by Renee Morgan

Created on: November 07, 2008   Last Updated: November 10, 2008

Talk about timid! Have you ever met a Pitt Bull Terrier that was afraid of the dark? Little Mama was a rescued pup. Little Mama was rescue pup, who was on a puppy farm which also fought dogs. From my understanding, the supposed human owners would feed the dogs, the meat of the killed fighters. Most of the actives would take place at night and this is where Little Mama had developed her fear of the night, not to mention her other fears.

Little Mama was stolen farm the farm and given to my son as a birthday present. The person who gave her to my son told him were she came from and the she was such a beautiful animal, but so timid that she was marked for food, he just could not see that happen. When she was about 8 months old, my son came home for Christmas, wrecked his car and asked me to keep Little Mama until he could return for her. He told me that she was house broken but would not go out after dust dark, she was afraid of the dark.

After he returned home, I had begun to notice things about her. Things, as she would go hide if my one year-old granddaughter cried, if she heard the coyotes howl or if you slam the car doors. Several things made her shake in her fur and even urinate on the spot. This is when my son told me her history.

So let the work begin!

I started by letting her sleep in the bed with us at night (she would most time sleep with the last person to go to bed). I would take her with me during the day and make sure that we did not return home until nightfall. When I got out of the car, I would be sure to slam the car door while petting her. I would then begin to walk away from the house. She would follow with her tail between her legs and at times urinating while walking. I would walk a few yards from the house and sit on the ground. Then I would begin to pet and talk to her. One time I sat down on the ground and petted her for over an hour.

My family is very loud and love board games, cards, video games, action movies and company. When all of this was going on in my home, I would close any doors leading to other rooms. She would be force to stay in the living area with the noise. Once in awhile one of the boys would pick her up and make her sat beside him, petting her the entire time. Showing her their card hand and asking her to pick a card. The children soon stop play games while sitting on the floor, because Little Mama wanted to play also.

With love and patience, she soon became an energetic rescue dog. It was a good thing we live on a farm.

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