Virginia Paws for Pits

08/25/2024

I'm not sure that people are comprehending the URGENCY of finding a home for Kaz IMMEDIATELY. If we're unable to find a suitable home the only humane thing to do is put him to sleep and that's NOT OKAY WITH ME!!!!
Kaz was always dog/cat/kid friendly but literally EVERYTHING, EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE he's ever known was ripped away from him on August 4th and his life has been upside-down, backwards, and broken ever since. In November he will be EIGHT years old. During that time he was raised with 5 children and stayed in numerous homes with other pets when the family traveled. He has great potential to live peacefully with other pets but NOT RIGHT NOW!
He cannot be in boarding, and it has nothing to do with the funds, it's INHUMANE for him. He won't eat, he won't drink, he paces nonstop, he pants nonstop, he fence fights with other dogs. He is absolutely losing his mind and who can blame him.
I tried to take him on a long walk three different times on Wednesday after I picked him up from the shelter. He had zero desire to walk, he just kept trying to drag me back to the car so he could curl up in the front seat. He's terrified of being abandoned again. He's got the most soulful eyes and they at so broken. When I had to leave him in boarding he just kept jumping up and looking at me like, what did I do wrong? Why aren't you taking me home?
There is nothing wrong with this dog except that he's been FAILED by every human he's ever loved and he's so stressed out and confused that he does not know which way is up.
He needs a foster home with no other pets or someone with the capacity to keep him separated for a few weeks until he can decompress from everything he's been through this month.
If you have applied and not heard back, be patient with us please, we're doing our best. To foster or adopt we require that all resident pets are spayed, neutered, and up to date on vaccines.

08/24/2024

Craigsville VA

Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge is holding our next "No Empty Bowls" food truck event on Saturday, September 7th! We will be at the Craigsville Community Center at 18 Hidy Street, Craigsville, VA 24430 from 10am-12pm (or until supplies run out), handing out pet food, cat litter, leashes, and dog house bedding. (Items will vary by date and location.) Please share to get the word out!
To Volunteer: https://tinyurl.com/VolunteerSeptNEB
To Donate: https://tinyurl.com/SupportNoEmptyBowls

08/24/2024

Why do SO MANY people have pets that are not spayed or neutered?
I truly do not understand. Can someone explain it to me like I'm 5. Not only does it prevent "accidental" litters, but there are a PLETHORA of health and behavior benefits.
I've had to deny so many applications recently because resident pets aren't fixed and I genuinely DO NOT understand why.

08/23/2024

Yall poor Kaz just CAN'T catch a break, and he is so BROKEN.
Imagine a puppy growing up with a family, and five children to play with, and then p**f, one day grandma shows up and takes you with her. Everything, everywhere, everyone, you have ever known for almost EIGHT years, is ripped away from you in the blink of an eye.
Then imagine that this same grandma takes you to numerous places trying to dump you or have you killed. Not because you did anything wrong, but because you just weren't wanted anymore.
Finally you meet a nice lady that takes you on a long walk, takes your picture, and promises to find you a new family. The nice lady takes you to the vet for a checkup the next day and you are off on a long ride to a new home.
They also have 2 children for you to play with and a nice fenced in yard but then 💥 BOOM💥 they show up with another dog that was NOT LISTED on the application and does not like you. A fight happens and suddenly you're being loaded into another grandma's car, but this time she takes you to the shelter. The shelter is loud, and smelly, and scary. How did I end up here? What did I do wrong? Why doesn't anyone want me anymore?
After a few days in doggy jail, another lady shows up to bail you out and you embark on another THREE HOUR car ride. This time you're taken to a boarding facility, because despite what everyone seems to think, we don't have a magic wand and can't create a home the we don't have.
Shall I keep going???? At this point poor Kaz is so stressed out he's being reactive to other dogs. He needs an experienced foster that will give him several weeks to decompress and get on a routine before being SLOWLY and PROPERLY introduced to other animals. Our friends at Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge at going to take the lead on placement so please direct applications to their website. https://dogsdeservebetter-blueridge.org/foster-application

08/22/2024

Simba has literally been saved from an euthanasia date, not once, but TWICE!!!!
We think this little tater butt is the sweetest, goofiest, cutest thing this side of the Mississippi. Just look at that smile.
Simba has been in a professional board and train program for 3 months and HE'S READY to find a place to call home.
We're going to require THREE on site meet and greet and training sessions in Palmyra VA and then we're GIVING you an additional 3 months of weekly training to help Simba reach his full potential. All of this is thanks to our AMAZING partners at Rivanna K9 Services for giving Simba the chance he deserved.
Apply for Simba at https://vapawsforpits.wixsite.com/virginiapawsforpits/online-application

