Name: Bliss - 5 y/o
How long has Bliss been in the family? Since late September 2016
Family Members: Catherine + Two other rescue dogs: an ultra enthusiastic lab/border collie mix - Hobie (9 yo) and a very independent corgi/Australian shepherd mix- Addie (12 yo)
Profession: Legal Recruiter (& wannabe dog rescuer)
Location: Atlanta, GA.
Nicknames: Blissie Petunia, Miss Sweet Potato Head, Blissie Blue & Miss Bliss (for formal occasions)
5 of the best words/phrases to describe Bliss?
- Super chill & relaxed
- Goofy - she does something that makes me laugh every day
- Affectionate Lapdog - with a big 'ole supersized head & adoring eyes
- The best snores that wake me up in the middle of the night & make me smile
- Outgoing, sweet, gentle soul
What makes Bliss unique? Of course, there are too many things to list here … her resemblance to Eeyore; her favorite place to sleep is in my 2.5 yr old niece’s car seat in my office.
One of Bliss's favorite lounging spots
Rescue Story: In 2015, I was introduced to my first pit when I found a stray in my new neighborhood. I didn’t think about what type of dog she was. I just knew she needed help. I tried to find her owner, with no luck. I knew this dog was special and wished I could keep her. But, she and my pups didn’t get along and had to be kept separated at all times. I found a wonderful home for her eight months later and still see her often. She is the reason I care so much about this breed. One year later, when I read Bliss’s story on Nextdoor, I couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Bliss was found in East Atlanta Village in August of 2016. Like most other strays, she was underweight, had no microchip, hadn’t been spayed, had had several litters of puppies, and was heartworm positive. The woman who found her fell in love with her but couldn’t keep her, so Bliss went to the DeKalb County Animal Shelter. She was in a kennel with three other pits and was terrified. She hid in the back, trying to disappear into the floor.
As a new volunteer at the shelter, I got to meet this pitiful girl named Bliss & I fell in love, too. The shelter staff and other volunteers also cared about her. But, sadly, she was shutting down in that environment, getting more depressed each day and was too stressed to eat. I tried to figure out how I could add another dog to my house, but decided it was too much.
All of us who were cheering for Bliss to find a forever home were ecstatic when a family planned to adopt her. They were leaving town for a few days, so I offered to foster Bliss until they returned. The adoption fell through, and there was no way I was sending her back to the shelter. I continued fostering her until Feb. 2017, when I finally admitted to myself that I couldn’t give her up. Bliss was part of the family that day I brought her home.
Bliss and I will be signing up for therapy dog classes soon, and I’m sure she’ll graduate at the top of her class!
Bliss at the shelter.
What is your favorite pastime as a family? Our guilty pleasure is lying on the floor on a sleeping bag and watching a Pit bulls & Parolees marathon.
What is life like since you rescued Bliss? My heart is full and my home is even happier with Bliss in it. I couldn’t imagine life without her. She is good for my two dogs, helping my nervous one learn to relax a bit and letting my small dog continue to think she’s the alpha. She teaches my friends, family and neighbors that pitties are amazing, big-hearted, loyal dogs that deserve a safe, loving home. And, her shelter name, “Bliss”, which I once thought was cheesy, has grown on me. It suits her. She lives up to her name each day.
Photographers Note: Catherine and I both work from home and live not too far from each other, so we were able to pull the photo shoot together on a Friday evening. The lighting was perfect and meeting Catherine and her pack was a great way to end the work week. Bliss just has the best personality. She is so laid back and her expression about 90% of the time is basically what you see in these photos. I told Catherine she has the perfect version of "RPF" - Resting Pit Face. Then, as soon as I got down on the ground, she came right over to stand in my lap and give me some love. The words that Catherine uses to describe here are perfect, she is a sweet and gentle soul. So happy, that her life on the streets led her to Catherine and a life of lounging on couches and sleeping in baby seats, where she is so loved.