Canine Breed Discrimination – II

Underdog to Wonderdog –  The Story of Delilah

Delilah, after just being found on the street in Baltimore, MD

Delilah is a beautiful 6 ½ year old (approximately) American Bulldog Staffordshire Terrier mix. She is a type of mixed breed dogs that are commonly called Pit Bulls, and they have been the brunt of unfair and unfortunate breed discrimination for many years.  (Please see my article on Canine Breed Discrimination, posted July 18, 2016.)  Delilah was found on the streets of Baltimore in 2010 by a lady who couldn’t keep her and was going to take her to BARCS (Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter).  There were several people from the Baltimore Bully Crew (BBC) who happened to be in the parking lot at that time, and they took Delilah to their BBC rescue.  She was there for about a month, and then her adoption information was posted online.

Sean,  who is a good friend of my daughter, was really not a big fan of dogs because as a child, he saw his friend bitten in the face by a dog. But, after his sister adopted a dog from BARCS about six years ago, he fell in love with her dog and decided that he wanted a pup of his own.  He began his search on Facebook and it was then that a friend suggested the Baltimore Bully Crew.  Sean saw a photo of Delilah and instantly knew that she was the dog he wanted. He filled out an application, went to meet her……and the rest is history, as they say.  Delilah has been his best friend since that first meeting, when she was about a year old.

Delilah and Sean – Best Buds!

Because she is such a sweetheart, Sean decided that she would make a great therapy dog.  He enrolled her in the AKC CGC program. The American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen test (CGC) is a certification program that evaluates dogs in simulated everyday situations in a relaxed, noncompetitive atmosphere. The purpose of the test is to ensure that dogs are respected members of their communities and are trained to act mannerly in the home, in public places and in the presence of other dogs. Dogs that pass the CGC test are deemed to be reliable family and community members and will receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club. Many dog owners use the CGC as the first step for their dog to work as a therapy dog.

Delilah getting a belly rub from a resident at the assisted living center where she is a therapy dog for Pets on Wheels

Sean then decided to sign Delilah up for the Pets on Wheels program because they are “Bully Breed” friendly and because he had a friend in the program.  Sean and Delilah visit Genesis, and assisted living and rehabilitation center, in Severna Park, Maryland.  Delilah has many friends there and she loves to visit with the elderly people and also with their grandchildren when they visit.  Sean says that Delilah loves the attention and also “the crumbs on the floor”.  The residents at Genesis always look forward to Delilah’s visits, and she’s always grateful for the belly rubs and love they give to her.  (I have to smile as I write this because in the past I had two dogs who were Pets on Wheels dogs, and they loved their visits for the attention and the many hugs and kisses, but they also looked forward to the crumbs on the floor!)

Because Delilah loves children so much, she and Sean regularly visit schools for different events and programs.  She even attended a Baltimore Orioles baseball game recently and was a hit with everyone.  Children loved her and were petting and hugging her all day.

Delilah at a Baltimore Orioles baseball game, loving the children and all the attention (and the hugs!)

Sean and his wife, Jade, are now both on the Board of Directors for the Baltimore Bully Crew, and they are fully involved in fostering dogs for the organization to get them ready for adoption into a forever home.  They currently have Delilah, another Pit (Piper) and four cats in their household, in addition to some foster pups. Please be sure to visit Delilah’s Facebook page, Delilah and the Zoo.   In my mind, not only is Delilah a beautiful wonder dog, but Sean and Jade are truly wonderful people.  They have opened their hearts and their home to animals that need love and care, and who need to be understood.  Thank you both for what you have done, and continue to do, for Delilah…..and for these beautiful souls who are capable of so much love and loyalty.

UPDATE !!    Delilah and her fur sister, Piper, are going to have a human baby brother or sister in March of 2017! Congratulations to Jade, Sean, Delilah, Piper, and the rest of the Stinchcomb family. These two gals are gonna be fantastic big sisters!!

Piper and Delilah, happily awaiting the birth of their little brother or sister in March 2017. Congrats, girls!!!

Latest Update!  Nora Lane came into the world on March 16, 2017 and is happy, adorable, and loved by her two fur-sisters.