08/22/2024

Poor Noodle has come a Loooooooooong way since her days on the street, but she's still not quite ready for her forever home.... coming VERY SOON!
As soon as she's spayed and microchipped, she will be available. In the meantime, she's going to be looking for someone who needs a partner in crime, or an extra shadow, because she's a stage 5 clinger to her people.
Sweet needy Noodle would do best with a family who works from home or is retired. She's a super sweet little lady who loves napping upside down and long walks into the sunset.
We're looking for a sponsor for her spay surgery so that we can get it done sooner than later. Most of the low cost clinics in her area have REALLY long waiting lists and thr cost to have her spayed at a regular vet clinic is upwards of $400. Every little bit helps.
You can apply to become Noodles forever home here:
https://vapawsforpits.wixsite.com/virginiapawsforpits/online-application
✴️✴️Venmo ✴️✴️
✴️✴️Paypal [email protected] ✴️✴️

08/22/2024

Gator was brought to the vet as a tiny puppy with 2 severely broken legs and referred to an orthopedic specialist that his owner never took him to.
Fast forward a year and he was brought back to the same vet with one of his ears hanging off and a horrific infection that required immediate surgery.
The owner wanted him killed. He was not worth the money because he would not fight. The vet stepped in and asked the POS to surrender him. She did the surgery and they looked for a home or rescue for a year to no avail.
I saw a message about him being scheduled for euthanasia because they had run out of options. I asked for details, photos, and some time. They gave all three and within a week we had an approved foster.
He's now been in our program for 6 months now and we still aren't even halfway to the 10k needed for his surgeries. One step forward is always three steps back.
✴️✴️Venmo is ✴️✴️
✴️✴️Paypal is [email protected]✴️✴️

08/22/2024

At one point his "mommy" posted pics online bragging about her fur kids and dressing them up in cute costumes. Then his "mommy" had a human child and he took the backseat, well actually, the backyard. He got booted out of the house and a few months later he was surrendered to the shelter (top Left photo).... for getting in a fight with the other dog OVER FOOD.
Do you see that photo?!?!?! I would be fighting for my food too if I looked like that. On top of the "dog fight" the dad was bit by one of the dogs in the process so now he's got a "bite history" and he does not trust other dogs.
Zeus loves cats, he is a level 10 snuggle bug, and he loves his tennis balls. He likes to go with the flow. If your hiking or running, he will be happy to join in. If you're having a lazy day on the couch, he's gonna be right there beside you.
Apply for Zeus at https://vapawsforpits.wixsite.com/virginiapawsforpits/online-application

08/22/2024

From almost dead in the Rio Grande Valley with a severe pr*****ed re**um to the Shenandoah Valley with a dream of finding a place to call home.
Astrid has grown up in our program and we simply can't understand why. We have gotten a few applications but none of them have been the right fit for her.
She's dog friendly, cat friendly, kid friendly, housebroken, crate trained, spayed, fully vaccinated, compact, and READY to find a place to call home. https://vapawsforpits.wixsite.com/virginiapawsforpits/online-application

08/22/2024

Im seriously contemplating if I can, or even want to, keep my rescue program going.
I'm TIRED, tired of doing it ALL my myself. Tired of the excuses. Tired of the neglect. Tired of the abuse. Tired of animal control not doing their job. Tired of people dumping their pets. Tired of people thinking I have a magic wand. Tired of having to pick and choose what lives we can save. Tired of crying over the ones we can't. Tired of begging for money. Tired of begging for fosters. Tired of begging for help. Tired of taking one step forward and 6 steps back. Tired of caring so much, because so many people care so little. Tired of busting my ass and making no progress...... I'm just TIRED YALL!!!!!!
I have MULTIPLE dogs in the program that have been with us for OVER A YEAR and still aren't adopted. I have MULTIPLE dogs in the program with ongoing medical treatment and needed surgeries THAT WILL COST OVER 10K. I am still making payments on an emergency visit from 2 years ago and Bren's extensive treatment at VVS. I have dogs being returned after being adopted YEARS ago. I get nearly 100 texts, Facebook messages, phone calls, and emails DAILY from people who don't want their dog anymore and shelters begging me to save just one.
Everyday I feel like I'm drowning. I've asked for help but it just seems like because I'm the only one with anything invested in the program and dogs, that I'm the only one that feels "obligated" to do anything. We're one emergency away from having to throw in the towel.
I take the dogs that NO ONE ELSE will and try to give them the chance they deserve but I'm starting to feel like I can't even do that anymore. Every one of these pups is either available for adoption, or in need of sponsorship.
I need fosters, volunteers, adopters, sponsors, and prayers.

