Spring 2005

I received a call from a volunteer at a shelter -- they had three pit bull puppies from a drug raid and the shelter tried to place them, coming up with poor applicants --

-- so, the puppies were slated for euthnasia.

Well, these three brothers, Onyx, Plato and Turtle didn't deserve that, so I offered help.

At left is Plato (now Diesel), whose only real problem was that he came from the shelter with too long of nails - !!

So, the boys were neutered and socialized --

-- plus their placement was integrated with a NYC litter that I was placing, so they came along to a puppy party with us.

These puppy parties are "meet and greets", where people who have already applied get to meet the pups before adoption.

This is a critical step, to me. With these meetings, the prospective applicants are able to meet the dog, play with it and observe it -- and then to go home and sleep on the decision. Also, I get to evaluate the prospect from their interactions with the pup. After that, if all's green, is the home visit.

I prefer this prolonged process over the quickie "I was going to PetSmart and saw the rescue on the sidewalk, so I got a puppy too" --

-- dog ownership is not an impulse-buy, and for the benefit of the pup, I like a long, throrough process which rewards the best of adopters!

Here's little Diesel warming up to Kate and her brother -- sort of saying,

"I'm just like you" --

- and Kate says,

"Um, no you're NOT -- !!"

So, the boys retreat to playing with themselves --

-- here's Turtle on the left, Onyx on the middle and Diesel on the right.

Before long, the brothers got placed in to great homes -- here's Turtle at his roost --

-- this is one of my favorite photos -- it captures something that I love.

You can find Ony's placement here, and Turtle's placement here!

And finally, Diesel gets his due -- !!

Just LOOK at the growth potential of this boy -- !!

Here's Diesel, meeting his dad, Mike.

His momma writes --

"Hi Eric, We just want to give you the biggest email hug in the world for bringing Diesel (who was  " Plato " the Philosopher) into our lives and for what you do for these fabulous animals. 

Mike and I have both not laughed as much as we did this past weekend, in years - what an amazing, smart boy we have."

"We think he's the best thing since sliced bread! In 2 1/2 days he has come such a long way and has had an active weekend with a lot of visitors - all our family in NY and friends.   ( I am sending you the email I sent out to all our family and friends today). "

Here, little Diesel says his "goodbyes" to Kate, whose story can be found here!

So, our boy is home --

-- and preparing this story last night and this morning, I realized what great adopters Natalie and Mike are --

-- they "get it" with their Diesel, treating him like a full member of the family, and socializing him to the fullest they can --

-- to me, there is no greater reward!

So, before goodbyes are said, Diesel runs his tongue down the mirror, just to see whether or not he'll get kicked out for such chicanery --

-- he didn't get the boot -- !!

And here's the family picture, with the parents and their newest --

-- and they love him so!

As I headed home, I wondered, "Well, they're a great home -- but how do you REALY KNOW?"

Well, you really know by follow-up with your adopters -- through pictures and writings -- and that's what we got -- !!

Nat writes --

" Introducing:

Diesel Pinto-Smith

15 weeks old - appx. 25 pounds

Red Brindle Coat - little Tiger stripes underneath and in the sun he looks like someone spray painted him gold.

Pit Bull Terrier.

Picture 1 - Friday, May 20th: First night, sleeping on a mat"

"Picture 2 - Saturday, May 21st: In my lap driving to Long Island to get his crate

He's a rescue dog from Smilin' Pit Bull Rescue in CT.  Anyone looking for one - look at the site www.spbr.org - this is one of the best private rescue guys out there - a real lover - Eric was great to work with to get Diesel.  He even came on a home visit before giving him to us and only after we sent in the 8 page application with references completed.  HEE HEE!"

• He's 95% potty trained in 2 1/2 days since we had him!!! yippee 

• Climbs up and down our 18 steps to go outside when he did not know how to climb at all"

• Has started learning to walk on his leash when a leash had never been put on him before Friday evening.

• Sleeps and plays in his crate."

• He's learning his commands already - albeit a little naughty still

• Waits at your feet in the kitchen hoping for a treat :-)"

Okay -- now I'm certain he has one of the best homes -- ever!

Here's a picture of Mike and Diesel in a quiet moment --

-- and I thought I was the only one who let my dogs kiss me -- !!

Here though, it looks like Diesel is letting Mike kiss him -- just once -- !!

-- and obviously, our little man is a ham --

-- here's Diesel's response to "pull my finger" -- !!

-- and here he is at 4 months --

-- and absolute beauty.

Mike and Nat even have Diesel socialized like a champ --

-- here he is with Mike's parents --

-- and here he is a month or so later, when he was getting BIG --

-- nobody had the heart to tell him, "Diesel, you're not a lap dog any more" --

-- so a lap-dog he stayed -- !!

-- and here we have the makings of a beer ad --

-- what more could one want -- his choice of beverage and his faithful friend -- !!

Here's our boy grown up even more --

-- Nat writes --

"Here's our loon Diesel at 6 1/2 months.  PIctures are from May/June when we got him to now...you'll see how he's grown....I zipped the file.

He's been a real treat and is the most loving dog in the world. 

Sitting under the table as I do this-he's taken to jumping up on my arm for attention so i can't type."

She adds --

" My Mom's dog of 18 years passed last month and Diesel's antics have certainly helped her with the transition and loss.  She walks him every now and then with me and generally is the doting Grandma to the dog since Mike and I don't have kids.  How did we exist without him....he's made me a better person.  We find its better to channel the love out than keep it bottled up :-)  We love him wholly and completely. 

I'm so glad I found you and your website.  I'm still hankering to get him company so maybe by next year we will be able to take another one in need of a home. "

This photo epitomizes Diesel's luck --

-- he is loved, and he is an integral part of this wonderful household.

-- and our boy is BIG -- and that's just fine by Mike and all --

-- you can see here that he still likes to play like a puppy!

The latest update --

-- a tiger.

What a handsome mug --

-- and WHAT PROUD DAD!

What a difference a year makes, little Diesel --

-- what a difference a year makes.

So, instead of seeing a menace in the picture to the left, you've shown many, many people what a joy and love to life you are --

-- and that itself speaks volumes!

When people hem and haw to me with thoughts like "you can't save them all" and "you're wasting your time", I happen to get a home as exceptional as yours --

-- and then I know that these folks don't know what a delight it is to help you get where you are today, and how happy it makes me to bring such joy and love in to Mike and Natalie's lives --

-- GREAT WORK, ALL!