Come visit us at our location in Sanford directly behind the Paw Park Dog Park

Yes, you're seeing right ~ Arthur is a pure bred English Bulldog.  He and Emmy, his best friend in the whole wide world, came to us because their owner was moving out of state.  They were in very unfortunate condition because they had been kept outdoors.  English Bulldogs are very sensitive to heat, and ~ this might come as a shock to you ~ it is hot in Florida in the summer!  These pumpkins had terrible ear infections (common in the breed), infected cuts on their faces and legs, underweight,....  Honestly, your heart would break.  You can see some of the issues in their initial photos.  Fortunately they were heartworm negative, so they don't have that to deal with.

I can't begin to describe to you how happy they were to be in their foster's home.  I'm not lying when I say you would tear up to see them.  They are all kisses and floppy tongues, cuddles and snores!  In fact, their foster says that the family is pretty much covered in dog slime all the time because these two darlings can't get enough of their attention and only knows how to express their joy with licks and kisses!  I'm told, " they loved the car ride, she is good on the leash, he is quite the puller.   Did well in the crates at our house, even with our other three dogs caterwauling in the other room.   They have always been together and kept touching noses all the time, as if to check on each other.  When the vet tech would take one of them out of the room, the other would clearly be waiting for their buddy to come back.   Emmy especially is kissy and didn't want to sit or lay down until they were in the crates.   Arthur settled down sooner and is somewhat calmer.   We've only heard them bark a couple of times, such as when they would hear another dog bark at the vet, but even that didn't make them bark much at our house (ours were really carrying on too)!   He has a huge underbite, she has shorter stubbier legs."

OK, let me say a couple of things.  First, Arthur and Emmy are an example of what happens when someone buys a trendy dog at a pet store.  We're pretty sure that they came from a Petland and cost around $2,000 each.  Petland, indeed most pet stores, is in the business of selling dogs, not matching the right pet to the right home.  I doubt that they made sure the owner understood the special requirements of English Bulldogs, their breed requirements and their inherent health issues.  As a result, they ended up in an inappropriate home, their health was put at risk, and they are now in need of a new home.  The saddest part, to me, is that these two have always been together and now there is a risk that they will be separated.  That would be just awful!  It is our hope that they will be adopted together.  With that end in mind, we will lower their combined adoption fee to $600.  We do not adopt on a first come, first serve basis.  Instead, we strive to match the right pet to the right home.

In the meanwhile, if you have a heart for these two but are not an adopter, would you please consider sponsoring them?  A donation of any amount would be appreciated.  In our committment to restore them to health, we have racked up some serious vet bills.  As always, we appreciate all of you who have a heart for the abandoned pets of Central Florida.

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, Although the English Bulldogs appearance can be somewhat intimidating, it is among the gentlest of dogs. Just the same it will see off any intruder, and few would risk a close encounter with a dog brave enough to bait a bull. It is described as a very affectionate and dependable animal, gentle with children, but known for its courage and its excellent guarding abilities. Bullheaded and stubborn, this breed can be very persistent. They do not give up easily. Bulldogs are very much a peoples dog seeking out human attention and loving every bit it can get!! A lot of human attention is required for the breed's happiness. Some English Bulldogs can be a bit dominating and need an owner who knows how to display strong leadership and understands alpha canine behavior. A Bulldog who understands it's *place* in the human pack, is nice to, and reliable with all people. This breed is good with family pets, but some can be scrappy with strange dogs. When Bulldogs are young, they are full of energy, but slow down as they get older. They snore very loudly, and most have drool and slobber tendencies. Today's bulldog has a very different temperament from those of his ancestors. The breed is descended from the ancient Asiatic mastiff, but its development took place completely in Great Britain. The name bulldog, which is medieval in origin, refers not only to the robust look of a little bull, which this aggressive dog has, but also to the power with which this dog attacked bulls in arena combat before that practice was prohibited by law in the nineteenth century. The English Bulldog is good for apartment life. They are very inactive indoors and will do okay without a yard. This breed is an indoor dog. Bulldogs do best in temperate climates as the breed can chill easily in cold weather and have trouble cooling off in very hot weather. They have an average life span of 8 years. Some live longer while others live shorter lives.