Meet Satchel...

On April 16, 2008, Helping The Helpless received an email about a beautiful Chocolate and White Pit Bull momma who was found protecting her 9 week old pup along the side of a major highway in Ohio.  They found themselves in a shelter where sadly they were due to be put to sleep.  HTH immediately feel in love with these two beauties and committed to taking them into rescue!  Before the pups even arrived we had their names chosen 'Matrie' meaning Mother in Latin, as we were told and later confirmed for ourselves, what an outstanding Momma she was!  Satchel, meaning child, just set the tone for this little, helpless family.  After days of coordinating, email, phone conversations and hours of travel, Matrie and Satchel both arrived safe and well traveled to our home here in Coatesville! 

Here are some pictures along their route to PA:

My Family and I immediately fell in love with Matrie and her sweet little boy.  Matrie remained with us for about 2 mos until she found a home to call her own, right up the road!  She was a pleasure to have in our home, adored our children, had terrific manners tho did prefer to be the only dog.  She is now with a loving couple who just adore her.  You can see Matrie's happy tail here on our web page. 

 Satchel remained here with us for about another month.  At which point we thought we had found yet another great adoptive family for Satchel...boy were we wrong.  After thoroughly screening Satchel's potential home and meeting his new family we were sure that he would be as happy as Matrie, much to our dismay, Satchel returned 1 month later, absolutely terrified of men.  We immediately knew what had happened, as he did not leave our home apprehensive of anything!  In fact, he was a very confident, happy and playful little boy. 

See Satchel as a Puppy HERE!

When the family called to say they had to return him b/c he 'bit her husband,' we didn't blink an eye and took him back in.  My first thought being, 'he's a 4.5 mos old puppy,  Puppies bite!  And, Satchel had never once shown any aggression here in our home to myself, my husband or our children.'  With open arms, Satchel came back home.  Upon immediate re entry to our home he ran from the front of the house to the back about 1/2 dozen times, peeing with glee the entire way!  He ran up to each of my young children kissing them as if to say 'boy did I miss you guys!.'  We showered Satchel with love and affection, and food, as we noticed he was on the skinny side.  It wasn't until my Husband came home that we saw the concern.  Satchel sat cowered and terrified in the corner.  It was as tho Satchel remembered his Foster Dad, but was very unsure about what may happen upon approach.  As the days went on we saw more of the trauma that had occurred in just the month he was away.  If we picked up a broom, the vacuum or any other object, Satchel became very apprehensive and would cower.  Before Satchel left us he was fully crate trained and well on his way to being housebroken.  Now, Satchel went potty constantly in his crate and acted like a very different dog when confined to his crate.  It was evident that the abuse took place both inside and out.

After days and weeks of observing Satchel's apprehensive yet loving personality we set our sites once again on 'rescuing Satchel,' tho this time from the abuse he had suffered away from our home.  Through this we never doubted that he understood his boundaries here or that he adored our children as he always had.  His confidence, however, was not where it once had been.  With out proper boundaries being set and positive reinforcement being used we saw that Satchel's damaged mind could pose  concern.  So, we devoted ourselves to walking Satchel, working with a behaviorist.  The first trainer who offered to help evaluated Satchel, she confirmed that he had most likely suffered abuse at the hand of a man, was hand shy, but adoptable.  We later sought the help of a behaviorist who was more local, and just like Ceaser Milan says, our behaviorist relayed to us that 'what happens in the past, stays in the past.'  Keeping Satchel focused, confident and giving him a job will ensure that he continues to behave appropriately.

 Satchel has now been back here with us for 9 mos.  He remains apprehensive to meeting new men but is the most loving and kind dog towards those that he trusts and my children.  Satchel needs and very much enjoys daily walks and discipline (working.)  He is obedient, quick and eager to learn.  He loves to snuggle in bed and is housebroken, tho still goes potty in his crate, I just don't think that the negative concept of a crate to Satchel, has fully left him.  With 11+ dogs here in our home, they each need their own little place to call their own tho.  Satchel adores our children, he gently greets them with a kiss before going about his business.  Satchel continues to have a friend in Juan, his behaviorist, who works with him on a weekly basis, taking him new places and keeping him focused on the positive.  Satchel's favorite canine companions are other female dogs, he's a ladies man all around!  Upon proper introduction, Satchel would do well in a home with another female dog, he is very submissive to his 'girlfriends' :-)  Satchel does play too rough with kitties and cannot go to a home with Cats.  After many months of positive reinforcement, discipline and love, Satchel is more than ready for an experienced home to call his own.  He is seeking a family and human who can understand his past, read his signals, know his needs and who is dedicated to walking and working Satchel every day.  An Owner who Satchel can continue to gain his confidence from and who will only treat him like the wonderful Canine that he is.

See Satchel in action here!

Satchel has found his forever home :)  His foster Mommy just couldn't let him go, so he now enjoys life with three human and 6 canine siblings.