posted 11-30-2003 10:42 AM         

I tried rescuing a female pit that was brought in to my vet as a stray. She had been hit by a car. It shattered her rear femur. In surgery they found they had to amputate, it had been that way over 2 weeks. Then after surgery while recovering in her kennel she went into cardiac and respiratory arrest. They couldn't resucitate her.

Now my husband and I constantly find ourselves hoping for another rescue wether it be desperate like her, or an already rescued rehab. Anyway I'm being really long winded. I'd really like to adopt another pit. I just wonder how feasable that is. i know that pits may become dog aggresive as they get older, and that there is no real way of predicting this. I know many groups do not recomend multi pit houses, and definalty not same sex houses. I also understand they don't really know who they area dopting to, and don't want to put any dog in a bad situation. but I know people do have multi pit houses. My pit is a 1-2 year old neutered male who wants to play w/ every other dog he sees. Even the female pit that I introduced him to that wanted to tear him to pieces. My beagle is a female about the same age soon to be spayed. She is the queen of the house. We use chain link dog runs, and crates to contain our dogs. As well as tie outs for some roaming priveldges. Otherwise they are in the house playing with us. There is no unsupervised interaction.

posted 11-30-2003 11:17 AM         

Given your situation (two immature dogs, one APBT, one not, opposite sexes, etc) I'd say that your best bet would be a female, as long as your beagle is pretty easygoing around other dogs. I would also like to make a plug for older dogs here, as I think that a mature (4 yrs or older) dog would be best, as you'll already have a good idea as to their dog aggression tendencies by then, and they wouldn't be likely to change so late. APBTs commonly live to be 12-14 yrs old, so a 4-7 yr old dog would still have plenty of life left in them, and you'd be helping out a hard to place dog at the same time.

You sound like you've done your research, and are putting a lot of thought into this. I say that if you think you're prepared to jump into multiple APBTs, go for it. Just be prepared for the possibility that they MAY not get along, no matter what you do, and never take their getting along for granted.

BTW, here are some rescue groups in the WA area, not sure how close they are to you, but many will find transport for a dog if they find the "right" home for them, so don't let a bit of distance stop you.
http://pbrc.net/dogpages/west/dognorthwest.html
http://www.pitbullproject.org/adopt.htm

I couldn't help but look through the dogs they had listed, and found this cute girl: http://www.petfinder.org/pet.cgi?action=2&pet=2058475

posted 11-30-2003 02:33 PM         

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I am sure my insurance would be cancelled if they knew I had anything to do with pit Bulls.

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who do you guys have home owners insurance with and do they know about your pits?

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You may also try contacting local rescue groups and asking if they can recommend an insurance company to go through, they'd probably be able to help. If not, call around to different companies and just ask if they refuse insurance based on breed of dog, the worst they can do is tell you they do