I volunteered to foster dogs at my local animal shelter. I got a call and was asked if I could foster a special-needs dog and her litter of tiny puppies until they were old enough to adopt out. She is an American Staffordshire Terrier, looks like a pit bull. I was somewhat afraid of pit bulls from all of the attacks I heard of in the media.
Violet had been seized, along with 6 other dogs, from a breeder. This was her third litter of puppies and she was only 2 years old. The worker who delivered them to me said to be careful of my other dog, and that she was very aggressive with her dogs. As soon as she left, Violet jumped the baby gate and I was afraid of what would happen! Next thing I know, the two of them are running around the house together. I opened the sliding door to the back yard and they ran around the back yard together. They bonded immediately.
When it came time for them to take the puppies to a Pit Bull shelter up in northern Oregon, I couldn't stand the thought of Violet being stuck in a shelter for who knows how long. So I adopted her. She is a really good girl and a total love bug.
2 weeks after I kept her, it was time for my homeowners insurance to renew. I got a letter in the mail that they had driven by my home and saw a "bully breed" in my window so they canceled my insurance. My insurance broker found a company that would cover me but the price more than doubled. Can you say discrimination?! I found out that my car insurance company would cover my home with no dog discrimination and it cost less than the previous company I had paid in full for a full year! Win/win situation. :)
CRESCENT CITY, CA
