She's gorgeous!
Kudos to you for taking her. I have a soft spot for train-wreck rescues, and *especially* neglected pit bulls. If so many things in my life were different right now (i.e., not renting a home in SW FL with an elderly special-needs dog of my own and already over my pet limit), I'd love to take her off your hands. Good luck finding her a happy forever-home!!

She is very pretty. Good luck finding a forever home without goats. :-)

..she sounds an awful lot like Tina. Two separate owners gave Tina a shot and brought her back to the shelter. One couple said they'd pick her up later and never did.

You know why you took on this case; the same reason I took on Tina. Because if not for you, she'd be dead in a month. She's bad now. That's no doubt. But I can promise that the required intensive training and patience, the bond that will develop between you and her will be much more intense than the bond you would have with a well mannered dog.

We never did get Tina to deal with the crate. Instead, we just had to train her not to eat shoes or tear up the house.

Keep us informed. I've been through it. I can't wait to see how it works out.

She's a real sweetie. Lucky to have found you. In a society where pets are now as disposable as garbage, pets with any kind of issue - age, health, personality, breeds, have almost zero chance of finding a good home. Sad reflection on our society.

But there's nothing wrong with being a little bit loco. If it makes you feel better, you can call your rescue/fostering habit an 'eccentricity.' Unfortunate people are crazy. Successful people are eccentric.

See? Doesn't that make it all better? :-p

Anyway, good on ya. I don't foster - One more animal at home would leave us with insufficient time to do proper thing by any of them. That said, my schedule has time carved out for volunteering at a local Rescue, and I have nothing but praise for our fostering families. Like you, they tend to have revolving doors - No sooner than one guest finds their forever home, than a new project moves in. It's work - real work - and requires patience, skill, experience, and a flexibnility of mind that few can muster. So keep on with your insanity - It's more sane than you may think.

The skin cases are always heartbreaking, but perhaps the saddest ones for me are the psychological cases - Where incompetent breeding, neglect, abuse, or simple ignorant handling has produced an animal so badly damaged in their behaviors that we may not be able to save them. There's a lovely puppy at the Farm right now that may be destined for the needle, Yet he's *physically* completely sound. He came from *seriously* excessive in- and line-breeding background, and was then put in the care of a couple whom were utterly incapable of meeting his needs, and had not even remotely the space he needed to even stretch his legs, nor any place to walk him, nor even any *time* to walk him. At a mere eight months, he's already an absolute wreck. Terrified of everything *except* the dark, and a wannna-be fear-biter, only incredible vigilance has prevented him the opportunity to take a fatal (to him) bite out of one of the volunteers or staff.

We're working on him. Or more to the point, the Director is working on him - her personal project - but it's going to be touch-n-go. There's a LOT of work to be done on him at a time when volunteer hours are at a premium, and only the most experienced hands can touch him. This is one dog where the foster care will be lengthy, if he makes it at all. Even if he can be turned around, he can only be placed in the most carefully selected of homes - No children, few or no other animals, and only the most experienced of hands. Many Rescues would have written him off, but he's every bit as much a victim as any mange-ridden malnourished hording-situation survivor. If it's possible to save him at all, we will.

Keep your fingers crossed.

And how sad that her purported breed is illegal anywhere. I wish her all the best and I'm sure she has a fantastic life ahead of her.

And how sad that her purported breed is illegal anywhere. I wish her all the best and I'm sure she has a fantastic life ahead of her.

You sound like me! At least you are a vet and can treat the generalized demodex! I had a boston/chi foster who I got my mom to pull from a high kill facility in Cleveland, TN. This little dog had kennel cough and then developed the generalized demodex. Thankfully, she was small so she got a green interceptor daily for a month or six weeks. Because I had a friend foster her, she did get adopted by a nice family in Marietta, GA.
Thank you for saving this Viszla mix ; there was one we couldn't save today in Cleveland who was an owner surrender (no foster home available, no rescue available for the sweetie). Breed bias stinks, doesn't it?

We always say they are boxer mixes up here in Colorado. But she looks like a doll. Good for you.

I'm glad we are not alone. My latest challenge was 2 ferrels. I've had them 7 months now and one is ready to go (I just hope she is not too bonded with me to make the switch to her forever home); the other one is still too afraid of people.

I think everyone should have a charity/hobbie that is giving to others in some way. Now I feel guilty for not doing anything for others for so much of my life. I think it's sad that most people think I'm crazy for doing it. I think if you're not doing something for someone instead of thinking of yourself all of the time; then you're missing the boat.

