The world is filled with various biases, many of which target animals, particularly dogs. One of the most prevalent misconceptions is that Pit Bulls are a breed hard to adopt.
This mindset has resulted in numerous people avoiding the idea of offering a Pittie a loving home, leaving these animals to struggle on their own.
Luckily, not everyone shares this view, exemplified by Caitlyn, who made the spontaneous choice to welcome a Pittie into her home.
This decision changed her life in remarkable ways…
An Anything But Easy Start
When Liv, a Pit Bull, was discovered as a stray, she was in poor condition—emaciated, with a sagging belly from overbreeding and ears that were bent from a possibly botched cropping.
However, upon seeing her sorrowful eyes—which spoke volumes about her troubled past—Caitlyn from Charlotte, North Carolina, fell in love immediately.
Even though she already had a Pit Bull at her home, Caitlyn couldn’t resist bringing this gorgeous girl into her life. Thus, she chose to become her foster mom.
“We’re thrilled to announce we’ve embarked on a new journey, but this isn’t just a road trip! We are fostering Liv! ❤️” she shared in her Instagram update. “This darling little girl is still adapting. She’s quite skittish and anxious, but loves to cuddle in my lap, holding my hand for hours!”
Given her rough history, it was understandable how challenging her adjustment was. However, with time, things began to improve.
“Little Liv may be small, but she carries a HUGE heart. I have seen her transform in just under a week—she went from being a frightened girl who barely wagged her tail to snatching Tot’s toys, pushing him out of the way to be first, and chasing us around the house!” Caitlyn shared in another Instagram post.
You might be curious about who Tot is. This detail is perhaps the most beautiful part of the story.
Tot Became Her Path to Happiness
“She would refuse to go for walks until I started including Tater Tot in our strolls,” Caitlyn mentioned to GeoBeats Animals.
Remember that Caitlyn already had another Pit Bull at home? That’s Tater Tot.
The connection was instant, and soon Liv and Tot were inseparable. They bonded over shared experiences and understood each other deeply, not only due to their breed but also their status as rescue dogs.
What’s even more remarkable is that Tater Tot is quite selective about his canine companions, often unfriendly to most other dogs, especially new ones.
“I was so anxious about their first meeting. One night, Liv accidentally toppled her gate, injuring my foot in the process 🤣—it hurt so much and left a huge bruise,” Caitlyn recalled in her Instagram post. “She dashed out to greet Tot, they instantly started playing while I hoped it wouldn’t escalate into a fight—it’s all history from there.”
Although Liv had informally become part of the family, she was still under foster care. The bond formed between her and Tot ultimately prompted Caitlyn to solidify the change in Liv’s life.
From that moment on, Liv was renamed Sweet Pea by her new mom. More importantly, she officially became a cherished member of the family.
This black Pit Bull found her true home at last.
She Flourished Surrounded by Her Loved Ones
Since arriving at her new home, Sweet Pea has undergone as many as five surgeries. One of her most noticeable scars was on her face, a remnant from her past.
Once that last wound was healed, all traces of her previous life faded, allowing a fresh, joyful chapter to begin.
Defying her difficult history, Sweet Pea transformed into a loving and devoted dog. She loves to rest her paws on her mom’s hand, enjoy gentle head scratches, and offer comfort to her loved ones when they’re feeling down. Her family means everything to her.
“To this day, she refuses to go for walks unless the three of us are together,” Caitlyn explained to GeoBeats Animals. “It doesn’t matter what else is happening; what matters is that I’m with her or that Tater Tot is too.”
This loving trio often visited Caitlyn’s mom at work, where there was ample space for the dogs to run around. Sweet Pea would play briefly before returning to protectively stand next to her mom or grandmother. Even when off-leash, she wouldn’t wander far from her family.
Through it all, this Pittie summoned every last bit of strength to endure and overcome her struggles. The love and support from her family became her driving force, transforming her life into one rich with meaning.
Most importantly, this black Pit Bull proved to the world that love conquers all biases and misconceptions, triumphing in the end.
All it takes is finding the right people.
