By Jarissa Aquinde, Positively Woof Rescue and Adoption Story Editor
“Tembo is my first dog. I knew I wanted to adopt an adult dog, but didn’t know much more than that. I found a local shelter on Petfinder and went to take a look. I remember them asking “would you adopt a Pit Bull?” “Sure!” I said, “as long as they are a great dog.” It turns out Tembo had been in the shelter for seven months, being passed over due to his “breed” over and over again. I took him home and he could not be more perfect. Sensitive, kind, great with all creatures. Everyone who meets him says they want a Pit Bull!
We were searching for Laika as our second dog. Tembo was such a loving Pit Bull, we knew we wanted a second to be his little sister. Once I saw her face on Petfinder, I knew she was the one. She had been pulled off at NY ACC’s euthanasia list (for kennel cough!) by a local rescue called For Our Friends. She lived with a nice couple and their 16 year old Pit Bull. When we went to meet her (and left with her, of course!), they said she was the best foster they had ever had. Laika makes us laugh. Every. Single. Day. She gives her brother a hard time, but could not be more in love with him. Unfortunately, she is dog aggressive, but is kind and gentle with her aging older brother, Tembo. They are always together.
Laika was named after the first dog in space. A mutt off the street that was trained to go into orbit, but died of heat stroke on the way up. Laika means “barker” in Russian, although she isn’t much of one. I call her a “space cadet.”
I am a veterinarian and work at NY ACC once a month, helping hundreds of dogs like Laika get healthy so they can find a home. Unfortunately, there are still some happy dogs put on the euthanasia list and each one of those dogs reminds me of Laika. Luckily, we have access to rescues that do just that- come to the rescue for these dogs! Each sad, scared dog has a happy ending around the corner, just like Laika.”
Follow these precious pibble siblings on Instagram @temboandlaika
