Barney - In November 2005, Pit Bulls for Life brought 12 pit bulls and pit bull crosses back from the devastation
that was left by Hurricane Katrina. Barney, a young pit bull/bulldog mix was one of those dogs. Despite surviving
Hurricane Katrina, severe starvation, a serious case of demodex mange, and a previously healed broken elbow,
Barney is still the happiest dog you will ever come to know. Between doting over his new family and living to play
with other dogs and the family cat, Barney sits down to enjoy every moment that he is alive due to the hard work
and dedication of the volunteers of Pasados Safe Haven of Seattle who rescued him from the streets of New
Orleans, and Pit Bulls for Life who nursed him back to health and found him his forever home.
that was left by Hurricane Katrina. Barney, a young pit bull/bulldog mix was one of those dogs. Despite surviving
Hurricane Katrina, severe starvation, a serious case of demodex mange, and a previously healed broken elbow,
Barney is still the happiest dog you will ever come to know. Between doting over his new family and living to play
with other dogs and the family cat, Barney sits down to enjoy every moment that he is alive due to the hard work
and dedication of the volunteers of Pasados Safe Haven of Seattle who rescued him from the streets of New
Orleans, and Pit Bulls for Life who nursed him back to health and found him his forever home.
Barney - Before
| Barney - After |
Sadie - "When we adopted Sadie were told to not be surprised if she didn't want to cuddle or
greet us at the door. Well, I think we got the wrong dog!! Now one of her favorite thing is to "give
kisses" and we have to fight her to get her off our laps"
It took weeks to convince my boyfriend to meet Sadie, let alone adopt her. However, on our first
visit he turned to me and said "it must be fate". When Sadie arrived to come live with us in her
"forever home", she was very shy and timid. She warmed up to us quickly, but stayed
away from anybody else. I never thought I would see a dog run away from a cat, but leave it to
Sadie with her tail between her legs running away like the world was coming to an end! Oh how
times have changed. We have had our little joy for 10 months now and she greets everybody at
the door, and heaven forbid someone should "not" pay attention to her."
Kisses are a daily present at our house and we would never trade them for anything.
greet us at the door. Well, I think we got the wrong dog!! Now one of her favorite thing is to "give
kisses" and we have to fight her to get her off our laps"
It took weeks to convince my boyfriend to meet Sadie, let alone adopt her. However, on our first
visit he turned to me and said "it must be fate". When Sadie arrived to come live with us in her
"forever home", she was very shy and timid. She warmed up to us quickly, but stayed
away from anybody else. I never thought I would see a dog run away from a cat, but leave it to
Sadie with her tail between her legs running away like the world was coming to an end! Oh how
times have changed. We have had our little joy for 10 months now and she greets everybody at
the door, and heaven forbid someone should "not" pay attention to her."
Kisses are a daily present at our house and we would never trade them for anything.
It was everyone's hope that Abby's leg would heal, but it wasn't meant to be. It was evident to me after meeting her in her
foster home that her leg was probably going to have to be amputated. Sure enough, x-rays showed that the previous
surgery wasn't taking and amputation was in order. This of course raised some concern for us, and we felt it was important
that our family seriously discuss the situation. It didn't take long for us to realize that regardless of the challenges she may
have, we very much wanted her to be part of our family.
PBFL brought her to our home for a visit a couple days before her surgery. Our two Rotti’s welcomed her with an abundance
of kisses and butt sniffs! We were beyond happy knowing that Kato and Kenya so readily accepted her, and she
accepting of them. It was then decided that we would be Abby's foster family until after her impending amputation.
Taking her to the clinic that Tuesday morning was very difficult for us. In such a short time she had completely kidnapped our
hearts, and we were so fearful that something was going to take her away from us. We knew what she was about to
experience was going to be both traumatic and painful. Brandy from PBFL, was waiting for us when we arrived and offered
us her support and understanding, as I was crying like a baby.
We returned the next day after she came out of recovery. We were so excited to see her, and by her reaction to us the
feeling was mutual. She looked wonderful even with her torso wrapped in bandages. We were able to bring her back
home that day and although there was a little apprehension everything went well. She was so happy to be back and so
excited to see our two sons; she tried to smother them with her frantic kisses!
There was two weeks of making almost daily treks and sometimes two, from Airdrie to the Care Centre Animal Hospital to
have her bandages changed and to make sure she was healing well. She did develop a mild infection, which was treated
with antibiotics. As well it was discovered that she also had an ear infection, which was also treated. She has truly bonded
with our youngest son who is in a wheelchair, as well it seems a romance has ignited between her and Kato, for at any given
time you can find them smooching it up like a couple of teenagers!
