Featuring Abby and Dillinger

“We always knew we wanted a dog, but the timing and the right one had to come together,” shares a loving pet parent. “I wanted a pit bull for their gentle, misunderstood nature, and my husband dreamed of a brindle-colored pup.”

Their story unfolded with serendipity. Pregnant with their first child, the couple attended a charity pet rescue event, hoping to find their perfect match. Unfortunately, the pit rescue present had only photos, no dogs in tow. Disheartened but not ready to give up, they decided to stop by the Humane Society on their way home.

“In the puppy room, there he was—a little brindle pit, the runt of the litter, with skin too big for his tiny frame and a tail that never stopped wagging. We learned he had been rescued from the side of a highway and spent months in medical care. That very day was his first up for adoption, and we couldn’t leave without him.”

Named Dillinger, this charming pup quickly became part of the family. The couple had five months to train him before welcoming their baby girl, enduring skeptical comments about having a pit bull around a newborn. But Dillinger proved them all wrong.

“He was gentle, cautious, and intuitive around our daughter. Now, at 4.5 years old, she adores him, but our younger daughter, Abby, shares something special with him.”

From using him as a couch ladder to smothering him with kisses, Dillinger patiently embraces Abby’s antics. “He doesn’t flinch when she hugs him, kisses him, or even licks his nose—though that part’s a bit gross!” Dillinger, ever the opportunist, also knows Abby’s a reliable snack supplier, happily accepting her offers of shared bites.

As Dillinger ages, the family cherishes every moment. With large breeds having shorter lifespans, the parents fear Abby might not remember her beloved companion.

“I take photos of them together all the time, but I dream of having a professional portrait to capture their bond. It’s not just for her—it’s a keepsake of where her love for animals began.”

This family’s journey isn’t just about their memories but also about advocating for pit bulls. “Anything that helps bring these incredible dogs into the mainstream and shows their true nature is worth doing.”