Drake’s story begins at the Prince George’s County Animal Shelter, where he was surrendered by his owner. Despite his adorable appearance with a big grin and a muscly body, Drake’s breed put him at a higher risk of euthanasia. Alona, who met Drake at the shelter, narrates his journey.
The most common reason for dogs being surrendered to the shelter is housing issues, with high eviction rates in the county. Drake, being a pit bull mix, faced additional challenges as there was a ban on owning pit bulls in the area. Fortunately, a rescue organization stepped in to save him from euthanasia, but Drake faced several hurdles thereafter.
He was transferred to a foster home but couldn’t stay there long term due to medical reasons. Then, he was adopted but returned to the shelter after just three weeks. With limited options, Alona and her husband decided to foster Drake, despite having a baby and another dog named Honey Pie.
Drake’s adaptation to his new environment was remarkable. Despite being initially kept separate from the other animals and the baby for safety reasons, Drake quickly showed his affectionate and trusting nature. He formed a strong bond with Alona’s family, especially with their baby, creating heartwarming moments like sitting under the high chair during mealtime.
Despite his 72-pound size, Drake considers himself a lap dog, always craving physical closeness. Alona emphasizes the unfair judgment placed on bully breeds like Drake, urging people not to judge based solely on appearance. She highlights the rewarding experience of fostering dogs like Drake, who have so much love to give despite societal biases.
Alona and her husband are determined to find the perfect forever home for Drake, where he’ll be cherished and loved as he deserves. They believe that Drake has made them better foster parents and better people, and they’re committed to continuing their fostering journey while searching for Drake’s forever family.
