08/24/2025
Paw Parent received the most heartwarming update about Shorty, a Pitbull mix who got adopted in January. His adoption was facilitated by Rocky Kanaka who put Shorty’s story in one of his newsletters, that garnered a lot of interest and he ended up being adopted into the most amazing home.
Shorty came to us during the pandemic, when a rescue near us shut down and we were able to take him in. He was nine years old then. He was found as a stray when he was about two and spent 7 years at this rescue. He finally found his forever home in January. So without further ado here is the update:
“Hi Isabell,
Well, I’ve had Shorty a little over 6 months now so thought I would send you an update on “Life with Shorty”.
To begin with he has turned out to be the sweetest dog imaginable who loves people. He understands that anyone who comes to the house comes to visit with him and not me.
At first, he started out as the true “Velcro dog’ and that has only begun to change in the last month when he will go out and actually wander a small part of the property around the house by himself.
He has always had the run of the house and the 2 ½ acre fenced property, except for nighttime because of coyotes and other wildlife. Just a few days ago he decided it would be fun to go wading in the pond. I have no idea what the fish think of this large black and white fish.
As far as the house, he has pretty much learned what is his on the floor level and what is not. It is hilarious how he sniffs and examines everything, and I do mean everything. He will even try to climb into kitchen cabinets if he can fit. We have this agreement that my MukLuks are shared. When I am not wearing them, he can take them to one of his beds and have them there. He never chews on them. I have learned he is truly a member of the Bully breeds when he must give up something he shouldn’t have. Thank goodness all I have to do is offer a cookie and the trade is made.
He has a bed by the patio doors where he likes to look at the wildlife out in the yard, one in the kitchen because that is where I spend a lot of time, and his nighttime bed in my bedroom.
The housetraining took a while and caused my dining room carpet to now live in the garage, but now he totally has that concept down. It’s OK I never really liked that carpet anyway.
He’s one of the most enthusiastic eaters I have ever seen. Luckily, he isn’t quite as bad now as when he first came. His blood work showed his kidneys were not in the best condition so he is on Rx royal Canin kibble for Renal care. And because of his arthritis he is on Gallaprin. That seems to help him a lot. He wags his tail a lot more now.
Shorty prefers being an only child. He doesn’t seem to like other animals at all. But that is not a problem as he has plenty of room here. No need for the dog park.
All in all, we love having Shorty as part of the family. I hope he gets to live a good long time.”
We live for these kind of stories. This is what rescue is all about and keeps us going!❤️