Today, February 22 2007, we finalized the adoption, and our family couldn't be happier! Abby also made her TV debut
today, doing an interview with Shaw Magazine, which airs Friday, February 23 and through out the weekend on Channel
10.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Pit Bulls for Life, for not only bringing Abby into our lives, and making sure
she received the best medical care, but for all they do for this wonderful breed that has been so misunderstood and unfairly
characterized.
foster home that her leg was probably going to have to be amputated. Sure enough, x-rays showed that the previous
surgery wasn't taking and amputation was in order. This of course raised some concern for us, and we felt it was important
that our family seriously discuss the situation. It didn't take long for us to realize that regardless of the challenges she may
have, we very much wanted her to be part of our family.
PBFL brought her to our home for a visit a couple days before her surgery. Our two Rotti’s welcomed her with an abundance
of kisses and butt sniffs! We were beyond happy knowing that Kato and Kenya so readily accepted her, and she
accepting of them. It was then decided that we would be Abby's foster family until after her impending amputation.
Taking her to the clinic that Tuesday morning was very difficult for us. In such a short time she had completely kidnapped our
hearts, and we were so fearful that something was going to take her away from us. We knew what she was about to
experience was going to be both traumatic and painful. Brandy from PBFL, was waiting for us when we arrived and offered
us her support and understanding, as I was crying like a baby.
We returned the next day after she came out of recovery. We were so excited to see her, and by her reaction to us the
feeling was mutual. She looked wonderful even with her torso wrapped in bandages. We were able to bring her back
home that day and although there was a little apprehension everything went well. She was so happy to be back and so
excited to see our two sons; she tried to smother them with her frantic kisses!
There was two weeks of making almost daily treks and sometimes two, from Airdrie to the Care Centre Animal Hospital to
have her bandages changed and to make sure she was healing well. She did develop a mild infection, which was treated
with antibiotics. As well it was discovered that she also had an ear infection, which was also treated. She has truly bonded
with our youngest son who is in a wheelchair, as well it seems a romance has ignited between her and Kato, for at any given
time you can find them smooching it up like a couple of teenagers!
Today, February 22 2007, we finalized the adoption, and our family couldn't be happier! Abby also made her TV debut
today, doing an interview with Shaw Magazine, which airs Friday, February 23 and through out the weekend on Channel
10.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Pit Bulls for Life, for not only bringing Abby into our lives, and making sure
she received the best medical care, but for all they do for this wonderful breed that has been so misunderstood and unfairly
characterized.
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| pbflcanada@yahoo.ca Box 3608, Spruce Grove, AB T7X 3A8 |
If you have a Pit Bulls for Life inspirational story that you would like to share
please email us
please email us
Charlie - All of my life I have wanted a dog and thanks to Pit Bulls for Life I now have the best
one around. One day while at work I was listening to the radio when I heard one of the dj’s talking
about a calendar that her dog was in (Charlie Morgan from Lite 96 and her dog Brandy) and that
there was a foundation that took in bully breeds and helped them get adopted. This foundation
was Pit Bulls for Life. I hadn’t heard of the foundation before but I decided to check it out. The very
first dog on the top of the page was Charlie. I instantly fell in love with her beautiful face and after
reading her story I wanted her that much more. Something inside me knew that I had to have this
dog so I filled out the application and waited anxiously for a call back.
That evening Brandy with Pit Bulls for Life called to talk to me and let me know that I had been pre-
approved! I almost cried right there on the phone but I kept it together and made plans to go and
meet Charlie with my boyfriend Ken a week later. Those days were the slowest days in history but
eventually it was time to go and meet her. The moment we met Charlie we were greeted with a
million kisses and a bum wiggling so much she had to walk sideways! We spent a few hours outside
chatting with Charlie’s wonderful foster mom Carol and talking about Charlie’s leg issue and the
fact that she wasn’t going to be a “marathon” dog. She wouldn’t be able to run for long periods or
jump very much. We found out that some people were hesitant to take her home because of it but
we didn’t care, that just left her for us to take home and love! We left that day knowing that our
lives were about to change. The following day I called Brandy to let her know that we wanted
Charlie and once again had to wait for the longest week ever until we could take her home.
