Pittielove Rescue: A Mission Of Love, Rescue And Acceptance

FRAMINGHAM, MA—Noreen Ford never grasped the true implication of the term "underdog" until she met Poncho, a pitbull who she says steadily tugged at her heart until he ultimately stole it.

Ford, who grew up in Sudbury, has been a Framingham resident for 23 years and is the founder of PittieLove Rescue, based in Framingham. It launched in February of 2006.

It was all about Poncho, who belonged to a family who lived in Southborough next to where Ford was working at the time. This family kept Poncho confined to a filthy yard on a short, unbearably-heavy chain that was tied to a tree.

"Although I already had two large male dogs at the time," said Ford, "my conscience would not allow me to rest when I saw this sweet, lonesome nine-month-old pup, curled into a ball in an attempt to find warmth in the frigid weather. Pig hunting was the owner’s sole purpose for Poncho, who was not allowed in the house because of his breed. I was somehow able to convince him to surrender Poncho to me, never realizing the subsequent monumental challenge that I was about to face."

Her passion for pit bulls emerged when she contacted numerous canine rescue organizations and shelters, only to be told they'd be "happy to take Poncho if he weren't a pit bull."

"I experienced a spectrum of emotions from sorrow to rage," said Ford, "while my love for Poncho (and for pit bulls in general), was growing steadily with each rejection." Dismayed with the prejudice against the breed, I ultimately decided to keep Poncho. He and I, along with my other two dogs, embarked on our new life together and participated in canine training to help avoid any behavioral issues among them."

Ford then adopted a fourth dog named Rosie, also a pit bull, who became a certified therapy dog. She became the rescue's mascot and attended the events and helped change the minds about pit bull type dogs. At that time, she volunteered for Baypath Humane Society and Pit Bull Rescue Central, solidifying PittieLove Rescue as a nonprofit in 2016.

"I am very grateful to all of the volunteers who have since joined PittieLove and tirelessly contributed to rescuing so many pit bulls who might otherwise have endured a very sad fate," said Ford. "We have worked diligently to change the public’s perception of the breed, and together, we continue to accomplish great things."

Ford said she settled in Framingham and runs the rescue out of the city because she wanted to live close to her family and loves the Nobscot section, and the diversity of the city.

The public's perception of the breed has shifted away from the stigma it once held, though there is a long way to go. Ford reminds us that pit bulls have befriended and protected loved ones throughout the ages. Rosie, who died in 2016, according to Ford, "changed countless people's minds as she demonstrated the tolerant, patient, gentle nature of the pit bull. I’m proud of the many Pittielove alumni dogs who have followed in her 'paw' steps. Truly, there are many examples of pit bulls who have been loved, honored, and hailed as heroes in our country’s history."

Pit Bulls score an 87.4 percent pass rate with the American Temperament Test Society, exceeding the popular Border Collie breed, which weighs in with a score of 82.3 percent, as well as the Golden Retriever at 85.4 percent. The pass/fail rate is a measure of each dog’s ability to interact with humans, human situations and the environment.

An all-volunteer and foster home based rescue focusing on Massachusetts, with most of the animals coming from animal control facilities and shelters. Ford said she strives to increase the public's awareness of the breed's true temperament and positive characteristics. She has seen a steady increase in the public's acceptance of pit bulls.

Do you want to help the cause? Ford said PittieLove is most in need of foster homes.

"We cannot rescue without the wonderful people who open their hearts and homes to an urgent dog in temporary need," said Ford.

And it works, and there are plenty of success stories.

Take Maya, who was found as a young pup, left with two other puppies in a cardboard box, abandoned in a park in Worcester. A family took Maya in and she lived there until she was five. The family, which had small children, lost their home and couldn't find housing that allowed pets.

Maya end up at the MSPCA at Nevins Farm and was there for six months. With a sweet and easy going disposition, she was an easy pet, but because of medical conditions, she was harder to adopt. A young man adopted her, and he was deployed to military duty eight months later. Again, Maya was homeless, finding a foster home with PittieLove. She had a procedure at Tufts Veterinary Hospital, and it took nine months, but Maya found her perfect forever home.

"Now, she is living the good life," said Ford, "going everywhere with her new best friend, Pete, who calls Maya his 'little shadow.'"

Want to know more? Want to help? Go here.

Photos courtesy PittieLove Rescue