The Great Pit Bull Search of 2016 (Update!)

Happy Friday Everyone!

Most of you guys are aware by now that my husband and have been looking for a sibling for our pit bull Gracie for a while now, trying and failing a number of times to find the right fit for our girl. It's been a disappointing and frustrating few months, with no shortage of tears and guilt at having to tell hardworking rescues that the dog we met with just wasn't a good match for our family.

We got so far as a trial adoption with one particular sweet boy back in February, but while the initial meet and greet seemed really promising and he and Gracie hit it off, once he was actually in our home his play style with her became increasingly rough, to the point where she was covered in welts and limping after just 2 days. While he was in no way aggressive, the situation continued to deteriorate despite our attempts at correcting the behavior, and I had to call the rescue to put an end to the trial. I felt like the worst sort of person because he was a wonderful dog overall, but Gracie is my first priority and I couldn't have her getting hurt just because I wanted a second dog in the home. The rescue took him back, albeit not without an impressive guilt trip that made me feel akin to someone who takes their dying dog to the shelter because they don't want to pay the medical bills, and he's since been adopted which makes me happy.

Fast forward two months and we're giving the search another go. I promised my husband I would give us a little break after the trial adoption and at least wait until after I got back from BEA next month to look again, but I failed that promise in spectacular fashion when I came across Mya. Once I saw her adorable face, I knew I had to at least write the rescue and get more information to see if she was of a temperament that would suit Gracie, and if it would even make sense for us to try a meet and greet. The rescue responded right away, but unfortunately the news was disappointing because we'd just missed her. She'd gone home with a family the day before I got in touch, and though I was thrilled she'd found a home of her own, I was surprisingly devastated because I had the same instant reaction to her that I did to Gracie when I saw her picture online the first time. I had hoped she might finally be the dog we'd been trying to find. *sobs*

A week later, however, the rescue called to say Mya was coming back because she needs to have another dog in the home, and while the family she was with was fantastic, they had no other pets and Mya just wasn't happy without a friend. MEANT TO BE YOU GUYS!!! To wrap up this exceedingly long story, we're off to meet Miss Mya today with Gracie in tow, and I'm so hoping they're as perfect a fit in reality as they seem to be on paper. *fingers crossed* I'll keep you guys posted!

Isn't she adorable? Look at that pittie smile!

UPDATE:

The meeting with Mya was fantastic! She's going to be joining our family next month when I get back from BEA. WOO HOO!

When we first arrived, the woman who's been fostering Mya for the better part of a year met us and told us to be prepared for her to be a bit wary of us, and that it would take her some time to warm up, especially to my husband. Mya had the great misfortune (as so many do) of being purchased by a dog fighter as a puppy, and when she wouldn't fight she was soundly beaten. As a result, she's very cautious around new people, and men in particular.

We walked in the yard with Gracie ready to let Mya run the meet and greet and come see us when she was ready, but to our great delight and the surprise of the foster mom, Mya bounded right over to me, gave me her paw to shake, and smothered me in kisses. It only took her a few minutes to do the same to Kevin, and for the next two hours she stayed largely by our sides.

Miss Gracie decided to turn into Dora the Explorer and was so fascinated by the foster mom's giant yard and all the new doggie smells that she couldn't concentrate on anything else. Mya was great with her though, and when Gracie showed little interest in playing in favor of smelling ALL THE THINGS, she backed right off and didn't push her the way the dogs we'd met with previously had. Gracie is an independent sort, but she's super playful too, and I know once Mya is here and Gracie isn't enamored of a new place, they'll be a great fit.

I'll be sure and do another post next month when we bring her home! A huge thank you to all of you for the encouraging comments, they meant the world:)

A pair of blue pitties!