Hope 4 Leo: A Misunderstood PitBull
Donation protected
I'm Kaitlin, a dog loving foster mommy who ended up with a scared, precious pit bull puppy. Leo has behavior issues much like the humans who abused and dumped him at just 7 months old. Hence he has trust issues with strangers and is scared of unknown objects. When I was told by my Rescue that they were giving up on the now 10 month old little Leo my heart sank. They advised to put him down after guarding behaviors developed and his insecurities with strangers came off as aggressive. All I could do was WEEP for this sweet boy that has been my WORLD for the last 3 months.
Was this it? Had I really done EVERYTHING in my power to justify him taking the needle? Could I actually live through watching this healthy, happy pup die in my arms? He is just a young guy that has never been loved or taught the rules. How can dogs be so disposable to humans, especially the ones who were supposed to save him? I felt as if I was told by the Rescue that he was a broken toy and we better throw him out for a better model. But I knew this was wrong, he is a living creature with so much potential. He just happened to make mistakes and needed to be shown how to trust and behave.
After being left high and dry by the rescue, I'm alone in my fight to save Leo. After consulting with numerous dog professionals I've come up with a solid solution and I have set out to:
1. Raise the money to rehabilitate and train Leo. We have found the right place, just need the funds.
2. Find someone to rescue and love him forever, someone who will be there to see that the training is being followed, someone who is committed, experienced and willing to do what it takes to show Leo that life can be wonderful.
This is the ultimate rescue story, the dog who was rescued by an organization and sentenced to death, now in need of someone willing to help heal him. Like the many cases we have seen from the Michael Vick Fighting Dogs who were able to go through necessary training to become adoptable dogs, instead of just being thrown out. We know there is still #hopeforleo. Help me in my fight for Leo.
More on Leo: He is a 10 month old, grey colored, mixed breed, great with other dogs, loves to play, good in cars and boats, crate trained, house trained and dog door trained.
For more information on Leo and his back story please contact me.
More on training: We have decided on Solid k9 Training in Providence, RI to help balance Leo. The owner and head trainer Jeff Gellman has created a great reputation for himself to "Train the Trainers" and taking on even the most intense behavioral issues. He has a radio show as well as 2 webinars a week to help dog owners help their dogs for free. His 5 week board and train is $3,900 and we need to transport Leo ourselves. Please check out his website at www.solidk9training.com
A special thanks goes out to everyone at www.notabully.org that is helping make this truly inspirational rescue story a reality. Their campaign to advocate and raise awareness for pit bull and bully breeds is really giving Leo the platform he needs. Read their article on him and his story here http://notabully.org/hope-for-leo-a-misunderstood-pit-bull/
More on Kaitlin: Kaitlin is a young professional living in the Washington, DC area a who has fostered dogs for 5 years. She is unable to adopt or keep Leo herself. She has fostered Leo for the last 3 months now and her landlord just recently found out she was holding a pit bull and she is now at risk. Kaitlin knows she s not in the right place in her life to adopt a dog, she is simply trying to be a temporary mom to a dog in need.
Was this it? Had I really done EVERYTHING in my power to justify him taking the needle? Could I actually live through watching this healthy, happy pup die in my arms? He is just a young guy that has never been loved or taught the rules. How can dogs be so disposable to humans, especially the ones who were supposed to save him? I felt as if I was told by the Rescue that he was a broken toy and we better throw him out for a better model. But I knew this was wrong, he is a living creature with so much potential. He just happened to make mistakes and needed to be shown how to trust and behave.
After being left high and dry by the rescue, I'm alone in my fight to save Leo. After consulting with numerous dog professionals I've come up with a solid solution and I have set out to:
1. Raise the money to rehabilitate and train Leo. We have found the right place, just need the funds.
2. Find someone to rescue and love him forever, someone who will be there to see that the training is being followed, someone who is committed, experienced and willing to do what it takes to show Leo that life can be wonderful.
This is the ultimate rescue story, the dog who was rescued by an organization and sentenced to death, now in need of someone willing to help heal him. Like the many cases we have seen from the Michael Vick Fighting Dogs who were able to go through necessary training to become adoptable dogs, instead of just being thrown out. We know there is still #hopeforleo. Help me in my fight for Leo.
More on Leo: He is a 10 month old, grey colored, mixed breed, great with other dogs, loves to play, good in cars and boats, crate trained, house trained and dog door trained.
For more information on Leo and his back story please contact me.
More on training: We have decided on Solid k9 Training in Providence, RI to help balance Leo. The owner and head trainer Jeff Gellman has created a great reputation for himself to "Train the Trainers" and taking on even the most intense behavioral issues. He has a radio show as well as 2 webinars a week to help dog owners help their dogs for free. His 5 week board and train is $3,900 and we need to transport Leo ourselves. Please check out his website at www.solidk9training.com
A special thanks goes out to everyone at www.notabully.org that is helping make this truly inspirational rescue story a reality. Their campaign to advocate and raise awareness for pit bull and bully breeds is really giving Leo the platform he needs. Read their article on him and his story here http://notabully.org/hope-for-leo-a-misunderstood-pit-bull/
More on Kaitlin: Kaitlin is a young professional living in the Washington, DC area a who has fostered dogs for 5 years. She is unable to adopt or keep Leo herself. She has fostered Leo for the last 3 months now and her landlord just recently found out she was holding a pit bull and she is now at risk. Kaitlin knows she s not in the right place in her life to adopt a dog, she is simply trying to be a temporary mom to a dog in need.
Organizer
Kaitlin Bart
Organizer
Arlington, VA