08/21/2024

💔💔💔EMERGENCY💔💔💔
Kaz has been failed AGAIN!!!
The first time, he was dumped in my front yard on August 6th by his adopters mother. He was adopted by that family in 2017 as an 8 week old puppy, he will be EIGHT in November. That was the only home or family he had ever known, they had five children, and their grandmother had spent the day driving around trying to find a vet that would just "kill him" 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️
MULTIPLE rescues and volunteers collaborated to keep him out of our local shelter and get him into a FOREVER home for his golden years. In less than 48 hours he was fully vetted, a home visit was done, references were checked, transport was coordinated, and he was delivered to what we thought was going to be his final home on the night of August 8th. It was a foster with intent to adopt, but they decided almost right away they wanted to finalize the adoption.
On Saturday August 17th I got a notification on the rescue page that the Stafford County Animal Shelter had just commented on his post. He had been dumped by his SECOND FAMILY. To make things even more complicated, she had lied about having NOT ONE, BUT TWO DOGS, that she must have hidden or sent to the in-laws house while our volunteer did their home visit. This time the reason he was dumped is because there was a dog fight.
We had NO IDEA there were 2 dogs in the home. Poor Kaz had not even been there for ten days after his WHOLE WORLD got ripped out from under him. While he's been going to doggy day care twice a week since he was a puppy, he's never actually lived with another dog and THAT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE in introductions, decompression time, and compatibility!!!!!!
I'll be leaving shortly after lunch today to make the round trip FIVE HOUR DRIVE to the shelter. Kaz will have to go into boarding and WE NEED TO FIND HIM A FOSTER OR ADOPTER ASAP.
He is beyond stressed out. He's not eating. He's having diarrhea from the stress. He's absolutely devastated and so are we. Anyone who can help in any capacity, please text me at 540-290-0690. You can apply to foster or adopt by clicking on this link. https://vapawsforpits.wixsite.com/virginiapawsforpits/online-application

08/16/2024

I drove over yesterday to visit with Simba and discuss a plan moving forward. I'm DELIGHTED to report that his trainers have confirmed there is not a mean bone in his little body! He is not dog aggressive. He's not dangerous in any capacity, and he is READY to find a forever home.
In the 3 months that he's been with Rivanna k9 services, he's done incredible. Simba THRIVES with a routine that allows him to go on 2 15 min walks and have a couple hours to explore the yard. Other than that, he's quite content napping on the couch or in his crate. Simba is looking for HIS PERSON. He needs a best friend, someone who is as dedicated to seeing him succeed as we are.
He does NOT need to be the only dog, but he MUST be kept separate until released by the trainer to start facilitating introductions. This is PURELY to set him up for success, not because he's dog aggressive.
He needs a fenced-in yard, which we prefer out in the country, but if he's in town, it will need to be a privacy fence. Constant people, dogs, or traffic is going to be overstimulating for him.
Despite what most people think, pit bull type dogs have a really good bite inhibition when it comes to people. That's why they often don't make good working police dogs because they simply will not bite a human. Simba is no exception to that rule. When he gets over stimulated or stressed out and gets mouthy with the leash, he is not aggressive in any way. He simply does not know what to do with himself, and it presents through leash biting.
He was super excited to see me, and at one point, while he was off leash in the play yard, he started trying to jump up to the leash in Tazzies' hand. This was the first time I've seen him able to be redirected with just a simple voice command and a treat. It was BEAUTIFUL!
Anyone interested in adopting Simba will be required to do three training sessions at the facility in Palmyra VA, and then they are offering 3 ADDITIONAL MONTHS of weekly training sessions for no cost. They just love him, know his potential, and want to see him succeed. I would recommend an adopter in the Chesterfield, Short pump, Charlottesville, Crozet, Fluvanna, Palmyra, Louisa VA areas.
Simba needs a best friend, could that be you? https://vapawsforpits.wixsite.com/virginiapawsforpits/online-application
Male, neutered, fully vaccinated, available through Virginia Paws for Pits

08/15/2024

I just got to the boarding facility to see Simba and get a PUPdate!

