Adoption Success: Fitz!
Today we’re celebrating the adoption or our handsome bully boy, Fitz.
Fitz was rescued when one of our SC volunteers saw him run across the road on a rural stretch of highway. He was injured and terrified when she stopped to help, but she was able to convince him to trust her and took him straight to our vet. Fitz had been attacked by something – we don’t know whether it was another dog, an animal, or if he had been a bait dog for dogfighting, but he instantly connected to people and let us help him. He was very patient and sweet while the vet cleaned his wounds, but also very thin and depleted. He needed time to heal, both physically and mentally.
Fitz came to N. VA in early January 2018 and was fortunate to move in with two of our most dedicated foster parents, MK and Bryan. They committed to rehabilitating Fitz and worked with our favorite trainers @BlueRidgeCanine to help him become a good canine citizen. We discovered that Fitz was fearful of other dogs on the walk and was leash reactive, barking and lunging to defend himself from what he perceived to be danger. After months of training and nurturing form his foster parents, Fitz made an incredible turnaround, and was able to calmly walk by and sit near other dogs. He was ready to go home, but needed a savvy, dedicated adopter to continue his training.
In October, Fitz found his awesome new family, and is living in Arlington. He has a work-from-home mom, a big fenced yard to romp in, a teen son and dad who adore him, and is living a very spoiled life. Fitz’s new dad, Breck sent us this awesome update:
Fitz is already a perfect companion. He is very stealthy and no matter where you look there he is! If you want to know where the best pillows in the house are just look for Fitzie! He really does love to build pillow forts around himself. Gloria has tried moving the “expensive” pillows but Fitz always finds them. He has stuck to my son like glue and loves it when all the teenagers come over to watch movies. He loves his favorite noisy ball and destroying Amazon boxes. He has become the center of our family way faster than we ever would have imagined, and we love him.
He is fabulous with kids and visitors and really only barks at the mailman (how cliché!) and Boots (the neighbor’s black cat). Fitz is an amazing jumper and jumped right into our bed the first night — there was no keeping him out even if we wanted. Hey typically snuggles with us for an hour or so, and then moves to the foot of the bed where he can stretch out. He is definitely NOT a morning doggie and likes to sleep in until HE is ready for the morning walk. And if I get up in the middle of the night, he goes straight for MY pillow!!
Fitz clearly LOVES having a back yard to play in and catch some rays. He pretty much has free access to the back yard during the day and takes full advantage when it is sunny! There is a small porch in front of our “Shack” (a detached garage that has been converted to a hangout space) that he loves to lay down on and sun himself. He also loves it when Cullen’s friends come over and he is the center of attention. He fancies himself “one of the guys” and loves to lay on the sofa or hang out in the Shack with guys and girls.
Fitz has already completely stolen our hearts!!!!
Thank you to everyone who played a role in Fitz’s long journey: his incredible foster parents, MK & Bryan, who worked with him and stayed committed for 10 months, @Dirty Paw Photography for the incredible pics that got Fitz noticed, and to Alexa @BlueRidgeCanine who helped transform him into a wonderful, adoptable dog.