Charlie now lives with us in our house in Calgary . Everyday when I get home from work I am
greeted at the door with a million kisses and a wiggly bum! Everyone who meets her instantly falls in
love with her and their minds change about the breed. I can’t remember how it was before we
had Charlie but I do know that our lives will forever be filled with days of joy and love from our
beloved Charlie Brown. Thank you so much Brandy and Pit Bulls for Life for giving these amazing
dogs second chances at happiness and giving me the best dog a girl could ever ask for.
one around. One day while at work I was listening to the radio when I heard one of the dj’s talking
about a calendar that her dog was in (Charlie Morgan from Lite 96 and her dog Brandy) and that
there was a foundation that took in bully breeds and helped them get adopted. This foundation
was Pit Bulls for Life. I hadn’t heard of the foundation before but I decided to check it out. The very
first dog on the top of the page was Charlie. I instantly fell in love with her beautiful face and after
reading her story I wanted her that much more. Something inside me knew that I had to have this
dog so I filled out the application and waited anxiously for a call back.
That evening Brandy with Pit Bulls for Life called to talk to me and let me know that I had been pre-
approved! I almost cried right there on the phone but I kept it together and made plans to go and
meet Charlie with my boyfriend Ken a week later. Those days were the slowest days in history but
eventually it was time to go and meet her. The moment we met Charlie we were greeted with a
million kisses and a bum wiggling so much she had to walk sideways! We spent a few hours outside
chatting with Charlie’s wonderful foster mom Carol and talking about Charlie’s leg issue and the
fact that she wasn’t going to be a “marathon” dog. She wouldn’t be able to run for long periods or
jump very much. We found out that some people were hesitant to take her home because of it but
we didn’t care, that just left her for us to take home and love! We left that day knowing that our
lives were about to change. The following day I called Brandy to let her know that we wanted
Charlie and once again had to wait for the longest week ever until we could take her home.
Charlie now lives with us in our house in Calgary . Everyday when I get home from work I am
greeted at the door with a million kisses and a wiggly bum! Everyone who meets her instantly falls in
love with her and their minds change about the breed. I can’t remember how it was before we
had Charlie but I do know that our lives will forever be filled with days of joy and love from our
beloved Charlie Brown. Thank you so much Brandy and Pit Bulls for Life for giving these amazing
dogs second chances at happiness and giving me the best dog a girl could ever ask for.
Bella - As soon as I saw Bella's picture on the Pit Bulls for Life web site I totally fell in love with
her and needed to meet her. So I immediately showed my boyfriend her picture and began
heard from Brandy the very next day, and couldn't wait for the following weekend to finally
meet Bella.
That next weekend when I got to Brandy's house I was ambushed at the door with a million
kisses, And as soon as I brought my male am staff mix (Arsen) in to meet her, I knew immediately
she was meant to be my dog : ) It took everything in me to survive a week before I could pick
her up, but when it finally came I was the happiest person in the world, I even cried on the way
back to Red Deer i was so overjoyed.
Now Bella has a brother the same age as her that she hangs out and plays with all day, and a
mom that loves her more than words can say. At night we all pile into the queen size bed
cuddle together and go to sleep, well as much sleep as you can get with a big Bella dog
snoring and breathing in your face and Arsen stretched out across as much of the bed as he
can. So now I have two of the best dogs anyone could ever ask for, and I couldn't possibly be
any happier. So thank you Brandy so much for completing my family ; )
her and needed to meet her. So I immediately showed my boyfriend her picture and began
heard from Brandy the very next day, and couldn't wait for the following weekend to finally
meet Bella.
That next weekend when I got to Brandy's house I was ambushed at the door with a million
kisses, And as soon as I brought my male am staff mix (Arsen) in to meet her, I knew immediately
she was meant to be my dog : ) It took everything in me to survive a week before I could pick
her up, but when it finally came I was the happiest person in the world, I even cried on the way
back to Red Deer i was so overjoyed.
Now Bella has a brother the same age as her that she hangs out and plays with all day, and a
mom that loves her more than words can say. At night we all pile into the queen size bed
cuddle together and go to sleep, well as much sleep as you can get with a big Bella dog
snoring and breathing in your face and Arsen stretched out across as much of the bed as he
can. So now I have two of the best dogs anyone could ever ask for, and I couldn't possibly be
any happier. So thank you Brandy so much for completing my family ; )
Jersey - Jersey, came into the PBFL program in July, as a stray. She had no tags or microchip.
A very nice lady by the name of Charlene, took Jersey in for a little while to care for her. Jersey,
was skinny and dirty and in need of some TLC. PBFL, was contacted about this little girl and she
was admitted into the program. PBFL founder Brandy, would become her foster mama. However
that would be short lived!
While attending a BBQ, at our house, with Jersey in tow, it didn't take long for her to peak the
interest of our family. Jersey, made a wonderful first impression with our family, human and
canine alike. Knowing Brandy, had a few foster babies at the time, and the fact that she has
such a busy schedule with work and running the rescue, we told her she could leave Jersey
behind with us if she wanted to. We'd be happy to lighten her load and have Jersey stay with
us, after all, I've fostered several other dogs, may as well add Jersey to the list. Brandy, agreed
and that was the beginning to the end of Jersey's search for a forever home. She immediately
bonded with us, she became my second shadow.
