From Death Row to the Red Carpet

Dottie the Staffordshire Bull Terrier's life has been a rags to riches story with a glamorous Hollywood twist.

It begins in a shelter for Boston Terriers in California. Staffordshire Terriers, or “Staffies”, are frequently mistaken for Boston Terriers because of their size and monochromatic markings.

Dottie was dropped off at the Lancaster Pound and was brought to the attention of the Boston Terrier Rescue Group for adoption. But, upon learning that pit bull breeds could not be accepted by the group, the pound opted instead to schedule her for destruction. A shelter worker called a close friend and lover of pit bulls to report the find, and soon afterward, 6-month-old Dottie was safe and sound.

Although originally bred to be loving and devoted farm and family dogs, Staffies’ assimilation into the dangerous world of dog fighting eventually bred in them a natural aggressiveness towards other dogs. In order to rid Dottie of her instinctual aggression, Cesar invited her to visit his pack at the Dog Psychology Center. Her problems there were short-lived. One low growl at Daddy was all it took to show her who was really in charge. Since then, she has calmed considerably around other dogs, enjoys socializing at dog parks, and, in a final, Cinderalla-style denouement, has even presented at the 56th Annual Creative Arts Emmy Awards! Trotting up to the microphone behind Cesar, her head held high, Dottie appeared perfectly at home with Daddy and the other pit bulls in his entourage. And, turning to watch herself on the monitors behind the stage, Dottie appeared to give a world that would have seen her euthanized a very unladylike salute: a nationally televised view of her rear end.

Once a frequent guest of the Dog Psychology Center and still an honorary member of Cesar’s pack, Dottie now finds herself integrating easily into her owner’s pack at home. Lucy, the eldest pit bull, was originally a stray who lost her pup and has taken to mothering Dottie and treating her as her own. Pepito, Daddy’s own 3-year-old, has become a surrogate brother.

Still as highly energetic as her breed, her owner is sure to give her walks special attention. Despite the extra drills and an exercise backpack intended to maximize the workout, however, Dottie still has energy to burn at the end of the night, and so her owner often rollerblades with her in the evenings until she is ready to relax.

Most nights, Dottie can be found snuggled between Lucy and Pepito, curled up close with her new family and sleeping soundly.