It always seems that a lot of our long term residents end up being pitbulls or pitbull mixes.
That breaks my heart because these dogs are really good babies and deserve a second chance, but I think sometimes the breed tends to make people nervous.
I can understand it, but the three pitbulls we have in the shelter right now are sweethearts.
First, there’s Lou. He’s a big boy. He weighs 74 pounds! He came into the shelter as a stray in September 2024 and he’s still with us. Lou would do best in a home without cats and small children because of his energy level. He’s about 3 years old.
We know the right home is out there for Lou.
Then there’s Cleetus. He came into the shelter as a stray in November 2024. He’s a big guy, too, but a serious lovebug. He’s been out and about to various events and really enjoys meeting people. He’s about 3 years old.
In fact, at a recent event downtown a little girl came up to our tent and asked to pet Cleetus. She was probably four or five years old. She asked if he was a pitbull and we told her he was. She leaned down to his face and said to him, “Pitbulls aren’t bad dogs. It’s the people who mistreat them who are bad.”
Out of the mouths of babes.
We know Cleetus will find his forever home soon.
Calliope is another pitbull in our kennels who has been with us since November 2024, too. She’s around 2 years old and quite food motivated, but who isn’t? She’ll need a home with older children because her activity level might be too much for toddlers.
Calliope is another sweetheart who just needs a second chance.
I know the pitties can be strong, but oh my word, are they sweethearts. Their love and devotion can be legendary.
In fact, we adopted a pitbull out a few years ago who ended up going into a nursing home as a therapy dog.
We also adopted out a pitbull who went on the honeymoon with the couple who had adopted her!
Every time I see photos of pitbulls who we’ve adopted, I swear their faces look different. There’s a characteristic of these dogs called the pitbull smile. They often look like they’re actually smiling because their mouths can open so wide. You can see those smiles in the photos once they find their forever homes.
Just recently, I saw Lieutenant Dan, a pitbull mix who had been with us for a long while. He’d gotten adopted and I’m telling you, he looked like a different dog. He knew he was loved and he knew he had a home and it was almost like his entire demeanor had changed.
Pitbulls are incredibly sensitive creatures. I think that’s why kennel living is so difficult for them. They genuinely want to be around people and when they’re forced to live in a cage, I think it actually hurts them.
That’s why once they find a home they look different. I think there’s a literal transformation inside them.
Our pitties are good babies. Many of them are just utterly misunderstood by humans.
I know Lou, Cleetus and Calliope are waiting for that special happy ending story of their own. And they will have it thanks to all the people at CVAS who work so hard to give them exactly that.
Could you be the one to give these babies their second chance?
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Jennifer Vanderau is the Public Relations Coordinator for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and can be reached at [email protected]. The shelter accepts both monetary and pet supply donations. For more information, call the shelter at 717-263-5791 or visit the website www.cvas-pets.org. CVAS also operates a thrift store in Chambersburg. Help support the animals at the shelter by donating to or shopping at the store.
