'Mean' shelter dog completely transforms after one person's act of kindness

Karri McCreary, a veterinarian and animal rescuer at Vet Ranch, says that although many dogs who are surrendered to shelters are scared and confused, it seems to be worse for certain breeds. "Bully breeds," such as much maligned pit bulls, suffer more than other dogs because they are perceived as vicious. Rarely is that the truth.
Because of Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), many of the so-called fighting dogs, such as those that typically comprise the pit bull class of dogs, have been banned from communities. These include American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers and English bull terriers. Sometimes it applies to dogs that simply resemble them.
Advertisement
Big Boo, a resident of Greenville, Texas, is one of those dogs. Because he resembles the breeds most discriminated against, he was left in a shelter, alone and afraid. But Vet Ranch veterinarian Karri McCreary wasn't afraid of him. She brought him a bed and a blanket, and in doing so, transformed his demeanor from sad to happy.
Exuberant to know that someone still cared about him, he changed completely from that act of kindness. McCreary told his story on her Facebook page and found Big Boo a "furever" home.
"Today I gave a big, tough bully a blanket and a bed. He played with it then he wadded it up and cuddled it. This big boy has been here for weeks and gotten no love. #giveabullyabed #justasnugglebear," McCreary wrote on her Facebook page.
Unfortunately, many other pit bulls end up euthanized simply for being the breed they are. BSL isn't even effective, according to the ASPCA. There is no evidence that breed-specific laws make communities safer for people or companion animals, says their website.
Thanks to people like Dr. Karri McCreary, some dogs are finding new homes and proving just how loving and appreciative they can be.​
Advertisement
Talk to your friends and see if they agree that shelter pets need love, too. You can donate blankets, dog food and time to these needy animals. And the next time you're thinking about getting a new dog, think "Adopt, don't shop!"