Adopter Name

Sara D.

Rescue Dog's Name

Mallory

Where Did You Find Your Dog?

I got Mallory in 2011 when she was 1 year old. I worked at Petsmart and every year the Boudreau Animal Rescue Krew (BARK) from Louisiana brought many many dogs up for an adoptathon.

Tell Us About the Moment When You Knew that You Two Were Meant for Each Other.

I had already adopted a dog through them 2 years prior. I knew volunteering was a bad idea (since I got a dog the last time I helped them) so I avoided them. The day before they were leaving to head home I took a walk to the tents to see the very few remaining dogs. There was Mallory, in a kennel, with a giant note taped to it "NOT GOOD WITH CHILDREN". I felt bad for her because she was still there. So I took her for a walk. She was so bad!! So terrible I could see right away why she wasn't wanted. I decided to bath her (I was a groomer for Petsmart). I also did her nails. She bit me. I then went to return her thinking she was the worst dog they had. Next thing I know I'm fostering her so she doesn't have to make the trip back to Louisiana. It turned out she had been adopted and returned multiple times. She even went through a training class (and passed) but had never even learned her name (I don't understand that). I only had her a couple of days when I realized why they had the "NOT GOOD WITH CHILDREN" sign. She had SEVERE dog aggression. The aggression was so bad I had her loaded in the car and headed to be euthanized more than once. To this day though she always been so incredibly sweet and tolerant of children (and other animals) it's amazing. She simply had to kill any and all dogs her size or bigger (never small). After 8 months, lots of blood shed, vet visits, and even some decent injury to me breaking up the fights (never once from her) she turned herself around like I never ever thought possible.

How Has Your Hero Changed Your Life?

I am so glad I am stubborn because giving up on her would been the biggest mistake I would ever make. Today she spends every single day in the salon with me, playing all the dogs. She is perfect in nearly every way. It took months of anger, tears, struggle, and even fist fights (I got pretty defensive of her). But I wouldn't trade that dog for all the money in the world. And I will avoid helping with an adoptathon for a while...