08/11/2024

We dropped off our 3 bottle baby puppies yesterday morning for their next adventure, and I was super excited to sleep through the night.
On our way home from UVAs practice Aiden calls in a panic and has found this TINY little kitten stuck under a root near the barn...... so much for sleeping.
Sooooooo calling all cat lovers, I need a rescue or a foster for this little peanut ASAP!!!! She's eating mush but she prefers the bottle. She still needs some help with stimulation to go potty but she's really close to being old enough to go on her own.
She is a super cute little grey tabby with white socks. I'm not a cat expert, but any means, but I think she's about 4 weeks old.
If you're part of a rescue and would like me to transfer her to your program, please reach out via email at [email protected]. If you have experience with littles and want to foster her through VPFP until she's old enough to be adopted, please apply at https://vapawsforpits.wixsite.com/virginiapawsforpits/online-application
I have a houseful of dogs that aren't really big fans of cats so the SOONER the better in relocating this little nugget.

08/08/2024

TRANSPORT HELP NEEDED TODAY!!!!
Excellent news….a foster to adopt home has been found for this precious soul, Kaz!!! He is currently at Animal Health Care Center P.C. In Waynesboro. His foster lives in Fredricksburg.
Leg 1: Pick up in Waynesboro at 5pm and going to the north end of Charlottesville (maybe around the airport area of 29N)
Leg 2: Charlottesville to Fredricksburg
PLEASE HELP US GET THIS GENTLE BOY TO HIS NEW HOME TODAY!
Please TEXT me at 540-290-0690 if you can help.

08/07/2024

✴️✴️✴️update FOSTER TO ADOPT found in collaboration with Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge ✴️✴️✴️
✴️✴️✴️✴️✴️EMERGENCY✴️✴️✴️✴️✴️
UPDATE, 10am OUR FRIENDS AT DDBR ARE HELPING US TRY TO FIND A FOSTER AND WERE ABLE TO GET 3 MORE DAYS. We have until SATURDAY to find him a place!!
THIS DOG WAS ADOPTED FROM MY RESCUE PROGRAM 7 YEARS AGO AS A TINY PUPPY. TODAY AT 5PM HIS FAMILY UNLOADED HIM AND ALL OF HIS BELONGINGS IN MY FRONT YARD. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THERE WAS NOT A DOG FIGHT BECAUSE MY DOGS WERE OUTSIDE PLAYING IN THE YARD.
She refused to leave, insisted that they have been trying to reach me for a year, and had all intentions of just driving off. When I explained that this was my home, that was not an option, and there was a way to go about returning a dog she said then just find me a vet that will euthanize him, because I've been trying all day. WHAT ON EARTH, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS DOG YALL!!!
I had to call the police because I really was not sure what else to do. While I'm on the phone, she loaded him and all of his stuff back in the van and said she would just dump him somewhere. THANKFULLY animal control was able to contact her, and she took him back home for the night. Animal control will be picking him up in the morning. If I can't find a foster, he will have to go to the local shelter and they are already BUSTING at the seams. That gives me about 12 hours to find a place for him to go.
I just heard back from original adopter (who contacted me on Facebook on Sunday about this dog). His family has developed allergies and he is no longer welcome at their home. He is dog, cat, kid (lived with 5 children) friendly. House broken, crate trained, and now homeless.
Foster needs to be in Augusta County VA or surrounding area please. If you can help please text me at 540-290-0690 and email [email protected]. Application to foster or adopt can be found at https://vapawsforpits.wixsite.com/virginiapawsforpits/online-application

08/02/2024

Yesterday I buried your puppy.
If you have ever bought a puppy from a back yard breeder or a pet store; yesterday I buried your puppy.
If your dog has ever "accidentally" gotten pregnant; yesterday I buried your puppy.
If you have ever taken your dog to the shelter because you were moving, having a child, did not have time ect; yesterday I buried your puppy.
If you bred your dog because you thought the puppies would be just like her; yesterday I buried your puppy.
If you have rehomed a dog or puppy that was not spayed or neutered; yesterday I buried your puppy.
Indirectly, I buried your puppy, because all these "small" things have contributed to a very LARGE problem and we're all drowning.
Breeders are dumping whole litters because they don't sell. Shelters that have not had to kill for space in a decade, are now killing every week. Rescues that were once saving hundreds of lives a year are closing their programs for good. Perfect dogs are sitting in shelters or with fosters for months with zero interest. Which means that dogs with any issues are dying before their owner ever even makes it out of the parking lot.
After I buried your puppy, I sat quietly in the grass and sobbed over her and the THOUSANDS of other innocent dogs and puppies who died today at the hands of your carelessness.
Yesterday I buried your puppy. One day, I hope you care enough to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. One day, I hope you will care just a little, so that we don't have to care so much.
I didn't write this for sympathy, I don't want you to feel sorry for me. I just want people to open their eyes, and hearts to see how bad it is. I just want people to help where they can, and stop contributing to a nationwide crisis.
Spay and neuter your pets, if you can't afford it REACH OUT for assistance. Volunteer, foster, adopt, donate, share, fundraise, educate.... there are soooooo many ways you can help DIRECTLY instead of contributing INDIRECTLY to the problem.
Rest in peace sweet little Millie Grace, I am so sorry that I could not save you. You were loved. 💔💔💔
Signed, a broken hearted rescue community.

