Hey, guys! My name is Monty, and I’m checking in to see if my family-to-be is out there looking for me. I’ve been waiting patiently for them, and my Christmas wish is to find my new home and settle in with a family who loves me and wants my company.

I’m a sweet, curious, and playful pit-lab mix, a little over a year old now, and I weigh about 60 pounds. Obviously I’m a handsome guy, but my thin physique is still playing catch up with my big, blocky head. I have a luxurious black coat and a big, warm bully smile that lights up for every new friend I meet. 

I haven’t had a lot of consistency in my life so far, but I’m the kind of pup who rolls with the punches. I’ve already seen some of the best and the worst that people have to offer a dog like me, and I’m still doing OK, so that helps me to keep a positive attitude about the world.

I was rescued by a local Fairfax County teen and Good Samaritan, Lauren Bradford, who saw me running free in an abandoned parking lot near a major highway and stepped up to save me. I wasn’t even a year old then and was pretty confused about what happened to the owner who was supposed to protect me. Thankfully, Lauren was kind enough to take me in to safety, and she canvassed the local neighborhoods and posted flyers in hopes of finding my family. 

A few days later, my owner saw the flyer and made an anonymous call to Lauren’s house and said they should just dump me at the shelter. Can you believe someone could just abandon a dog who loved them so faithfully?

Luckily, the Bradfords didn’t listen and stayed committed to finding me a new family. They soon came to realize that finding a home for young, black bully pup like me is no easy task. In shelters and rescues, black dogs are typically the last to be adopted, and when you factor in the prejudice surrounding pit bull-type pups, it’s that much harder. It makes me pretty sad. I was born this way, and people should judge me by my sweet nature and how good of a dog I can be, not by my color or my breed.

Luckily, the Bradfords saw Mutts Matter’s Patch article on pit bulls, and reached out to them for help. I know Mutts Matter gets calls like this every day, and they can’t help every dog, but they saw something special in me and took me in.

When they came to pick me up to go to my new foster home, I greeted them with the same enthusiasm and tail wags I have for everybody. As we drove away, I knew I’d miss the Bradfords, and especially Lauren, and I will always be grateful to them for saving me from the streets and opening their hearts to me.

I’ve been in foster care a little over two months now, and I've been keeping myself entertained. I’m living with a very caring foster mom, Michelle, who has three other dogs and two awesome daughters. The littlest one is four, and she likes to snuggle up next to me on the couch and use me as a pillow to watch TV.

I’m great with kids, but I can be a little annoying to my two little Pomeranian foster pup siblings, who don’t always appreciate me. I just want to play with them, but I guess they’re older and they think I’m some kind of giant, so they don’t seem that interested.

I would do best in a home with pups who are closer to my own size who like to wrestle and play, or I’d be great as an only dog too. That would just mean more attention, love and belly rubs for me! 

Like any young pup, I’m still a work in progress and learning the rules of home life. I’ve been known to counter-surf, and sometimes I find treasures buried in my foster mom’s purse, when she’s not looking.

I really like to chew things, too, so you’ll need to keep an eye on me while I progress through adolescence to adulthood.  It will help to provide some durable chew toys. I like bones and stuff, but I really love Kongs, especially filled with treats and peanut butter.

I still have some puppy energy and curiosity, and will need regular exercise, stimulation and playtime to stay healthy and balanced. I’m already crate-trained and know how to sit at attention like a soldier for a treat. You’ll find that I will do just about anything for food, and I take pride in how gently I take it from your hands. I’ve got enough of an image problem as it is – I’m not about to bite the hands that feed me delicious morsels!

My favorite thing in the whole world is to be around my people and have their attention. I’ve been waiting pretty patiently for someone to come make me their special pup, and would love to spend this Christmas with my new family. I might misbehave sometimes, but I know for sure that I’m on Santa’s “Nice” list.

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To learn more about Monty, go to the Mutts Matter Adoption Page and fill out an application, or you can contact Suzanne at suzanne@muttsmatterrescue.com.

Follow Mutts Matter on Facebook to learn more about us and see new pups coming into the rescue!