Charo

Even though this isn't our first home rehabilitation, this is the first time we are following the progress of a rehab with us.

This is a story of a Pit Bull of 2 years old being issue ridden and being brought back to the point that she is adoptable and ready to live a great life with her new family. The family that is responsible for her at the moment is now us.

When you see dogs like this you just want to reach out and hug them, believe me she has had plenty of hugs and gets plenty of attention. She now resides with our pack and this is her story, starting with an email and phone call from her owner. This lady wanted nothing but the best for Charo, but circumstances pointed in another direction, which led her to us for help.

We thought we would highlight this particular case to show how hard it is for rescues to get the help they need and illustrate how lucky this little cutie is. I also want to show you how much time and effort goes into rescue, rehab and rehousing and how important it is to adopt from shelters to save these dogs.

One of the main problems with this dog is that she is a Pit Bull. I'm sure this is no surprise to you that they are hard to find homes for and they require a lot of attention. Another issue is that if she were to be put in the LADACC or Humane Society, the odds of her making it out of there alive is slim to none !

As we stated Charo has a multitude of minor issues that just make her a challenge. Not a great deal of discipline, at least for my pack, phobias coming out the wazzoo and a mountain of energy that just won't quit.

On getting her, she protested being on the leash, but we nipped that in the bud very quickly. I don't want to spoil the thumb tags below but our first day together was great and we made massive progress in a short space of time. The issues with this canine cutie aren't fixed, it'll take time, but we are willing to put that time in so she can go to a good home.

Charo and the "Skate For Life" neighborhood boys, lend a helping hand in her rehabilitation.

Charo "In Da House" She is a very active dog, but she loves her "chill time". At Least that's what my boys call it.

"I would like to truly thank James for literally coming to my rescue! I had a problem with one of my foster pups, as lovely as she was, she had behavioral issues. As a responsible rescuer, I was not going to adopt her out, until she was completely rehabilitated, and ready for a new home. I searched far and wide for a trainer to help me, I had promises, but no-one followed through. One would have thought, that as a rescuer, trainers would come to my aid, but apparently not! An incident then occurred whereby it was imperative to get my foster out of my house, and I was desperate as to where to turn. Then a fellow rescuer suggested James, so I gave him and his lovely wife Birdie a call. I immediately got a response, which was amazing to me, as no other trainers had bothered to call me back. James said he would take my foster to his home, introduce her to his pack, and from thereon start the process of rehabilitation, so that eventually she would be a very adoptable dog. After one day, James was able to take her to the dog park, off leash, let her run around with the other dogs, something she hadn't done before. She had major issues with skateboards, scooters, anything on wheels, and he was able to rectify her skittishness towards these moving objects. She also had a frenzy over the ball!! when kids would play basket ball she went crazy, not at the kids, but at the ball. In fact any ball she wanted, which was cute, but a complete fettish! In that one day James also dealt with her ball obsession, quite amazing!!! James has been an absolute blessing to me and my foster, I only dreamed of a trainer coming forward to help me with her, my prayers were answered. His affinity with the animals is truly spectacular, in my mind he is better than any "Dog Whisperer" I have met, and he does it for the right reasons, a love and passion for the animals. Thank you so much Birdie and James, I am forever grateful."

A.F. - Calabasas, CA