"East" belonged to my sister's neighbor. He was a good dog at heart who could've been a great dog with some consistent care, affection, neutering and a little obedience training.
I'm not sure of his background, whether he was purebred or if mixed, which breed was dominant. But he loved people and he got along with most other animals. Impulsively named after the economically depressed inner-city neighborhood in which he lived while still a puppy, he was kept tied in a small concrete backyard where he didn't get much exercise or personalized attention.
His living situation had somewhat deteriorated after his primary caretaker passed away, leaving East to his late owner's fiancée and her extended family, the latter of whom were part-time residents and not committed to pet ownership. His new owner also worked full-time and seldom had time or energy available to take East on walks or see to his socialization needs.
Resultingly, a large dog left alone for too long periods, especially in an inadequately-sized enclosure is often a bored, restless dog. While he never attacked or bit anyone, he had a habit (perhaps exacerbated by the natural reproductive urge) of escaping his confines whenever possible. During one of these unauthorized outings in the alleyway, he encountered a pit bull which had been deliberately trained to be actively aggressive. Incredibly, at the encouragement of the pit's irresponsible 'owner', the dog attacked East and bit off part of his ear (this was some time after the picture was taken). Although East's personality/temperament towards people wasn't negatively affected by the incident, it took a long time to heal and he was never quite the same afterwards.
One day he disappeared and did not return. Despite searches and inquiries he has never been found. Due to his size, appearance and reputation (however unjustified) for being a "tough and mean" dog, combined with the gang activity present in the local neighborhood, it is quite possible that he was stolen to be used in illegal dogfighting activity. East was a very loveable dog who is greatly missed by all those who knew and cared about him.
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Kind thanks and appreciation to Sherri for sponsoring East's memorial.
I'm not sure of his background, whether he was purebred or if mixed, which breed was dominant. But he loved people and he got along with most other animals. Impulsively named after the economically depressed inner-city neighborhood in which he lived while still a puppy, he was kept tied in a small concrete backyard where he didn't get much exercise or personalized attention.
His living situation had somewhat deteriorated after his primary caretaker passed away, leaving East to his late owner's fiancée and her extended family, the latter of whom were part-time residents and not committed to pet ownership. His new owner also worked full-time and seldom had time or energy available to take East on walks or see to his socialization needs.
Resultingly, a large dog left alone for too long periods, especially in an inadequately-sized enclosure is often a bored, restless dog. While he never attacked or bit anyone, he had a habit (perhaps exacerbated by the natural reproductive urge) of escaping his confines whenever possible. During one of these unauthorized outings in the alleyway, he encountered a pit bull which had been deliberately trained to be actively aggressive. Incredibly, at the encouragement of the pit's irresponsible 'owner', the dog attacked East and bit off part of his ear (this was some time after the picture was taken). Although East's personality/temperament towards people wasn't negatively affected by the incident, it took a long time to heal and he was never quite the same afterwards.
One day he disappeared and did not return. Despite searches and inquiries he has never been found. Due to his size, appearance and reputation (however unjustified) for being a "tough and mean" dog, combined with the gang activity present in the local neighborhood, it is quite possible that he was stolen to be used in illegal dogfighting activity. East was a very loveable dog who is greatly missed by all those who knew and cared about him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kind thanks and appreciation to Sherri for sponsoring East's memorial.
"East" belonged to my sister's neighbor. He was a good dog at heart who could've been a great dog with some consistent care, affection, neutering and a little obedience training.
I'm not sure of his background, whether he was purebred or if mixed, which breed was dominant. But he loved people and he got along with most other animals. Impulsively named after the economically depressed inner-city neighborhood in which he lived while still a puppy, he was kept tied in a small concrete backyard where he didn't get much exercise or personalized attention.
His living situation had somewhat deteriorated after his primary caretaker passed away, leaving East to his late owner's fiancée and her extended family, the latter of whom were part-time residents and not committed to pet ownership. His new owner also worked full-time and seldom had time or energy available to take East on walks or see to his socialization needs.
Resultingly, a large dog left alone for too long periods, especially in an inadequately-sized enclosure is often a bored, restless dog. While he never attacked or bit anyone, he had a habit (perhaps exacerbated by the natural reproductive urge) of escaping his confines whenever possible. During one of these unauthorized outings in the alleyway, he encountered a pit bull which had been deliberately trained to be actively aggressive. Incredibly, at the encouragement of the pit's irresponsible 'owner', the dog attacked East and bit off part of his ear (this was some time after the picture was taken). Although East's personality/temperament towards people wasn't negatively affected by the incident, it took a long time to heal and he was never quite the same afterwards.
One day he disappeared and did not return. Despite searches and inquiries he has never been found. Due to his size, appearance and reputation (however unjustified) for being a "tough and mean" dog, combined with the gang activity present in the local neighborhood, it is quite possible that he was stolen to be used in illegal dogfighting activity. East was a very loveable dog who is greatly missed by all those who knew and cared about him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kind thanks and appreciation to Sherri for sponsoring East's memorial.
I'm not sure of his background, whether he was purebred or if mixed, which breed was dominant. But he loved people and he got along with most other animals. Impulsively named after the economically depressed inner-city neighborhood in which he lived while still a puppy, he was kept tied in a small concrete backyard where he didn't get much exercise or personalized attention.
His living situation had somewhat deteriorated after his primary caretaker passed away, leaving East to his late owner's fiancée and her extended family, the latter of whom were part-time residents and not committed to pet ownership. His new owner also worked full-time and seldom had time or energy available to take East on walks or see to his socialization needs.
Resultingly, a large dog left alone for too long periods, especially in an inadequately-sized enclosure is often a bored, restless dog. While he never attacked or bit anyone, he had a habit (perhaps exacerbated by the natural reproductive urge) of escaping his confines whenever possible. During one of these unauthorized outings in the alleyway, he encountered a pit bull which had been deliberately trained to be actively aggressive. Incredibly, at the encouragement of the pit's irresponsible 'owner', the dog attacked East and bit off part of his ear (this was some time after the picture was taken). Although East's personality/temperament towards people wasn't negatively affected by the incident, it took a long time to heal and he was never quite the same afterwards.
One day he disappeared and did not return. Despite searches and inquiries he has never been found. Due to his size, appearance and reputation (however unjustified) for being a "tough and mean" dog, combined with the gang activity present in the local neighborhood, it is quite possible that he was stolen to be used in illegal dogfighting activity. East was a very loveable dog who is greatly missed by all those who knew and cared about him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kind thanks and appreciation to Sherri for sponsoring East's memorial.
