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This
is Kip's Story (he was adopted 9-24-00):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In September of 1999, the story of Kip, AKA Big Boy, was made public. He was a victim of the usual hysteria and misconceptions surrounding
"ex fighting dogs". Kip was on "doggie death row"
after spending almost 2 years locked in a cell, with little or
no human contact, waiting for the end of his owners' court case,
because he had been in used in a fight with another dog.
Kip's
case became public when I saw the following article in the Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette on 8-19-99:
***
Available to a good home: Full-grown killer pit bull. Dangerous,
especially to children or other animals. Soon to be destroyed if not
adopted.......The dog needs to be put to sleep, said the Animal Rescue
League, which has housed the unnamed animal since police found it mauling
another dog in Garfield March 1, 1998. "It's a danger," said Tim Crum, the shelter's
director of development and public relations."It's a detriment to the
public. He is not adoptable. Oh my God, no." ****
Thankfully,
Kip had a lot of friends in high places rooting for him, and with much
effort over several long weeks, they were able to get court orders to
secure Kip's release from his prison, to be sent to Spindletop Refuge in
Houston Texas. There Leah Purcell would begin to work with him, and
prepare him to be adopted and have the home he had been denied for so
long. Kip arrived in Texas in November of 1999, where his first item of
business was to RUN freely around the play yard until he dropped--
something he hadn't been able to do for almost 2 years. You can see the
stories of his travels here: http://www.post-gazette.com/pets/19991027spet.asp
and http://www.post-gazette.com/pets/19991208spet.asp .
Now,
we have some long-awaited news to announce! Kip has finally found his
FOREVER home! On 9-24-00, Kip
went to live with a Texas family,
including 2 young children - a 4
year old girl and a 3 year old boy.
Leah reports that on the day they
came out, the little boy was very shy but the little girl took to Kip immediately . Leah showed her how
to walk him and taught her his commands. He listened to everything
she told him and followed every command. He was very gentle and content with the children.
Kip has now been in their home for almost a month, and they are all quite
happy together!
Here
is a small portion of an email Kip's new "mom" sent me: "I
love this dog! Me, Curtis, McKenzie (my 4 yr old daughter) and Drew (my 3
yr old son) just think he hung the moon. He's adjusted to being here like
I never thought possible. No one can believe how short of a time he's been
with us. He's truly a blessing to us and a member of the family. I
wouldn't trade this dog for the world. ....He also LOVES apples sliced and
cubed, he likes cream gravy, strawberry cheesecake is his FAVORITE and on
occasion he gets a small amount of ice cream. He likes raisins, fried
chicken (shredded, off the bone)and peanut butter cookies. There isn't a
whole lot that I eat that he doesn't share with me...needless to say the
diet he is on isn't going to well..... He is such a good dog! I wish the
people that knew him then could see him now! I tell people he went from
caged killer to king of the couch! "
Kip's
picture with his new family is attached- you can see the big smile on his
face.
Killer pit bull, indeed!
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Although
Kip is now safe and secure, there are many other residents at Spindletop
that haven't had their chance at a permanent home yet. Leah has placed
approximately 350 dogs in the past 15 years (mosly APBTs and AST's and
mixes, but a few other breeds occasionally). There are currently over 80
dogs there waiting for homes, and donations are the only way they can keep
their doors open to help dogs like Kip. You can make a donation on their
website below, or sponsor a particular "orphan". Think of them
when you are making holiday donations!
To contact Spindletop directly:
Leah
D. Purcell
Spindletop
APBT/AST Refuge
Houston,
Texas
713-856-6246
501
(c) (3) Fed ID
11-3261963
Spindletop
American Pit Bull
& Staffordshire Terrier Refuge
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