Rufus The Red Nose Pitbull

Rufus’ Rescue Story

My name is Caleb. I was trucking through Utah when I and my teammate met another trucker who had a puppy. The dog was an 8 week old “red nose” baby pitbull. There is no room for a puppy to play on a rig. An active puppy left alone in a cab will only get in trouble. Cables and upholstery get chewed in anxiety. The driver slapped the pup in the face to punish him. He hit the little guy for using the bathroom in the truck. He didn’t feed this baby, to keep him from using the bathroom. Then, he slapped the dog around for play… to make this baby pittie mean – and there were signs that it was working. This puppy had a strong will and an alpha attitude. He would bite at any hand put toward him. All I could see for this dog was a bleak future. So, my teammate and I diplomatically took the puppy away. During this time, I found a name that seems to fit. Rufus = red hair in Latin. We still had a few weeks on the road before there was home time. We made special rest-stops and forgave any mischief Rufus caused. Since there were two of us, he got a lot of individual attention. I determined that my house with my girlfriend, Nellie Mullins, and our four dogs was where Rufus would stay until we could find a forever-home for him.

We got him out of harm’s way, but couldn’t keep him. All the rescues for 100 miles were full and they advised me to make a FB page to get him adopted. Then Rufus got real sick. Took him to the vet, they gave him fluids and said the Parvo test was negative. He perked up but several days later fell very ill again – and it was indeed Parvo. He was hospitalized and he pulled through. That is where he met his forever-mom. A Vet-Tech who worked with him. He was socialized and became a happy, friendly little boy.

By saving Rufus the Rednose Pitbull, I did a lot of homework on his breed. Although I have an AmStafF at home, I still believed many of the myths. Knowing him changed the entire direction of my life. I post and cross-post to help other dogs. I do what I can to advocate for his breed. I understand training on a whole new level. Dogs are my life because of this little baby boy.

In an unusual act, Rufus dug out and escaped the yard. He was hit by a car. He was brought to his mommy’s office, where it was determined that his injuries were too severe, and he was euthanized. Rufus was 15 months old. I suppose I can appreciate that he got to know a normal existence, with love in a family pack for most of his short life…

Rufus, you were never meant to be mine, but you are always in my heart. Your time on earth influenced me to be a better human. Rest in Peace Good Boy.  By Caleb England