I have had an experience with a rescue pit bull puppy from the my local humane society. Let me tell you I was not prepared or given the tools to handle her as she grew up. I had two other Dobermans in my house and understood the bigger breeds and their personalities. The dobies were 6 years old and the rescue Pitt Bella was 4 months old. Before she was 6months old I had some nasty bloody fights that involved stitches and hard feelings. It progressed for years with me trying to manage them all in separate rooms and gates......it finally came to a head and I had the very last fight that nearly ended a life....Bella's life. I finally gave up and went to the vet to put her down. I was getting worried that her dog aggressiveness was headed towards human aggression. A behaviorist talked to me and gave me some much needed support and insight into Bella. I never had a fight again in my home and Bella now gets along great with her siblings. Bella just turned 4.
SEPR and Ray helped me to narrow down my list to three dogs but they also said that I should look at all of the dogs when I came to the adoption event. I read up on all of my choices and I truly narrowed it down to two before I arrived. I was given a lot of information as a potential adopter before I arrived. From the type of kennel to the food I would need. I drove 5 hours to the event to find a new boy for my family. I was kind of crazy. I had over 30 questions to ask the foster dad. I sat down and started in on my questions.....I just watched Scotland as we talked. His foster dad was very open and honest. I bet we talked for 40mins. He was calm and relaxed and everything Bella needed. I got up and was going to go talk to Ray about Scotland. As I walked away Scotland jumped up and started to follow me and looked after me like he knew I was his mom. All of the foster families around us exclaimed "he wants to go with you!" I just knew he was absolutely my new boy! The adoption process was easy and before I knew it we were headed home. Our trip home was awesome as we bonded. It's been over 5 months and he is my love buddy. He has integrated so beautifully. Everything that SEPR prepared me for was what I expected. Ray checked on us that night, the next day and monthly either through texts, phone calls or facebook. I never felt alone or unprepared. I would highly recommend adopting from SEPR and please adopt an older dog! Participate in the SEPR facebook group. Follow their recommendations. ....they know their dogs and your needs better than you do. The dogs are in foster homes and socialized. They know their dogs personalities. Adopting from your humane society is a risk because you just don't know the dogs history or their temperament. I will be adopting again in the near future from SEPR. I love love love my Jake!
~ Bernadette C.