Tank
Sunday, January 1, 2012
By: Karl Schneider

Adopted in September 2011

We adopted Tank, our Pit Bull mix in mid-September after three separate interactions between him and Brownie, our chocolate Lab.

The first interaction didn't go well at all. In fact, it went so badly that we were told that we couldn't adopt Tank. I was crushed. After hearing the news, I walked back to the kennels in tears to say goodbye to the dog that grabbed my heart the first time I met him. While I was talking to him, I decided that I wasn't giving up that easily. On my way out, I set up another interaction.

The second meeting went much better. Brownie started to warm up to Tank, who was still as ready to play as he was at our earlier introduction. I was told that there was no reason that we couldn't adopt Tank.

I was ecstatic! I called my partner to tell him the news, only to have him say that he wanted another interaction, going for the best two of three.

Crossing my fingers, I scheduled a third meeting when we could both be present.

On Sunday, September 18th we had our final interaction. This time, the staffer who oversaw the meeting was a little guarded, worrying that Tank may one day tire of Brownie's standoffishness and decide to show her that he is the boss. This was not good news at all, but it wasn't a definite no go.

After much discussion in the parking lot, we decided to give Tank a chance.

The first few weeks after we brought him home, we kept him and Brownie separated whenever we were gone so we wouldn't have to worry about things going wrong. After being kept apart from Brownie for a couple of weeks, he started getting destructive. Books, assorted tsotchkes and a pair of shoes later, we decided to try leaving them alone for short periods.

Success! After leaving them unsupervised for longer and longer periods, they now have full run of the house all the time. Aside from a couple of Christmas ornaments that they knocked off the tree, the only things that they're chewing on are their toys.

Tank and Brownie have grown to be best friends. They love to play tug of war and share all their toys. Tank invariably gives in and rolls on his back to let Brownie win.

He's an incorrigible kisser and the most lovable dog I've ever met. He's almost always by my side or at my feet unless he's sprawled out next to or on top of me on the couch!

Tank is (almost) a perfect gentleman whenever we have guests. In fact, we had friends over last night, some of whom he had never met. We always tell people about our dogs when we invite them over for the first time, just so we can work to dispel any notions they may have about pit bulls.

He did such a good job as ambassador that he was curled up in one new friend's lap with him scratching Tank's head and watching his tail wag with joy by the end of the night. Our friend commented that Tank had showed him a side of the breed that he didn't think they were capable of.

Good dog, Tank!