I have to start this review by describing my dogs and their issues so you can get the full scope of what Laurel Acres had to deal with. If you watch "Dog Whisperer", my female pit is best described as "unbalanced."
Three years ago, as a dog rescue volunteer, I rescued Indie. She was from South Central Los Angeles, saved from a high kill shelter where she was red listed - due to be euthanized. I never had a dog as an adult, and me being me, chose to take on a young pit bull. She's absolutely lovely with people and kids, obedient and sweet - I fell in love with her on sight. But this Jeckyl has a Hyde. My girl has a very strong prey drive (red zone case) and doesn't not like other dominant dogs. She doesn't start fights with dogs, but she will try to end them. It's a frightening situation - to see your sweet dog turn into something very ugly and dangerous. And so you know, I'm no lazy dog guardian - I have been working with trainers with her ever since we got her - she spent 3 months in a boot camp but it still couldn't break the drive. So, we deal with it best we know how with daily exercise, discipline, affection. Now you know a little of my dog - and my hesitation of taking her to a kennel. To add to everything else, she has a history of not doing well in confined spaces. I forgot about that until I took her to the kennel.
I have a second dog, my boy Elvis who is also a pit bull but completely opposite of Indie. He's sweet, submissive - I think he was severely abused before I found him. He was a street dog in South Central - found eating out of a garbage can. I worked very hard with him to overcome fear and he's been a dream - I felt like he was my reward for the hardships we faced with Indie.
So, first of all, try finding a dog sitting service or kennel that takes pit bulls. Not always an easy task. I found Laure Acres and wanted to try it out for one overnight. I called and checked - yes, they took pits. I went and toured the facility. It was a standard looking kennel on a beautiful piece of property. I was there unannounced and it was as clean as it could be. I was attracted to the family run because of size and had planned to keep both dogs together since they were inseparable.
The big day came and I took them to drop them off. Yep, I cried. So pathetic.... the workers came to take them back to the kennel and they happily went. I got the first call from the kennel about a half hour later. Indie had gone beserk. Biting at the fence - there had been a dog in the run next to them. So, they moved them to a kennel with no dog next to them. Hopefully, everything would be ok....
Then, the second call came. As soon as the number flashed I thought "Well, that's it, we're going to have to go pick them up, they're getting kicked out." I answered hesitantly and couldn't believe what I heard. Indie attacked Elvis. That has NEVER happened in time I've had them together - over a year - they never had so much as a disagreement so I was taken aback. Indie's mental breakdown made her lash out at him. The kennel employees broke up the dogs and separated them. They had both been bloodied in the battle and the team there took care to bathe them and ask me if I wanted them to take them to the vet. Being that I've been in rescue for a few years and have broken up my share of dog fights, I wasn't overreactive to the injuries - I trusted the kennel to let me know if they needed to go. They said there were scratches and punctures, but nothing that needed stitches. Elvis was moved to another kennel. After all this, surely you'd think they'd say - "Pick up your dogs", right? To my shock and surprise, they didn't. I went the next morning to pick up the dogs and apologize - feeling horrible about what the kennel had to endure with my pups. They had taken everything in stride and were so kind and courteous. One of the managers there is very familiar with the pit breed and was sympathetic and understanding to my plight. That really helped me to feel better as obviously, it's very stressful to have to worry so much.
To the point - finally. Obviously these people dealt with the worst of the worst - a crazy pit bull. A dog fight. If they can deal with that with style and grace, I'm sure they can handle anything. I will try to spare them from my crazy dog again, but if I don't have the option, I trust them to keep an eye on her when I cannot. read more