Home

My humans! They came for me! Out to the play area we went and I kissed like I'd never kissed before and wagged my tail until I thought it would fly right off. They seemed uncertain but I knew right away. They were mine. All mine. I heard them telling my servant about a dog named Teddy and how they missed him. And in Teddy's memory they wanted to adopt another dog, a dog that needed a good home. A dog that might not find a home. Me, me! That's me! I barked at them. See any other takers around here? I asked. So that was how I found myself jumping up into a pick-up truck. It was the best ride ever. I was petted, cuddled, and snuggled all the way home. I loved it! By time we got to my new home, I had a new name. Clare. Which means light. I was so excited - and so scared! Adventures awaited!

No pit bulls

Ha! Did you think that was the end of me? It probably would have been had not one morning I spied 2 women walking by the kennels slowly, looking carefully at each dog within. "We don't want a pit bull" one said, startled at the number of my fellow pit bulls who were my neighbors. And then I recognized them! They had come for me! But why were they taking that puppy out to the play area? No, no! Here I am! I barked. You don't want that cute puppy. You came for me! I jumped up on the kennel to get their attention but they were oblivious. After a few moments the puppy was returned to his kennel and I got so excited. Me! Me! Here I am! You can imagine my horror when a huge brawny pit bull was taken out next. But all this guy wanted to do was play with his toys and he too was soon returned to his kennel. "He's too strong for us," one remarked, ashen faced. Finally they stopped in front of my kennel. "How about that one?" Mom pointed at me. Yes, yes! I barked. What took you so long?

Last Days

What happened next, you're asking. It's all a blank. But when I was returned to my cage feeling all wobbly and weak, my babies had vanished. Very mysterious. Not that I was so eager to be a mom. 10 months old is a bit young for motherhood, even for a dog. Everyone was shocked to see me again, and the sad brown-eyed pit bull perked up. Where did they think I was going? As I figured out in subsequent days, those strange people walking by our kennels all day long, back and forth, were there for us to choose from. People who were hoping one of us would pick them for our Family. Who knew? I wasn't interested in going home with strangers. I was waiting for My Guy to come and get me as I knew he would. We were Best Buddies and I was sure he was looking for me. As the days dragged I started to feel a tension in the air. "Hope you find a home soon, Tinker", the staff would say to me. "You can't stay here forever. The place is pretty full."

Dead Dog Walking

OK, time to interrupt this meander down memory lane for a confession.  I love people.  I love the smell of them, the taste of the warm salt on their skin, the warmth of their bodies near to mine, their touch on my fur.  I am a people dog.  People, people, people. Just love the people.  So this whole shelter thing turned out to be way better than first impressions. Because boy, were there a lot of people now.  People examining me, people feeding me, people cleaning my kennel, people taking me for little walks, and strangely, people shuffling by and staring at me through the bars. What was up with that?  The first day I gave so many kisses my tongue got chapped.  After awhile, I am thinking to myself this isn't so bad after all.  Although I could have used a blanket or two to keep out the Autumn chill.  Remember that, you people who have extra blankets.  Your shelter needs them!  Now back to me, a few days after arriving, I was abruptly taken out of my kennel and marched down the row of caged dogs, each with his own observation.  Too bad you're not a cute chihuahua like me! one snickered as if he knew something I didn't.  You should have been born a yellow lab, a yellow lab sighed.  Don't worry, they say it doesn't hurt, comforted a stocky pit bull with sad brown eyes. It'll be my turn soon, he added.  Turn for what? I wondered.  

Kisses for the world

You must be on the edge of your seat. What happened next, Clare – you’re asking. Did anyone stop to comfort you? Did they offer you a bowl of water or a puppy biscuit? A reassuring pat on the head or kind words? The only thing that came my way that day was a catch pole which tightened around my neck as I was dragged kicking and clawing into a small barred cage in the back of a truck. The cage smelled of hundreds of scared and sick dogs. It was dark and cold and slimy. We barely drove a mile when I saw the sky again as I was pulled out of the truck and plopped on the ground in front of a low-roofed building. I shook from fear. Dozens of dogs were barking, the sound ricocheting from the plastered walls into the row of cars parked in front and back again to the dogs. As they led me past the row of caged dogs, their frantic barks all tapped out the same greeting – you’ve come to the end of the road, pit bull. Kiss the world good-bye.

Pit Bulls Are Bad

Darn if I know where my story begins. One moment I am the happiest dog in the world, cruising down the road, head hanging out the window, my cute ears flapping in the foggy breeze of Lompoc. This is heaven, I am purring to myself, silly grin plastered on my snout. Next moment, boom! Door clicks open, familiar hands shove me out. I hit the gravel of a Wal-Mart parking lot with a yelp. Hey! I am pregnant here! (uh...have I mentioned that?) What do you think you’re doing? Lose something? Startled strangers gasp at my abrupt appearance, then stare at me and point. Am I embarrassed or what? I run as fast as I can to catch up to My Guy but those babies bouncing in my stomach slow me down. Then – he’s gone. Abandoned at Wal-Mart, not a year old and babies due any day. Could it be more humiliating? Oh yeah – pit bulls are real bad.

I started the stupid blog, Mom. Can I have my piggy ear now?

I am a dog. I live in Santa Ynez, California. Where the temperature is 111 degrees in the shade and it's so dry that my fur, the length of a Marine haircut, stands on end like 2-day stubble. You probably think my life is one of leisure and tummy rubs, filled with long naps on the sofa with an occasional break for a meal. A dog's life. Right? Not exactly. Because I am a PIT BULL! Ooooohh. Scary pit bull. And this is my story.