07/31/2024

Please pray for our little Millie Grace, she took a turn for the worse today and with neonates life is so fragile, they can go from thriving to gone in the blink of an eye. At this point there is nothing that can be done except keeping her comfortable and her only chance is another miracle.
All odds have been stacked against her from day one. Of the 12 puppies, she's one of the only 3 that's still alive. In addition to the environment, hypoglycemia, dehydration, and being cold when I got there to rescue her and her sister, we also think they are likely preterm.
Despite our best efforts to warm them up on Sunday and get their blood sugar stable, her sister was just too far gone. She passed away in her sleep just a few short hours after we picked her up. Millie Grace is a fighter and she's been trying so hard but it seems that he little body is just too tired to keep trying.
She's been looked at by a vet and assesed by a neonate puppy expert and sadly we just don't think they're is anything else that can be done.
Please pray for a miracle, and if she is not meant to live in this world please pray for her to pass peacefully in her sleep. While you're at it please pray for my broken heart, it's so freaking hard to give everything you have to save a life and it's still just not enough.
For the love of God PLEASE SPAY AND NEUTER your pets so we can end this senseless suffering and insurmountable crisis of pet overpopulation.

07/16/2024

Sweet Stella Bella was rescued at about 6 months old in 2018. She was completely feral with severe mange and skin infections. For months she lived in my living area in an xpen and used puppy pads. It was not fun for anyone, but it was her only option. She started learning to trust my dogs, eventually she began to trust me, and the rest is history.

07/14/2024

Someone PLEASE foster or adopt this land hippo for me!!!
URGENT situation!!!! Without going into great detail her owner is no longer able to care for himself or the pupper. When released from the hospital, he's moving in with family that will not allow her to come because of her looks.
Yes we know, that's ridiculous, heartbreaking, and infuriating BUT none of those emotions are going to find her a home so please just keep that to yourself.
What we know:
✔️She's 3-5 years old
✔️ She's 1000% crate trained
✔️She's housebroken
✔️She walks great on a leash
✔️She prefers male dogs
✔️She loves children
✔️She loves people
✔️She's spayed, fully vaccinated, microchipped, and on monthly prevention
🚫No kitty cats please
🚫Prefer no other female dogs
This little lady was rescued from the shelter and now once again she is homeless.
If you can help, please email me at [email protected] or TEXT 540-290-0690.

07/07/2024

💲1000 reward💲

Violet has been missing for 18 days. Female - spayed, red and white basset hound. Last seen 6/18 in Natural Bridge Station wearing a green collar with ID. Violet is a beloved family pet and all we want is for her to be home safe. Reward money will be paid with no questions asked.

Please call 540-480-3907 with any information.

07/04/2024

Happy 4th of July, PLEASE keep your 4 legged friends safe tonight!!! Shelters are FULL and trying to prepare for the influx of strays that come after the holiday.

07/02/2024

Eleven years ago I rescued Minnie Mouse. At the time I said she had been surrendered, but the reality is that she was abandoned when a local dog fighter moved his operation to another location.
She was almost starved to death, the chain wrapped around her neck was so heavy she couldn't even hold her head up. There were pressure sores all over her body. She had been eating walnuts to survive. I went to the property to access the situation and left with all intentions of going through the proper channels to get her out of there, but I couldn't do it. I could not leave her another night in that hell hole, chained to her concrete slab, hiding from the rain in a cut off blue barrel. It was a dangerous spot to be and the only way to get her out immediately was to take her. I decided her life was worth the risk, so I grabbed the bolt cutters and my 38, and that's the day her life changed forever! 💜
She's estimated between 16 and 17 years old and currently living on love, according to my husband. I'm not sure how much time we have left with our beloved Minnie Mouse, but we will cherish every moment that she shares with us.

