Mama's Home

Mama mosied over and climbed into the chair across from me with all of the elegance of a potbellied pig. She plopped onto her butt and looked me in the face. Staring back at her, I thought she was amazing.

“Good morning Mama!” I smiled. “Would you like to discuss philosophy or fashion? Maybe, play cards like that famous picture?”

In true Mama fashion, she leans forward and licks me. I wasn’t happy when Kate, my oldest daughter, adopted a pit bull. I thought she would be unpredictable and aggressive. But, Mama is as predictable and aggressive (and energetic) as a cotton ball laying on my bathroom counter.

When Animal Control received the report on Mama and her four puppies a year earlier, they were living on a fenced in concrete slab with no shelter. All were underweight, ribs showing, with severe skin infections. Mama was heartworm positive. She still has bald patches as reminders of the searing concrete.

Mama was so sickly when she arrived at Animal Control that she was slated for euthanasia. One of her puppies died. The other three were treated and quickly adopted. But, Mama was deemed unadoptable because of her poor health.

“I didn’t call you to put her down! She is too sweet and deserves better than what she has had!” argued the mail carrier who had befriended Mama on her route. “I have a friend who fosters dogs and has volunteered to take her. Give her a chance!”

The mail carrier won! Mama’s foster began her treatments for her heartworms and skin infections. She started to gain weight and gain weight and gain weight until she resembled a sausage. Every day, Mama enjoyed her spa-like lotion rub down for her skin. Still to this day, allergies and skin problems plague her. The vet even put her on an alligator diet as a remedy.

Her foster was truly wonderful. But, Mama is just so loveable it’s hard not to spoil her. Three months after bringing Mama home, her foster would take in three more pit bulls as there was a need to clear the shelter amid the forced pandemic closure. I don’t know how she did it with four foster pit bulls and one of her own plus Mama’s special needs.

Mama feels it necessary to supplement her diet of alligator. She’s been known to climb onto the counter to eat a freshly baked homemade apple pie. Remote controls are not off limits. Garbage is also a favorite as are Girl Scout cookies kept behind a closed door. Her ability to find any remnant of food then contort her sausage-shaped body into retrieving it is as amazing as the Great Houdini.

Kate had always said she wanted to adopt a “lonely hearts club” dog which are dogs having trouble being adopted. She was moving into an apartment alone. Though she was in college and worked part-time, she felt the timing was right. She found herself with a lot of alone time during the pandemic.

Kate put in her application for a Chihuahua who was missing patches of hair. His foster didn’t contact Kate for almost a month. By this time, a mutual friend of Kate and Mama’s foster suggested that Kate meet Mama. When Kate arrived to meet Mama, she walked right up and started licking Kate, and then she sat on her lap. There was an immediate connection. Kate thought she should think about it but Mama didn’t. She ran straight to Kate’s car and tried to get in. After a year in foster care, Mama was ready to go home!

Mama has been home for almost a year now. The whole family loves her! She’s perfect. Mama is loveable and sweet. If you walk her without a leash, she will stay right next to you. She doesn’t bark or jump. Mama’s incredibly gentle and nurturing. But, she is very protective of Kate.

Usually, Mama can be found lying on the coldest part of the floor or the sofa. Occasionally, she likes to sunbathe. She loves belly rubs. We really believe she thinks she is a person.

Because Mama is so calm and nurturing with a laid-back attitude, she has been the perfect therapy dog for Kate who has anxiety. Mama snuggles with Kate. They go on walks and to the dog park. She’s excited to see Kate when she gets home. Kate even broke up with a boyfriend who didn’t treat Mama right.

When they are apart, they miss each other. I never could’ve predicted this deep bond between Kate and Mama. Or, that I would ever fall in love with the most perfect pittie!