Sheba, Our Surprise New Addition to our Rescued Brood!

[Brian L Porter]

We went to the dog pound today to pass on our seasonal greetings to our friends there and we had a look around while we were there. They'd had so many dogs in over Christmas that they were even using the stables as overflow accommodation! Someone had even left a beautiful Saluki tied to their gates on Christmas Eve. They only found it by chance at 11 p.m. so the poor thing could have been out there all night if the owner of the kennels hadn't gone for a last look round the place before bed. Some people should be hung!

Anyway, as we were looking around we saw a starved, undersized little Staffordshire Bull Terrier girl who was almost bald. Kay, the owner's daughter told us they'd had her for over two weeks and she was much thinner when she first arrived. They had treated her for her skin problems and at least her fur had now begun to grow back. Apparently when she first arrived all her skin was red raw and full of sores. She said that because of the dog's appearance and general condition they had no hope of anyone wanting to adopt her for the usual adoption fee (£110, or around $175), and she said we could have her for nothing if we were prepared to offer her a good home, which she knew we would do. So, a few minutes later, we loaded her into the car and she is now at home with us. She's had a walk and her tea, and Juliet has just given her a bath. We've called her Sheba, which we thought was a nice regal name for our puny but noble new addition. She's only about a third of the size an adult Staffy should be and she is very good natured. All the others have accepted her right away, (even big, bad Dexter...hehe) I've attached some photos I took when we got her home. Hope you like her and that the state of her doesn't upset you too much. We'll soon turn her round with lots of love and care.

[Brian L Porter]

Hi Jacque,

Thanks for those nice words about Sheba. She is now fine with our other 11 dogs but is very wary of dogs she meets outside the home. It will take time and when she's well I'll take her to training and socializing classes, but in the meantime her health is the important thing, and yes, she loves the kids and me and my wife so much already.

[JACQUE]

OMGosh Brian! She looks sooo sweet! God bless her! And you too! My sister has one that has very sadly been mourning my grandmother's death since November. She is the sweetest dog ever with the elderly and gentle as a lamb! I bet Sheba will be too! They become very attached and loyal to their loved ones. God bless you and your family again for taking her in!!! The shape you got her in just makes me cry...that poor poor baby.

[Brian L Porter]

It really is terrible Karen. As the old saying goes, "There are no bad dogs, only bad owners!" It's possible to have a vicious poodle if it's trained to behave that way, and equally it's possible to have gentle mastiff or nay other breed. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is noted for its faithfulness and loyalty and its gentleness towards children, and yet certain criminal elements have used them to create so-called 'weapon dogs' and have totally tarnished the breed's reputation. I wish people would apply some common sense to this issue. Here's a picture of our Dexter, who is half Staffy and half Labrador and is the gentlest and most cuddly and lovable beast on the planet. He's even afraid of our little Jack Russel, Sally who nips and bites him in play all day ling and he just runs and hides in his bed...hehe

[Brian L Porter]

Hello Karen,

Over here in the UK they banned the Pit Bull Terrier a few years ago but not the Staffy which is actually a very mild mannered dog unless 'turned' the other way by reckless owners. I can only imagine the heartache such a move must have led to over there in Canada. Is it nationwide or local to Ontario?
Little Sheba is so small and undersized she's barely much bigger than out two Jack Russells.

Best wishes

Brian