Name: Chance - 6 y/o
Family Members: Parents - Jimmy & Katie. fur-siblings – Charlie, Otter & Hogan
How long has Chance been in the family? Just over a year. We started fostering in May 2017 and foster failed in June.
Profession: Katie: Rescue Coordinator at DeKalb County Animal Services – LifeLine Animal Project
Location: Buford, GA.
Nicknames: Chancey, Honey Bear, Buddy
5 words/phrases that best describe Chance?
- Happy
- Courageous
- Independent
- Resilient
- Unstoppable
What makes Chance unique? Chance has three legs, but that has never once slowed him down. In fact, he moves quicker on three legs than he ever did when I knew him on four.
Comfy Spot
Rescue Story: I found Chance after working at DCAS (the old shelter) for about four weeks. When I started working there, I promised myself I wouldn't be bringing any dogs home. Chance broke my heart the moment I saw him. He was pushed so hard into a corner of the run that his face was bleeding. He had wounds and scars all over his face and body and would not walk. I took him into the office where he sat in my lap for two hours shaking. I advocated for him for days, but nobody was really interested in a dog that shut down. Chance stopped eating so I spent the next few days sitting in his kennel trying to feed him cheeseburgers, hot dogs rotisserie chicken, french fries... Anything I could find, yet nothing would work. I finally broke down and said I would take him home for the weekend, just so he could get a good night's sleep and some food in him.
Long story short -
The weekend passed and we had agreed to foster him through his heartworm treatment. He started getting more comfortable with us and moving around more and we realized he wasn't using one of his back legs. He went for x-rays where we found out that he had been shot and his leg was broken, and had been re-healing for anywhere from 6-8 months. He would need an amputation. Once we found that out, it was over, and he became a permanent part of our family.
We have had Chance for almost a year now and while he has his issues (he does not like to be touched, is difficult to leash, etc.), he remains the happiest, most gentle boy I have every brought into my home. About three weeks ago, he came up to me for pets for the first time. He is always smiling and his tail is always wagging. He 100% relies on his dog siblings to show him the ropes, and to this day, I still have not been able to take him anywhere without one of the other dogs.
Chance loves other dogs, but has never really played with them - Just likes to be around them. We recently added Otter, a 12 week old DCAS puppy, to our family; he and Chance play non-stop. Chance has also started playing with toys since Otter came home, and that is the first time he has ever shown any interest in them.
Every day I am amazed by his resilience. I don't know what happened to him in his past, and quite frankly I don't want to, but the important part is that I can control his future and there are nothing but amazing things going on from here.
From Shelter
To forever home
What is your favorite pastime as a family? Hiking and visiting breweries.
What is life like since you rescued Chance? It could not be better. Adopting Chance really put lots of things into perspective for me. It made me appreciate the small things – like when he laid his head on me for the first time, or the first time he willingly let me pet him – and it gave me a new outlook on truly being able to make a difference. Chance is a million miles from where he was this time last year, and continues to improve every day. I can’t wait to see how many years and memories are left in store for us.
Photographers Note: Katie had let me know before the shoot that Chance was shy and got his courage from his fur siblings. I wasn't going to be able to pet him or get too close. When I came into their home, he sat on his bed and just watched me and watched how his fur siblings interacted with me. Of course, I just wanted to run up to him and kiss that adorable face but I showed restraint and sat on the step snapping a few photos. Always keeping a comfortable distance so he didn't feel anxious. Chance has just the best pittie smile, I mean his lips actually turn up at the ends. I could have photographed him for hours!
As we walked down to the lake with the whole crew, I could see him get more comfortable. Walking back he even came up behind me and gave me a little bump with his nose. When a really shy dog, let's you know that they are starting to trust you a little, it is really just the best feeling in the world. I can not wait to see how this loved boy blossoms more and more, now that he is in the best forever home!