I love dogs and volunteer at the SF SPCA. One of my favorite activities is to take longer term residents out on a Doggie Day Date (DDD), take photos, and blog about them in the hopes that they'll get adopted faster. I know that one of my blogs helped get one of my favorite pooches, Bright Eyes/Beyoncé, adopted. Her adopters read my post on a Corgi rescue group on Facebook and went to the SPCA specifically to meet her! One of my proudest and happiest moments. So please share this blog post with folks and where appropriate!
Please meet Chip. He is a very smart, sweet, and cuddly Terrier/Pit Bull mix. Oh, and quite handsome and athletic. We went to Sharp Park Beach yesterday with another SF SPCA volunteer friend, who drove us down, and handled Chip while I took photos - thanks Mike!
Chip is 1 year and 3 months old. He's been at the SPCA for more than three months. The average stay at the SPCA is about 20 days but pittie mixes definitely have a harder time finding adopters. They've gotten a bad rap over the years but pit bulls were historically cherished for their traits of being "friendly, brave, hardworking" and were a favorite for families. In my experience, pitties are like any other dog - they want to be loved and long to please their humans. They are physically strong and often energetic so need the right person who can responsibly give them the lifestyle suited to their needs. They are also extremely sweet and sensitive souls who can be super goof balls.
Chip's goofball face
So, about Chip. He would do really well with a human who is physically active and enjoys company on long hikes and outings to the beach. Maybe someone who wants a trail running partner? For our outing, we walked along the beach and then hiked up the hill overlooking the coast; it was not rigorous so he could have kept going after an hour and a half. He is very friendly and was super curious about other people, dogs, and even bumble bees. Chip has webbed feet but ran from the ocean waves! The sounds of the ocean seemed unfamiliar to him but he was extremely happy to be exploring. He's a bit of a puller on a short leash but not so much on a longer leash and typically didn't stray too far.
Ok, maybe he even pulls when he's standing.
On our return trip to the SPCA, he chose to sit on my lap and press up against me even though there was plenty of space in the back seat beside us. And believe me, he definitely made that decision. Sitting on me and squeezing us both on our side of the passenger seat was not that comfortable but he wouldn't budge! So, yeah, he loves to cuddle and would love someone who also likes to snuggle after a day out and about.
In addition to daily physical activity, Chip needs daily mental exercise. He's very smart but can act a little unsure of himself and doesn't always pay attention or listen. As an adolescent he needs a patient, loving human who will provide him the stability of rules and routine. He can be reactive towards some dogs and little kids. I've heard that he never instigates a scuffle but rather seems to be the guy who gets bullied by other dogs. Generally, little kids are unpredictable, so it's never really a good idea to have unknown young children around a dog. Chip would probably do best in a home without young children and possibly other dogs.
So much joy! Imagine yourself with all that love.
The great thing about taking dogs like Chip on DDDs is that I get to see them out of the shelter environment where they can get bored and stressed. It's amazing how these pups become almost completely different pooches once in the right home environment. They blossom. SF SPCA volunteers often run into former residents with their new families outside and hear updates about how well the dogs are doing and how whatever behavior issues they may have exhibited at the SF SPCA go away or are negligible. Like in any relationship, love, patience, and commitment matter :)
Did I mention he's handsome?
Here are some more adorable photos of Chip. Please come on in and see him at the SF SPCA!
