I have adopted four dogs from AZ Mastiff Rescue. The first 2 were a pair of 4.5 yo bonded litter mate Cane Corso siblings...male & female. I had lost 2 dogs within 3 mo of each other (a Presa Canario & a Pit/Mastiff mix) & was wanting to adopt 2. I know how hard it is to get 2 dogs adopted together of any size, let alone two giants, so it made sense to meet them first. I expected to pay 2 adoption fees, but as they wanted these 2 be kept together, they graciously only charged me one, which was appreciated. I was also so very grateful that they would not separate he pair even though there were people interested in one or the other. What a tremendous difference it made in the lives of dogs together since birth. They were incredibly close & who knows what separating them would have done to their personalities. Both were some of the easiest dogs I have ever transitioned into my home...well mannered, loving, loved humans & other dogs. Still receiving AMR new dog arrival updates, about 1 yr after adopting my Corsos, a 1 yo Presa that reminded me of both the dogs I lost before them came into rescue. I wasn't looking to adopt a 3rd, didn't need a 3rd giant dog, & had a trip out of town a month later, so I did nothing, telling myself this Presa would surely be gone by the time I came back. But he was there when I returned...tho again I still did nothing. Until one day, as I had marked him as a favorite, I got an email update...& when I got updates in the past, it was always because they had been adopted. When I saw there was an update on him, I screamed out loud..."oh-no!" when my reaction should have been "oh-good he was adopted"! Crazy as it sounds, it felt like someone had gotten MY dog! Well, he hadn't been adopted, they had just updated his pictures! My reaction told me I needed to go meet him, so my 2 Corsos & I did just that. Not uncommon, he didn't show his true personality at that visit. He was polite, but clearly scared & didn't present enthused to be adopted. He had clearly been thru something & AMR was his safe space. Nevertheless, I adopted him, & he was the best little brother my Corsos could have had. There was not one fight ever! His spirit exudes pure joy. He was incredibly close with the Corsos, but it was when they were in their own final days (they passed 4 mo apart) that I saw how intently & lovingly he looked after them. Clearly depressed when they were gone, he needed a new sibling. Always friendly to big & little dogs alike early on, but after covid my dogs rarely interacted with other dogs, & he acted weird with every one we introduced him to. So I did a foster to adopt, picking a dog who had been there a long time. Long story short, it was quickly clear they weren't a good match (but that dog did get her perfect forever home soon after). Darlene had a very good sense of my Presa's personality & his issues, & recommended a 10 mo old female who had come from a horrible abuse/neglect situation. Again did a foster to adopt. This new little girl we immediately discovered had also gotten some bad medical interventions before she got to AMR, & needed help fast. Darlene was in continuous communication with me as we determined what was needed, & she quickly found a way to get her the care she would have died without. I transported her to a wonderful volunteer who drove her a significant distance to a fabulous vet who performed surgery & looked after her for a week assuring she was ok & Darlene herself devoted an entire day driving to retrieve her so I could get her back. While it wasn't love at first sight, in just a few days they were playing. Were I making a selection just for me, I could find dozens of dogs dozens of places but it was critical that I find a good match for my Presa. And she truly found us the right dog for him! These breeds hold a special place in my heart, & they are not only powerful dogs, but they have special & powerful personalities...& it is clear that this rescue has the unique experience to get the right dogs into the right homes from literally doing this devoted work for decades! When I read the critical reviews, I felt it imperative to share my personal experience. To hear people complain about the adoption fees makes me crazy! I know they had my first three for months before I adopted them & I know what that costs in food & medical care (some they care for, for years). My youngest had surgery that far exceeded her adoption fee. These amazing people save hundreds of these giant breeds every year & do so fueled on the efforts of amazing volunteers, donations, & events. They don't do what is easiest, they do what is in the best interest of each individual dog, as they should. This is truly a labor of love! And I am forever grateful to them for my dog family! read more