Rodney Steps Out

Talk about your rough beginnings!  Rodney, a Staffordshire/chow mix (read pit-bull), was abandoned, tied to a tree in a public park in Cincinnati.  He had been cruelly trained as a fighting dog and left to face certain death.  Pits are illegal in Cincinnati and are dispatched
quickly.  We suspect now that Rodney probably didn't want to fight.  That's why he was left to face death--alone and frightened.

Just in time, though, a kind woman saved Rodney.  She brought him to her northern Kentucky home and called Home At Last.  We got busy and built a special "yard" for Rodney, where he lived alone for six months.  Of course, he got nice walks and a lot of attention, but we were simply afraid to mix him with other dogs.

As our "special needs" area was expanded to allow room for more dogs, it became apparent that Rodney was ready for companionship (we hoped!). Nervously, we watched the getting acquainted process come off without a hitch.  No fights, no snarls, no territorial disputes...just four HAPPY dogs.

It makes us glad almost beyond belief to see Rodney with his own pack: Bonnie, a huge shepherd still slightly favoring a broken leg; Savannah, a deaf and half-blind Aussie; and White Dog, Savannah's boyfriend who, unfortunately has a taste for goats and pigs. What a
crew!  And do they ever enjoy their huge new digs!

Rodney (and his mates) are happy, healthy, and have proven once again that dogs can overcome the most wretched conditions if they're given enough time and love...especially love.

P.S.  You can read more about Rodney in the July/August issue of BEST FRIENDS MAGAZINE, pg. 20.  "He really didn't mean it!"