Hurricane Katrina Survivor Finds Loving Family

Update January 2012

The holidays this year were very very special for our four legged friend Larry.  We are so happy to be able to report that Larry’s foster family decided to adopt him.  We could not be happier that Larry now has a permanent home.   He is doing well there and has two laps to lay his head in after long walks on the beach.  Thank you so much to his new foster mom Karen and his new foster dad (Karen’s father) Jack for opening your hearts and your home to this survivor.  You both have given this dog an amazing gift.  The world is fortunate to have pet lovers like you in it, especially ones who appreciate this breed.

For our new readers, Larry came to us through a rescue group trying to save 22 dogs in danger of euthanasia who were homeless after Hurricane Katrina.  He was diagnosed with heartworm (which about 80% of the Katrina survivors had).  We committed to take four of them and provide treatment and find them good homes. Larry’s heartworm treatment was successful and he was given a clean bill of health. Later that same year a  family with small children adopted Larry and we had the chance to see him flourishing with them as they were our clients.  Sadly this family split up and misconceptions about this breed prevented them from finding a place they could live with him.  They returned him to us and he lived with us at the hospital for almost another year while we searched for his next forever home.

Through it all he has remained his smiley, sweet, wiggly self and everyone who has met him loves him.  Our hospital staff who handled Larry while he was with us, even during his medication for heartworm, said that he is the poster child for all things good about Pit Bulls. Still, he needed owners who understood his energy  level and how to channel it.   He has found that in Karen and Jack Bellis and we wish them many happy years together.  How lucky is Larry to get to ride in his new father’s convertible?  That is the kind of spoiling we can so get on board with.