07/02/2024

Who would be interested in helping me coordinate a 5k for the rescue?
Who would be interested in running the 5k?
Cute photo of Zeus who's STILL patiently waiting on his forever home. He's great with cats but prefers to be the only dog in the home. He's neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, hw negative, and READY to move in!

06/28/2024

URGENT!!!
TIME SENSITIVE!!!
WAS SCHEDULED TO BE KILLED TWO DAYS AGO. WE HAVE BOUGHT HER SOME TIME BECAUSE ACCORDING TO HER ADVOCATES SHE TRULY DESERVES IT!!!
THIS IS HER HAIL MARY!!!!
"Macy was brought in to Nottely Oaks Animal Hospital at about 8 months of age covered in both fresh and old lacerations. The man who brought her in said, “either you keep her or I’m going to shoot her in the head. My other dog is tearing her up”.
We treated her wounds, kept her in the hospital kennel and called our local rescue group to help try to find her a home. She stayed with us for 6 months until we closed our kennel, removing our weekend staff. At that point Macy went to a foster home under the rescues care and did very well. She was then sent her to a training camp and finally adopted out, but unfortunately that home only lasted ONE day. Macy has always exhibited a bit of fear aggression with other dogs. This is understandable given her history. With humans, she has always been exceptionally sweet and very submissive, with two minor exceptions. She typically rolls over wagging her tail, and then she is happiest the closer she can get to someone.
There have been two instances in which Macy has directed her fear aggression towards
humans, but she has never actually tried to bite anyone. She just barks defensively. The first was a man entering the house of the adoptive home she went to on the VERY first day she was there. He walked in the front door unannounced and startled her, her reaction was to bark and jump up on him. The second time was with a trainer entering the yard. She was there with her caretaker after she had just been returned to the Animal Hospital. The trainer came in unannounced and as she approached them Macy had the same reaction. Because of these two instances he current rescue has elected for behavioral euthanasia.
We (Vet and staff) firmly disagree but have nowhere to house her given that we have closed our kennel and have no weekend help.
Macy is a wonderful dog that has suffered trauma at a young age, and has developed some fear reactivity as a result. She is young and should be given the opportunity to live a life full of joy with someone who understands her and can manage her environment and work with her on training.
We’re in a small town in North Georgia with limited options for dogs like Macy, so we’re
extending our reach to ask for help. She’s wonderful, and well worth the effort. Please consider helping us save her life."
We would love to help Macy but will need a professional evaluation to help determine the best home for her. We would also like to continue her training and socialization to help her reach her full potential. Macy will need FULL sponsorship for training and a foster or adopter that can help us help her. If you can help please email [email protected] with SAVE MACY in the headline.

06/27/2024

We took the baby and the dinosaur on a sunset stroll last night and I'm not sure who had more fun.
Minnie Mouse is about 17 years old and she was rescued from one of the worst places I've seen. In the first 4-6 years of her life she endured more abuse, neglect, starvation, pain, and suffering than most could survive for a week.
PLEASE stop saying, "it's all in how you raise them" because that statement is FALSE and it's SUPER counterproductive to the rescue world. Some of the BEST DOGS I've ever known, we're raised in the depths of hell.
I agree 100% that socialization, structure, exercise, play, training, nurture, genetics, and MANY more things play a role in a dogs behavior and "character" so to speak, as they mature; but those are all things (aside from genes) that can be implemented at any age. Often times with the same results.
It works both ways ya'll. Look at litters of puppies, each one has an individual personality. Just because the mom and dad and perfect specimens does ABSOLUTELY NOT mean the puppies will be. For example, I know of 2 border collies (brothers) from the same litter. Both have been through the exact same training and were raised in the same home. One is the perfect herding and farm dog and the other one is out of control 75% of the time. It has NOTHING to do with how they were raised, and everything to do with their unique personalities and abilities.
ENVIRONMENT, and knowing a dogs individual temperament is SO MUCH more important than how you raise them. Minnie Mouse was NOT an easy case, it took years to help her be comfortable around new dogs, and children use to make her very nervous. In the beginning she was one of the toughest dogs I've brought home. She's been worth every second and I'm so thankful that I got "stuck" with her almost ten years ago.
She loves every human she meets, she loves to give hugs and snuggle in your lap, she just can't get close enough. She's resilient, patient, loving, kind, silly, and sweet to everyone she meets and it's because of how I TREAT HER, not how I raised her.