(1995) Early one morning, Chicago Humane Org "Tree House Foundation" received a call from Police. An officer had found a large male APBT with an apparently broken leg limping down the street. The officer took the dog to a nearby animal lover's house who was known to take in strays. They lured him into one of the dog runs in his back yard.

The dog was obviously in severe pain and required immediate attention, so the officer called Tree House and they sent two investigators and photographer to check out the situation. In addition to a softball sized joint on his leg he had numerous scrapes and cuts on his body.

The Humane organization took him to the vet and found that in addition to the fresh injuries, the dog was also filled with old, healed bite wounds on his head - a very strong indication of a fighting dog.

His adoption prognosis was not good, his leg was filled with fluid and the chances of anyone wanting to adopt a scarred up male pit bull who most likely had been used as a fighting dog were very slim. Nevertheless the organization decided to give him a chance and arranged for him to go back to the original rescuer's back yard who had agreed to foster him until a home was found. He stayed there and recovered for a few months.

Rhonda Cook and her husband, Ted, from Illinois, went to see him one afternoon. She describes her feelings when she first saw *Scar* as a rush of emotions ranging from pain, anger, disgust, compassion, as well as fear. "He was such a powerful dog, we didn't know what we might be getting ourselves into. He wasn't exactly the dog my husband had agreed to, but I was afraid if we didn't take him home, he would change his mind."

For the next three years Ted and Rhonda watched Scar slowly come out of his shell helped by their show dog, Billy, who has helped him learn to be a normal dog in many ways. He is truly a gentle giant, his internal wounds were so deep, however, for a long time he wouldn't even wag his tail.

Scar is still haunted by his past, certain clicking noises, umbrellas opening, windows sliding up all seem to trigger frightening memories. Sometimes he'll wake up from his sleep and bolt from the room so it seems his past haunts his dreams.

Today, 5 years after Rhonda and Ted saw that frightened injured pit bull in the rescuer's back yard, the uncertainty they felt over their initial decision to take him home has been replaced by gratitude for the happiness he has brought them.

Rhonda enjoyes spoiling him rotten and hopes his story will encourage others to give a rescued dog a chance. Scarface deserved his chance. He enjoys spending an afternoon in the hammock and hanging out with his AmStaff buddy, Billy (Ch. Cloverhill's Tatanka Warrior).

Rhonda's Rescues