Here is Ajax, a 1-1/2 year old boy looking for a new home --

-- he is a medium build, and is quite handsome --

-- but that's only part of his story...

... you see, Ajax came to SPBR with his mother and litter over a year ago --

-- he was placed with a family, and all the proper steps were taken to ensure a great home --

-- an application, a "look see" visit on their side, and a home visit by me -- accompanied by a veterinarian who approved of the home.

Here is is at the right, as a baby -- and his home is here.

A year after his placement, the family called back to say things weren't working out, and that Ajax had to go.

I was in a bind. I was full, and had nowhere for him to go.

Thankfully, Corey in DC offered to foster Ajax -- amongst my pleas for a great foster home for this adult male with "issues", Corey was the only one to help -- and for that I am thankful.

For those who say rescue is "easy" or a "cash cow" or a "cinch", I say read Ajax's story, and then tell me how "easy" it is --

-- it's not so easy and is instead an emotional roller coaster -- but Corey's commitment to this boy made all the world of difference to him.

Corey writes --

"Ajax is a neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped male.  He is between 1 & 2 years old and is a boxer /pit bull mix.  He has displayed no signs of dog aggression or prey drive in daily interactions with female and male dogs or my cat.  He is housetrained and crate trained. 

In the car he enjoys barking at anything, especially bicycles! He is very food motivated (He even loves raw vegetables!) and eager to please and is extremely responsive to training."

"Ajax was an owner surrender.  The family had several children and complained that Ajax was displaying signs of aggression with the children.  I agreed to foster Ajax, expecting to find a dog that was dominant aggressive, but instead found a dog that was hand-shy and timid. 

So timid that he would growl when I tried to touch him.  These are signs of mistreatment and I decided to just give Ajax a lot of TLC and he has blossomed greatly in our 5 months together."

He is now very affectionate with me and enjoys car rides, running and rough play with his favorite lady, Karma (my other foster.) I have attended a local adoption events several times with Ajax and overall he responded wonderfully.

He is a very affectionate boy, but does feel uncomfortable 5% of the time when a stranger pets him. I strongly feel that this is merely a moment of apprehension due to his difficult past and that Ajax has a sound temperament.

I believe Ajax should be adopted out to a home without small children and preferably a home with a compatible female canine companion.

Ajax is a very vulnerable boy due to his unfortunate past and deserves only the very best! I truly hope there is an understanding and gentle family out there that will fill Ajax's life with love and show him once and for all that people can be trusted.