case. I also expected that there would be an adjustment with the cats, but if you read about pit bulls, some of them have higher prey drives than others and I believe this is the case with Tugger. I have had my cats for 7 years and they are like my children (we don't have children). If Tugger were to kill (and this has happened) one of them, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. Believe me when I tell you that I have agonized over it. Thank you so much for reading about Tugger and your response.

Jan 20, 2012
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A few more rescues--hope this helps
by: Gale

Hi Kathy:

Here are a few other rescues to try.

Casa Del Toro based in Indiana. Phone listed on website as 317-586-8024

A & S Rescue in Antioch, Illinois

4 luv of dog rescue in Fargo, North Dakota was suggested by someone on facebook. I don't know whether this number is still good, but it's listed on Pit Bull Rescue Central as 701-367-8217.

If you go to pbrc.net and click on the rescues link on the top right corner of the page, you'll get a list of shelters and rescues organized by state.

Jan 20, 2012
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Another Suggestion from Facebook
by: Gale

I think this is a good one. I don't believe they are a rescue, but they are well connected and may be able to help you find one: StubbyDog.org.

Jan 23, 2012
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IA rescue that was tagged in this pic
by: Anonymous

Could you please give me a bit more info on her.I am presently full, but have a good network of fosters. I am only about 2 hrs or less from you and really hate to see a good dog go down. could you e-mail me and i will give you my contact info and lets see what we can do. i am not promising anything, but i specialize in pits and screen my fosters well

pittiegirl@mchsi.com

Jan 23, 2012
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rescue
by: Anonymous

Just trying to post. fairly local to you. not promising, but will give you my e-mail so you can send me a message and get my contact info. i have a good foster network, but am full right now. in the QC in Davenport area. trying again b/c upon refresh of the page it did not show my comment

pittiegirl@mchsi.com

Jan 26, 2012
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Update
by: Kathy

I just want to thank everyone, especially Gale, for taking the time to read about Tugger and help with her rescue. Unfortunately, her story hasn't ended as I had hoped. Today I was told to either adopt her or bring her back. The shelter had no interest in working to save her. In fact, I found I that they never considered her adoptable at all. They were simply allowing me to keep her becuase they knew I was attached. I've decided to end my relationship with this group altogether as this isn't the way that I work. I don't give minimal effort. My husband is heartbroken and actually cried when I told him. This from a guy that tolerated a dog that never really came to accept him entirely. She did allow him enough leeway to become attached to her. For this reason, I don't think I'll be fostering again. It's too hard on us both. If and when we decide to have another dog in our home, we will most definitely consider a Pit. What an awesome breed. If nothing else, Tugger has shown me how much this breed needs our help and I plan to advocate on her behalf.

Thank you all again.

Jan 27, 2012
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Condolences
by: Gale

@Kathy:

I am so sorry to hear this--sorry for you, your husband and Tugger. This shelter, IMO, has no moral compass. On one hand, they tell you she is unadoptable. On the other hand, they suggest you adopt her.

If she were truly unadoptable, then no one should be allowed to adopt her. No one should have been allowed to foster her to begin with. But clearly, that wasn't the case with Tugger. For whatever reason, (maybe someone on the board doesn't like pit bulls) they just wanted the matter over and done with.

When you terminate your relationship with this shelter, I hope you tell them why. If anyone on that board has a smidgen of conscience, perhaps they'll change how they do things in the future.

You and Tugger were the innocents here. Tugger was trying to meet world of humans half way despite her fears. And you created the opportunity for her to try. And you gave her the gift of knowing human kindness and love before she left this world. My heart goes out to both of you. R.I.P. sweet baby girl Tugger.

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