Petey - Photo courtesy Southern Alberta Humane Society

By Chantal Wagner

adoption time

Petey the American Staffordshire Terrier looking for his perfect family

Oct 27, 2020 | 5:01 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Southern Alberta Humane Society is looking for a forever home for Petey, a six-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier.

Petey and Rubble were abandoned last September and in rough shape.

The pair were dropped off at Pet Park boarding but the owner never came back for them.

Rubble has since been adopted.

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But after a failed adoption, Petey is still waiting for his perfect family.

Tara Martice is a certified dog trainer and board member with the Southern Alberta Humane Society.

She has been working with Petey for the last nine months while he stays at his foster home.

“My understanding of that failed adoption was probably the process was a little too fast and not enough information, assessment, or observation on what Petey needed and didn’t need,” she said.

And adds that Petey will fit best in an adult-only home as he struggles with other dogs and young and rambunctious children.

“It’s very key if there are extended family members that do have young children, we do mandate that they are always supervised with direct supervision. Not from afar, but actually engaging and interacting with the children and the dog at the same time.”

Martice says Petey was exposed to trauma in the past and values quiet, consistency, and patience.

“He does still make choices and this is why I’ve been working with him to see how much of a choice he does make. Which choice he makes, and help him make the correct safer one. So we’ve been working with that and thanks to his foster he’s been loving the home life he’s been very happy, very calm and he does get exuberant just like a typical dog when people come over but it’s really important we set him up for success.”

Martice will work with Petey’s new family to make sure he thrives in his new home.

“I have yet to see him produce very dangerous behaviours. But I don’t put him into positions for him to make those choices. So I always want to make sure he always has an alternative choice and if he struggles then I’m here to help him and with his future adoptive people, they will learn to help him as well.”

If you are interested in adopting Petey or for more information, call 587-253-4203 or visit the Southern Alberta Humane Society Facebook page.

Martice hopes this will be Petey’s retirement home where he can hang out, get belly rubs, play, and enjoy life.

Petey on the move (photo courtesy Bob Schneider)