Adopter Name

Michelle L

Rescue Dog’s Name

Monroe

Where Did You Find Your Dog?

Monroe came to the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk, Maine, as a transfer from Indiana, after being born in the largest shelter in Indianapolis and rescued by Casa Del Toro Pit Bull Rescue. After contracting a respiratory infection from his mother when he was very young, he went into foster care with two of his sisters, where he was named, nurtured, and loved by a wonderful woman named Sarah, and her 4-legged family of dogs and cats.

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

I had been without a canine companion for some time and decided it was time to start looking at the AWS website to see who was available. After several weeks of looking, Monroe’s picture came up. The following morning I was waiting outside for the shelter to open. AWS was very kind about letting me spend as much time as I needed with Monroe, taking him for a walk, and then hanging out with him indoors until his energy subsided a bit. When they said, “He has a file,” I thought, oh boy, does he have medical expenses that I can’t afford? But what they handed me was a letter, written by Sarah, detailing his story, his favorite snacks, his level of training, all his little quirks…details I could never have expected to get from a shelter dog (or a breeder, for that matter). I knew he was something special, and that he had come all that way for me when I looked down at him and asked him, “Do you want to come home with me?” and he licked my hand.

How Has Your Hero Changed Your Life?

I am happiest when I have my dog at my side. I am not a morning person, but our long morning walks have become the best part of my day. We hike on the mountain near our home, or walk down to the beach to sit on a bench and watch the sun come up over the ocean. Every day I have conversations with strangers who want to greet him. I hope that with every conversation, I’m helping to raise awareness about the loving nature of pit bulls, and how rewarding adopting a rescue dog can be. Monroe reminds me that not everything in life has to be perfect, or planned, or even remotely like you hoped it would be, but every day has value. Some days are for working hard, and others are for rolling in the grass.