Maybe the more people who do charity work; others will see it and it catch on.

Insane or crazy enough to care! That doesn't seem to fit everyone's mold though--some will think you are crazy and proceed to drive you crazy!

If I were a Veterinarian, my life would be full of rehabs. As mentioned above the mentally tortured would be beyond my capabilities, but a sweet animal with a treatable malady?

How could you let that go by you, very best with recovery, she is a cutester pooch!

Good job!!! I found an abandoned, starving, "vicious" Pitt Bull mix beside a highway near my home as well. Did I mention that she had mange? She was the smelliest, ugliest dog I have ever seen. I brought her home, had her fully vetted and gave her the name Bobbie Socks because of her 4 white feet. Today she is a beautiful, healthy, well behaved member of our family. She is my love... and she has the most greatful, loving personality. She is not the "vicious" animal that is identified with the name "Pitt Bull".

It's hard to turn away from an animal in need. This sweet girl looked like she really needed a savior. If I didn't live in an apartment, I'd likely have more than the 5 cats I've already got.

I live in Miami-Dade county too. I really wish they'd repeal this stupid law. Heck, I've seen chihuahua's scarier than most pit bulls.

I think this may be one of your best postings yet! It is uplifting -- except for the part about the abuse -- but you rescued her and that's all that matters now. I rescue dogs up here in the Teton Valley and my hat is off to you -- I have never rescued a dog with so many issues -- mine are usually the garden variety abuse issues -- fear and attitude. Pinky is gorgeous by the way, pink or not and yea she looks like a Vizla to me! You have a good heart!

From one serial adopter to another - you did a good thing in helping this girl out Dr. Khuly. Humans have done such a terrible diservice to pit bulls and any dogs that look like them. It's great to see some of us helping them out.

Oh, Doc. We all know you were blessed with two helpings of heart. As far as the "breed thing," is there any way you could "disguise" her look? Like, when her mange clears up, could you polka-dot her to look like a Dalmation mix? (Just teasing. But the discrimination against even a pit-mix is really stupid. Good luck "beating the system."

If you're insane then so are those of us in rescue! It's a great disease!!!

I have never wanted to own a Pitbull but Pinky is cute and can't help but feel sorry for the poor girl.

Great job. You get my approval.

Have no fear you are amoung good characters. I saved a lap mis pup. She is adorable. I hope to find her a home quickly since I already have three lab mixes. Knew I should have been a vet instead of an attorney.

Rescue dog mom here and will always be. I actually have a question, my Biscuit, who seems to have a bit of pit mix in him has severe environmental allergies and early on they did 6 skin scrapes for mites (looked like he had mange) but no, he looses patches of hair, get itchy to the point of sores and where he rakes his face (I caught him) against the stucco to fight the itch, he loses shin around his muzzle, and it looks as though at it's worst he gets pink eye. I do have meds. But what he needs I cannot afford, and I struggle I keep him as comfortable as I can, but I see him so miserable and it breaks my heart. I've known or heard of people who have had pits with similar skin issues and am wondering if there is any relation or if this is an autoimmune disorder. By the way, this poor fellow, as cute as he is, looks as though he was put together with left over parts. He is bow legged in back, somewhat pigeon-toed in front and his back end is higher than his front (that I know there is a name for, just can't remember). Can anyone help Biscuit???

...By the way Anyone who takes on a foster dog, or adopts a shelter dog with a good heart serial or not, is doing a great thing... Frankly there are not enough of us out there who are willing to take in the "undesirable" ones, who would love with uncondition love, it's unfortunate that few are willing to take the time to devote to an animal once they've been given a chance. Most are capable of being great pets... So keep going, I commend you!!!

Thank you for not giving up on her. They are one of the most lovable breeds that I know. My mom's pitt Chewy will bring you her bone in exchange for your food when you're eating. Too cute!!! I can never say no.

That column made me laugh, but I am very impressed with your emotional strength. I foster cared a bad skin condition Sheltie a couple of years ago. Gave him the long soaks, brought him back to health and then had to return him to the ARL who had found his forever home...oh my god one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. (Although I will do it again)

Bu the way your Viszla/Boston Terrier mix reminds of my (and your old pal Amy's) mom. On a visit to Miami she told me about the pit bull rule and said she doesn't care because hers is really a Golden Retriever. After cracking up for a while I told her Labrador Retriever would also be a stretch, but just a tad more believable.

Good work Dr K. You also have real pretty feet!

What a beautiful dog! How lucky she is to have found someone to take the time that you have with her. Best of luck with her recovery!