Rescue Confessions: Olive

I’ve been teasing this for a bit but it’s finally ready to go! Welcome to the newest series, Rescue Confessions! This new chapter of Rescue in Style is a way to create a community amongst my readers and those who are interested in adoption. By sharing the highs, lows, and everything in between, Rescue Confessions will make you laugh and help make adoption approachable for everyone.

If you’re interested in being a part of this series, feel free to drop me an email at Christine (at) rescueinstyle.com.

Now, on to our first ever confessional. Meet Olive and her hooman, Cameron. Cameron is actually a very valuable resource to Rescue in Style as she’s become my twitter/pinterest guru and soundboard for all my crazy ideas. So please welcome Cameron and her beautiful brindle pittie to RIS!

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Cameron’s Turn

Tell us about your rescue! Name, age, breed, species??

Olive is a 3-year old pitbull with a teensy bit of bulldog in there. I got her when she was 2 years-old and she weighs 50 lbs on the dot!

Where did you two first meet?

I first laid eyes on this sweet thing in the Animal Care and Control Center in Brooklyn, NY. Having a quarter-life crisis, I decided I needed a dog and instead of doing any research went straight to the shelter. I saw her curled up in the back of her cell and couldn’t leave without her!

Why did you decide to pursue adoption?

My first family dog was a Goldendoodle and he remains the best dog I have ever met. He was so calm, cool and collected and loved nothing as much as sleep. But this time around I was inspired by friends and other family members who had adopted and I didn’t want a puppy anyway.

How did you know they were “the one” (or two, or three!)?

All the other doggies were barking so loud and jumping up on the sides of their kennel except for Olive. She was dead silent just laying there looking up at me (I would later find out this was false advertising haha). I’d also gone in with a weight limit of 30 lbs, but she looked pretty small to me! (whoops). She also has the most beautiful brindle coat and who doesn’t want a pet tiger.

What advice do you have for someone who is deciding whether or not to adopt?

Do some research and shop around! If you’re unsure about adopting it’s really important you don’t feel pressured into a decision. Go back 4 or 5 times if you need to spend time with any potential new loves to make you feel at ease when the big day comes. I loved my Goldendoodle, but there is no love like the love from a shelter dog. It’s a special bond I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.

Anything else you’d like to share (favorite dates/stories/lessons learned)?

ASK FOR HELP!!!! Adjusting to a new life is going have challenges for the both of you. Shelter dogs have a unique set of needs and it can be hard to figure out disciplinary techniques that work for you.I found a great training team here with Found Chicago that changed our relationship for the absolute best. 

My favorite thing about Olive is that she is such a snuggler. The first time I took her home to St. Louis she immediately fell in love with my dad and one morning when Olive and I were up earlier than everyone else she took off up the stairs straight into my parents’ room and just plopping down RIGHT on top of him. GOOD MORNING! 

Olive’s Turn:

Favorite toy: 

A red and blue rope that I like to play tug of war with while growling ferociously like a dino.

Most impressive trick: 

I can sit and stay patiently like a CHAMP even for food!

Least impressive trick: 

For the life of me I will never know what “shake” means. 

I will do anything for:

Peanut butter

Squirrels or tennis balls:

My attention span isn’t long enough for either tbh

My favorite park in Chicago: 

Lincoln Park because sometimes I get let off the leash there and also believe goose poop to be a delicacy

It drives my mother the most crazy when…

I pick up her shoes and shake them in front of her when I feel I am being ignored. But, like, maybe just don’t ignore me.

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Thanks for joining this week’s Rescue Confessions – we will see you back here again next Friday!

xoxo,

Christine