I received the following from Heather --

" I am looking to surrender my 8-9 year old American Staffordshire terrier, Rudy, to a no kill shelter. She is great with people but dislikes other pets, outside of our other two pits. She is an escape artist, and we are unable to keep her contained in our fenced in yard, which is a problem because she does not like our neighbor's dog that is always tied outside."

"Our other two pits never get out of the yard but she always finds a way out, which is why we call her Rudini (like Houdini). Other than that she is content to sleep on the couch all day and be a bum. She has been crate trained so she doesn't get into mischif when we are not home. She has been diagnosed with type 2 cancer and recently had a mass removed from under her from armpit area.

Her vet tells me she could live another 4 years wihout a problem, which is why I would feel terrible about having to euthanize her. She also has Lyme disease which makes her rear legs rather stiff at times, but she gets around quite well. We have owned Rudy for about 5 years now, we took her in as a stray.

She is spayed, although we do not have a spay certificate because we took her in as a stray, but she has not gone into heat in the 5 years we have had her. She really is a wonderful dog but we cannot keep her."

"We have been unable to find a suitable home for her due to her age, condition and escaping issues. She is also up to date on her vaccinations. 

If you or anyone you know would be able to give her a good home or has a no kill shelter with space available, please let me know, I would really appreciate it. Thanks a lot. Heather"

So, it looks to me like Rudy is being surrendered because of Heather's inability to keep her contained in her fenced yard.

Rudy is obviously a sweet-heart from her pictures and story, and she has had a very difficult life, being a stray, and now suffering from Lyme disease and cancer.

Lyme disease is treatable, with doxycycline, as well as cancer is treatable, or is eased in its severity, through treatment.

Also, a second opinion from other vets would likely stop the vaccination regimen this girl is getting, seeing she's a senior, and is living with cancer.

Can you help? If you can't adopt this girl, can you at least foster her? If you can't foster her, can you think of sponsoring her?

These are sad stories to read, and we can at least help by easing this girl's pain.

Thank you for reading Rudy's plea!