Tessie came into our lives two years ago and we just couldn’t be happier! I’ve always liked pit bulls but never thought I’d own one, after all, I was a “German Shepherd guy.”  Over the years I’ve encountered some great pit bulls and I’ve always found them rather comical and goofy. Monique, who was my fiancé at the time, was very interested in getting a dog and we both agreed that we would rather rescue a dog since there are so many in need of homes. I am very experienced with dogs but this would be Monique’s first, and a pit bull was not even a consideration……..until we saw the picture on PittieLoveRescue.com!! We truly came across Tessie’s (formerly Delilah) picture by accident, but once we both saw that face we knew we had to meet her.
We were soon in contact with Noreen and completed an adoption contract. We went  to Noreen’s house to meet “Delilah.” We knocked on the door and all the dogs started barking. We stepped inside and this  little black and white bovine-like creature comes barking and sliding sideways into Noreen’s kitchen! She had us at “Woof!” I’ve never met a 14 week old dog with such a personality and such a cute face! It was very obvious though, that this was no “Delilah.” It just didn’t fit…. We considered “ Bessie” because of her cow like attributes but Tessie is the name she grew into. I’ve owned and trained many dogs over the years and , Tessie has been the easiest. She was house broken and fully crate trained in less than a week and literally only had two accidents in the house, ever. She just recently passed level  two advanced obedience and she made Monique look like a pro in class! I have an elderly relative in a nursing home and Tessie will occasionally visit her and several other residents at the home as well. She has been a dream dog. Tessie’s knowledge of the English language is quite extensive! Monique and I often find ourselves speaking to her in full sentences and we are very certain she knows everything we say! ( I also found her on my computer using my Spanish tutorial once….. but that’s another story!)  Tessie gets along with most dogs and she has her select friends. She certainly doesn’t go looking for trouble. Sadly, we find ourselves defending her breed too often, although she has been a great ambassador of the breed and has changed many people’s thoughts and feelings about pit bulls.
If you are reading this and considering adopting a pit bull, know that they are great pets but are not for everyone. You have to acknowledge that there can be a potential for dog aggression and be willing to commit to learning how to avoid it. Educate yourself and then decide. After all, you could end up with the best dog in the world like Monique and I have!!

Thanks all at PittieLove Rescue!
Joe, Monique and Tessie