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Let's step back a bit and explain how Claire came into my life. When I
was twenty-two years old, a young man re-entered my life…this time he
had a dog, by the name of CJ, with him. Jorge had this innate
connection with CJ. It was stellar. Their bond was so special. Jorge
rescued CJ from a shelter in Florida, and helped him get move past the
fear and aggression that resulted from his previous, abusive owner. CJ
taught Jorge about the unconditional love. Their relationship inspired
me. I wanted to rescue a dog and I wanted it to be a pitbull.
CJ is an American Staffordshire Terrier crossed with Rhodesian
Ridgeback. He has so much personality in his eyes alone. I grew to know
each facial expression. I never thought this would be the breed that I
would fall in love with. I grew up believing all of the stigmas that
came with the breed. Pitbulls developed such negative reputation over
the past couple of decades. I learned later in life, for the most part,
a dog only knows what it is taught and bred to do.
It was hard finding the right match. Jorge and I were not the only ones
involved in the decision-making process. CJ had to also approve. A
couple months into our search, a little shelter on the Upper West Side
of New York City contacted us. They had recently brought in two female
Pitbulls. We had visited the shelter before, but the dogs we met did
not work out for one reason or another. We made an appointment to meet
one-year old Henna, and seven-month old Claire.
Henna was a white American Staffordshire Terrier. I remember her being
a little sensitive both physically and mentally because she had just
been spayed. There was something that drew me to her, but I was not
sure if she was "the one." While I got to know Henna, this other dog
kept yelping and howling. She wanted out of her crate so bad! She just
had to be a part of all the action! A shelter worker let her out and
off she went like the Tasmanian Devil from the Bugs Bunny cartoons.
They told us her name was Claire.
This was my first impression of Claire. She was a pistol! Her tongue
managed to fully bathe us while she simultaneously ricocheted off of
the walls. Claire seemed to be busting out at the seams with affection
and energy.
Jorge knew she was the one. I, on the other hand, was still not sure. I
did not feel that connection I imagined would be there when I met my
canine mate. While I watched Jorge play with Claire, I admired her
brindle coloring. I did want a dog with a brindle coat. She looked like
a little tiger with reversed stripes.
Then it happened. Claire came over and started licking me again. I
noticed a white mark on her forehead, a little off-center. Thinking it
was dust or even dried paint, I tried to wipe it off. Then I realized
that it was a part of her markings. That little white mark reminded me
of my mother wearing bindis (my family is from India, and bindis are a
regular statement of tradition, amongst other things). A thought went
through my head: "Claire was my little ethnic dog!" And then I felt
it-she was the one!
Unlike many rescued dogs, we knew Claire's story. Claire originally
belonged to a family in Harlem. A woman in that neighborhood regularly
saw Claire with the family's two children. One day, the neighbor
noticed these children looking sad and without Claire. The neighbor
approached the children and questioned them regarding Claire's
whereabouts. The neighbor was familiar with stories of animal
abandonment in Harlem. She knew many people in this area did not have
the knowledge or resources for having a pet. She had a feeling this was
the case regarding Claire's situation.
The children told her that their father forced them to give Claire up.
They tied her up in an area of the neighborhood that was notoriously
known for pitbull fighting. Whether the family realized it or not, they
had left Claire for bait. After learning all of this, the neighbor
found Claire and took her into her home on a temporary basis. Claire
was physically fine, but obviously distressed for being alone for those
few hours. Jorge and I are forever grateful to this woman for playing a
significant part in bringing Claire into our lives.
Claire has taught me some tough lessons in patience and unconditional
love. Everyday she impresses me with the training she retains and
displays. The communication between dog and human puts me in awe.
Claire's quirky character and mischievous ways always get her into
troublesome fun. Whether or not she makes me crazy from her antics, I
absolutely love every moment of it. She is so curious and so genuine.
Claire has completed our little canine family. She has found her niche
and filled our days with love and laughter. Whether I am gone for five
minutes or five hours, I receive the same energetic, super-loving
greeting. It's stellar.
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