I’ve decided to write again, this time in a series appreciating the beings that are present in my life every day. Each one is written to coincide with either a significant date, or present timing in my life.

Today, I’m starting with (almost) Mr. Worldwide, and no, it’s not H…..

It’s Stitch, my beloved soon to be 5 year old (but acts like 1) Memphis Terrier.

We didn’t have the best start. There were a lot of tears on my end for a large amount of time with him, as well as more recently but for a different reason. I didn’t have him as a puppy, so it’s been a long road to acceptance that he is just who he is.

His origin story:

One day at school, as I walked down the set of main stairs, I heard the speech therapist talking to the front desk manager about a dog that was at the middle school, but was going to go to the shelter likely that day or the next. I immediately was intrigued because even though I applaud most things Memphis and animal shelters, I knew that the likelihood of a success story coming from there, wasn’t going to have a great shot.

So naturally I asked about the dog, and they said “pit probably.” I’m familiar with the stereotypes that said dogs get. I’ve always been okay with dogs, my family always had them. My grandma always told me when I was younger that she hoped I would’ve become a veterinarian. We generally had small dogs though, a Jack Russell, a Miniature Pinscher, my grandparents had a Lhasa apso, a chocolate lab, or small mutts throughout the family too. Never anything huge. The first “menacing” dog was a tick-covered rescue that literally walked up to my parents in the yard and went belly up for rubs after being dumped in our neighborhood. Roughly 80 stocky pounds of Lenny. But no dog more loving or lovable than him. Looks scary, but would barely hurt a fly.

So I thought to myself, surely I could also do it. I could also take in this dog and save it from almost certain death. Meanwhile, the front desk manager was already telling me how many pits she had and how they are the best dogs, and said she’d pick him up from the middle school and bring him over for a meet. I began feeling a little overwhelmed then.

Needless to say that when he showed up he seemed a little strung out, so same. But rightfully so because a hoard of high school kids also rushed to greet him. No signs of aggression, a good sign. I’d like to say I thought about it for a long time, but time was not on his side, so I agreed to take him in that weekend if the person then holding on to him, could hold him for a little longer.

He had apparently wandered up to the middle school soccer team while they were practicing at a nearby park, and followed them back to school. He did a stint in a few homes with staff there, and spent days at the school sometimes, my understanding is that kids who needed a break took him for bathroom breaks to chill out or calm down. The person who had him before me also had a cat, and it was said to me that they didn’t bother each other, and while separated, it was respected. That was important to me because I had a cat, and I couldn’t imagine losing said cat to a dog I barely knew.

Anyways, I couldn’t think of a name. He had been tentatively been called “Rocket” or “Nugget” depending on who you asked. I knew there was something better out there for him. So I called him every name I could think of. I employed kids at the school to vote on a list of names if he didn’t respond. I even tried names and commands in Spanish just in case he came from a Spanish-speaking family, and no dice. **We have since found out he loves tamales and conchas though**

Then one day, while in the backyard, he was doing his chasing tail routine and doing zoomies. And thus, I said “Stitch!?” and he looked at me. It was the first time I called him by a name and he responded. It fits because he is very capable of being a complete spazz, like Stitch from Lilo and Stitch, but his brown patches look stitched all over his body, and that’s the general answer I give people to make him out to be preemptively well liked.

Regarding the cat, I had two baby gates in my house to keep them on separate sides. Stitch had just shown too much interest in Caspian, and I didn’t want to risk it alone. Time was shared in common spaces. It was like West Side Story in my house, and that often led to a lot of stress on my end. He also came up heart worm positive after initially being negative and being on prevention, he also got side swiped by a car once, and while it didn’t phase him one bit, it was a rough time for me.

I ended up taking him to daycare where he got to expend a lot of energy, and it was magical for him. And then, 2020 happened. H also unofficially moved in, so it just made sense to keep Stitch home, as most people found themselves doing during the pandemic. He got to do a lot of new things since H was around, like taking long walks on trails sans leash, or prancing around in a river. And soon enough Stitch and Caspian could share the same space. The interest always remained, although Caspian is still not a fan, 4 years later.

I took it upon myself to do the slow-kill method for heart worms, and I’m proud to say that he’s worm free now. The typical process itself would’ve killed my dog. I knew that being kennel confined would’ve ruined his spirit, and I’m glad I knew him enough to take that chance and have it work out. **if you have a dog with heart worms, please seek advice from your vet on the best course of action**

I think that was the moment I really knew that this dog is staying for the long haul.

Two Christmases ago, we got him a DNA test. Surprisingly he is not an American Pit Bull Terrier, but 77% another breed that just gets lumped into that category, which he also doesn’t look like…and then a bunch of designer dogs mixed in, like a Soft-Coated Wheaton Terrier (LOL since he practically has no hair), a Brazilian Terrier, a Norwegian Bulhund, and German Short Hair Pointer… he really doesn’t look like many of these other dogs, but they may just be his saving grace.

When H and I first started looking at first posts available, I knew immediately Stitch would likely be an issue. Some countries have unrightfully banned breeds and mixes of such, airlines often refuse to fly them, and it’s just a mess.

I knew Stitch could never be the monster that the world may think he could me. Places like Lisbon, London, and a bunch of other nice places were basically thrown to the wind.

Luckily, Lomé didn’t have a lot of restrictions and we could fly him direct from Newark to Lomé in cargo with no issues on Ethiopian.

But now that we’re looking onward to after Lomé, a lot of those places have sprung up again. And the initial feelings became a lot tougher now. On top of all of the other hurdles that exist, this is the worst one. Luckily, I’ve now been able to find hope in getting him to be able to come with us, it’s not easy, but research goes a long way on exact country and local laws regarding “dangerous breeds”. It’s still limiting though when it shouldn’t be. For instance, almost immediate emails saying “No, you cannot import him”or “No, you will not find housing with him.” It’s a lot, and a lot of tears followed because that was one more place that may have been the perfect fit otherwise.

I wish no one would judge my dog. But unfortunately that will always be the case until people educate themselves on dogs, and people get the proper training if they’re owning one and stop over breeding.

But if he knew what I was saying, I would say this to Stitch:

It has not been easy, and mostly likely will never be. And although I may have not been the best dog mom to you, I could not imagine my life without you. I’m determined to change peoples minds about you as you go almost worldwide (thankfully you’re not 40+ years old making the same music *ahem* Pitbull aka Mr. Worldwide). Your energy is bewildering to me, but I hope you never lose it. I know Caspian isn’t the easiest guy to please, and you take his swipes with grace, and you seemingly let him eat your food if he beats you to the bowl. You wormed your way into your dads heart and many more too. Even though you still beg like a street dog, are stinky, eat everything and anything off the floor or street, have nonstop energy even at bed time, or still pull hard on the leash to pee on every bush, but ultimately you deserve all the pup-cups and always will.

Thank you for being my stay-at-home buddy throughout all of this. Whether it’s Memphis, Lomé, Europe, South America, or anywhere. You will never be left to find another family again. That I can promise you, we are your forever family.

Okay, I know, that was weird. He’s sitting with me on the couch and he has the most judgmental look on his face, but that’s really just the typical face I get.

If you’re a proud pet parent, I’d love to hear about them, “dangerous breed” or not.

Cross your fingers for Stitch, Caspian, H, and I that our dream posts become a reality for our entire family including our fur kids. I’ll be sure to share where’s next later on too. Anyways, off to fill a bowl with whipped cream for the second time today for the good boy!

All the best,

Carrie