She was quick to bond with our other Pit Bull and our Rottie. We knew that we couldn't let her
go, we fell in love with this dainty little girl and couldn't imagine her not being a part of our lives.
So we contacted Brandy, and told her that we would love to adopt her for ourselves and that
we couldn't bare to lose her. So that was that, we adopted her and we couldn't be happier!
Jersey, (nickname Puddin'Pie), is a wonderful addition to our family, and we thank Brandy and
Carol, for allowing us to become her forever home.
A very nice lady by the name of Charlene, took Jersey in for a little while to care for her. Jersey,
was skinny and dirty and in need of some TLC. PBFL, was contacted about this little girl and she
was admitted into the program. PBFL founder Brandy, would become her foster mama. However
that would be short lived!
While attending a BBQ, at our house, with Jersey in tow, it didn't take long for her to peak the
interest of our family. Jersey, made a wonderful first impression with our family, human and
canine alike. Knowing Brandy, had a few foster babies at the time, and the fact that she has
such a busy schedule with work and running the rescue, we told her she could leave Jersey
behind with us if she wanted to. We'd be happy to lighten her load and have Jersey stay with
us, after all, I've fostered several other dogs, may as well add Jersey to the list. Brandy, agreed
and that was the beginning to the end of Jersey's search for a forever home. She immediately
bonded with us, she became my second shadow.
She was quick to bond with our other Pit Bull and our Rottie. We knew that we couldn't let her
go, we fell in love with this dainty little girl and couldn't imagine her not being a part of our lives.
So we contacted Brandy, and told her that we would love to adopt her for ourselves and that
we couldn't bare to lose her. So that was that, we adopted her and we couldn't be happier!
Jersey, (nickname Puddin'Pie), is a wonderful addition to our family, and we thank Brandy and
Carol, for allowing us to become her forever home.
HAPPY ENDINGS
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Abby - September 28 2006, our hearts were broken, with the sudden death of our beloved
Golden Retriever Benny. The heartache of his loss was even evident in our two Rottis, Kenya
and Kato, who loved their "Uncle Ben".
In January, I began searching dog rescue sites on the net, not with the intention of
expanding our family with another furry baby, but to make a donation in memory of Benny.
After searching so many sites, and becoming overwhelmed by the amount of dogs in search
of a forever home, I knew I wanted to open my heart and home to a new dog. I was ready
to take that step and experience the new adventures that each dog brings and create new
memories and share all the love we have to give.
Then I discovered the Pit Bulls For Life website. Having had experience with pit bulls in the
past, and knowing the misconceptions of the breed, we felt compelled to welcome one of
these beautiful dogs into our home.
Golden Retriever Benny. The heartache of his loss was even evident in our two Rottis, Kenya
and Kato, who loved their "Uncle Ben".
In January, I began searching dog rescue sites on the net, not with the intention of
expanding our family with another furry baby, but to make a donation in memory of Benny.
After searching so many sites, and becoming overwhelmed by the amount of dogs in search
of a forever home, I knew I wanted to open my heart and home to a new dog. I was ready
to take that step and experience the new adventures that each dog brings and create new
memories and share all the love we have to give.
Then I discovered the Pit Bulls For Life website. Having had experience with pit bulls in the
past, and knowing the misconceptions of the breed, we felt compelled to welcome one of
these beautiful dogs into our home.
As it turned out, the first dog we inquired about, would not have been a suitable match
for our home. It was important to us that we were matched with a dog right for us, and
us right for the dog. We asked that we be kept in mind should an appropriate match
come along. And come along she did! Just a few short days after our first inquiry, we
received a call from PBFL, regarding a lil’ gal named Gucci, whom we have renamed
Abby! She was brought into the program from the Red Deer region, after having suffered
a broken leg. Her previous owner was kind enough to take her to the vet and put a
substantial down payment on her leg surgery. However, he never returned to claim her.
for our home. It was important to us that we were matched with a dog right for us, and
us right for the dog. We asked that we be kept in mind should an appropriate match
come along. And come along she did! Just a few short days after our first inquiry, we
received a call from PBFL, regarding a lil’ gal named Gucci, whom we have renamed
Abby! She was brought into the program from the Red Deer region, after having suffered
a broken leg. Her previous owner was kind enough to take her to the vet and put a
substantial down payment on her leg surgery. However, he never returned to claim her.
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