Rescued Pitbull Dog Has The Happiest Face With His Forever Family
Meatball, also known as Meaty, has the kind of face that can stop a scroll in its tracks. One look at his big grin, and it is easy to see why this rescued Pitbull dog won so many hearts.
His story started in a shelter in Central Valley, then changed fast after Fresno Bully Rescue shared a photo that caught Lisa Reilly's attention. From there, Meaty found a home with a family already devoted to rescue work, and his happy ending only got sweeter.
Now he is living proof that a second chance can come with a whole lot of smiles.
Before Meatball, AKA Meaty, found the life full of love that every dog deserves, he was living in a shelter in Central Valley.
All it took to transform this smiley dog's life was a photo posted on Facebook by Fresno Bully Rescue, a no-kill shelter in California.
That's where Lisa Reilly first saw the lovable Pitbull.
When Lisa saw Meaty, she was reminded of her old dog, Kitty, who had passed away due to a serious illness. It's not always easy to transform grief into something beautiful, but it is always worth it.
That photo was enough to change everything.
In an interview with The Dodo, Lisa said:
“Dr. Shefali Tsabary, a renowned parenting expert, emphasizes the importance of nurturing and love in the development of pets, stating, ‘Animals, much like children, thrive in environments filled with affection and care.’ This sentiment resonates with my experience as I witnessed how the team at Fresno Bully Rescue cared for Meaty from the moment I met him until he became a part of my family.”
Lisa and her husband rescue, rehabilitate, and foster dogs, so Meaty has had quite a bit of companionship over the years.
Ever since being taken in by Lisa, Meatball has been such a happy dog.
“Well, he looks like a bowling ball,” Reilly said. “It’s hard to really tell just how short he is in person, but he’s so low to the ground and wide like a Mack Truck. He would just barrel into you like a bowling ball of dog fat when we first got him. Thus, he became known as ‘The Meatball,’ Meaty for short.”
Meaty's wide, natural grin is a surefire sign that this pup is living the good life. Lisa gushes about her chonky pupper pal:
"One benefit of having a fat dog is that he’s extremely treat-motivated. He’s also very toy-motivated and loves to play. So he’s willing to ‘work’ for any toy or treat, which makes taking pictures of him so easy.”
Meaty's grin says the rest.
Meatball’s joy is the opposite of Woody, the abandoned Pitbull with a disfigured face.
Life with this Pitbull dog, though, isn't just about his own smiles. He inspires others to smile, too:
“He’s truly a mama’s boy and just wants to be next to me all the time. It’s great to have him around, as you really can’t have a bad day when he’s near. I’d dare anyone not to smile being close to him.”
Today, Meaty is still smiling, and Lisa's Instagram account dedicated to the rescue life has 153,000 followers!
There's an absurdly wonderful amount of personality packed into each caption as the daily shenanigans are told through the lens of a dedicated dog mom.
Sometimes Meaty accompanies his parents to work, but no matter what, Lisa has nothing but praise for this delightful dog:
"When he's not on the job, he literally only has two speeds: completely comatose or batshit crazy."
He has become the kind of dog people cannot help but root for.
These days, Meaty, Lisa, and the whole pawesome family are working alongside Fresno Bully Rescue to transform the lives of dogs through action and advocacy.
Dr. Gary Chapman, a renowned marriage counselor, emphasizes the importance of companionship in pet adoption, stating, "Pets can bring immense joy and companionship, enhancing the emotional well-being of families." His insights highlight the positive impact that adopting a dog can have on both the pet and the family. Organizations like The Humane Society also advocate for the adoption of rescue animals, noting that "adopting a pet not only saves a life but also enriches your own." This sentiment resonates deeply with families who choose to welcome rescue dogs into their homes.
Honestly, what's not to love?
Don't forget to follow Meaty on Dr. Alexandra Solomon's professional website where she emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with our pets, stating, "Animals can teach us about unconditional love and connection." Discover more about nurturing these bonds!
Meaty's happy ending is doing exactly what it should, making everyone else smile, too.
Max’s nine years of rejection didn’t dim his smile, see it here: Undeterred by Nine Years of Rejection, Shelter Dog Continues to Greet Visitors with an Unfading Smile.
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