Wish I could keep this great little guy, but I have two dogs already. He's going to be a sweet pet for some lucky family!!

Terri,
Sam is a great dog, and I understand you have enough on your hands with your own two dogs. Another way you can help Sam is to "Share" his Facebook post with any of your friends & family on Facebook. When people pass along the information by sharing, it increases the chances that someone who wants a dog like Sam will see him! Think of it as match-making? Thanks for your comment.

Thank you for this great piece on Sam, and the wonderful photographs. I recently watched something on how grooming and special photos really make a tremendous difference. I hope Sam finds the best possible home.

Even if you cannot, or wish you could adopt Sam, PLEASE spread the word. Through facebook, instagram, any social media you use. He is an amazing dog that wants very much to please someone. I've seen him work so hard on manners and commands. His enthusiasm is contagious! Sam has been at the shelter a long time and is so deserving of a loving home for all the efforts he has made. Please help Sam find this home in the new year!

Do we really need more pit bulls in our neighborhood? Just yesterday was reading about an attack on a 10 yr old.

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Mr. Recycle,
I believe your concern about pit bulls is shared by others. I myself had a negative prejudice about pit bulls--until I started walking dogs as a volunteer at Palo Alto Animal Services and made the acquaintance of the breed for the first time. I still remember the pitties I walked, trained, and socialized--every one of them a sweet, intelligent, eager-to-please dog.

It is not fair to condemn the entire breed (or mix of breeds) because of the sensational and tragic news articles that appear occasionally. The article you cite is from a newspaper in Oklahoma, not really in "our neighborhood." And I bet you cannot find a single bad report on the behavior of any pit bull mix adopted from PAAS. The shelter staff & volunteers take care to evaluate the behavior of all the adoptable dogs every day of the week. And the dogs adopted from PAAS are exemplary pets and canine citizens. In the case of Sam, the shelter has enlisted the help of qualified trainers who work with large energetic breeds, in addition to skilled volunteers. All of these people are determined to give Sam a head start in learning the good manners that make a dog appeal to potential adopters.

Finally, I want to point out the number of cases of brutality committed against pit bulls by mentally unstable humans. The dogs are instinctively loyal and accept beatings and other torture stoically. Add to that the people like Michael Vick who think it's entertaining to train pit bulls for fighting to the death, and who take great relish in strangling or shooting a losing dog that lives.

Pit bulls are as sweet and noble as any other breed. The best way to prevent bringing a dangerous dog into your house or neighborhood is to adopt from a shelter or rescue group you trust. Do not adopt from an online breeder or a pet shop.

Thank you Scottie, very well said. Also Cesar Milan has an excellent episode on NatGeo called Love My Pit Bull, and it talks about the history of the breed, going back to it being a "nanny" dog for young children, including Pete the Pup, the Our Gang dog, etc.

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