"We have a lab mix M 2 yr black/white here that has been here since Sep 29 and really needs a home.
He was given up because of cost. He gets along with other dogs, loves to play with a tennis ball loves to give kisses and make you happy, very loving and everyone is in love with him in the kennel. This is a super dog and really would like to see him get out of here and into a new home. He has a big head and loves to play and be petted."
Even though in the picture he looked old and meek and part of the description odd (big head??), we felt that there was something passionate in his eyes and could tell there was something special about him. The expression on his face giving a sweet and loving plea to give him a good home and the words of admirers who enjoyed his company. The first time my husband laid eyes on this picture he said, "He looks like a Jake".
So we began asking questions as we have cats and wanted to make sure he would be the right fit for our home and lifestyle. Somewhere it was slipped in that the other part of the lab mix was Pit Bull, which concerned me. He had two previous owners and the most recent had given him up because they could not afford to properly care for him. We kept hearing such amazing things about him. That he was a shelter favorite and he was supposed to be put down a week prior but they were giving him one more week. One of my Mom's contacts had this to say" He sounds like a fantastic dog. For the shelter staff to all love him says a lot about him considering how many dogs cross their paths – plus they’ve kept him a lot longer than normal which I think also is a reflection of how great a dog they must think he is." So I got over myself and my preconceived notions about Pit Bulls. I decided to listen to my husband who told me he had several wonderful Pit Bulls throughout his childhood. I needed to see for myself and make a decision based on the dog not arbitrary traits which go along with the Pit Bull label.
So a meeting was arranged for that Friday, the day after Thanksgiving at the Montgomery County Humane Society. We went to his kennel and noticed he was polite and quiet while numerous dogs around him were barking and carrying on in the background. His cage was clean and free of excrement. I could not say the same for the majority of the other dogs there; the smell was horrible. They got him out of the kennel for us and we went to an enclosed area outside.
It was our first opportunity to interact with him and he was ready to show is what a great dog he is. He ran around and played and bounded and barked at a nearby rooster ... it was love at first sight. He was our Jake and he was coming home with us that day!
Jake was very thin when we brought him home. He had "happy tail" which is a bloody and raw spot on his tail from wagging it a lot and slamming against the bars of the kennel. After seeing the vet, we discovered he also had an eye and ear infection which we treated immediately. This poor soul was ready for a good home and a lot of love!
