A loyal pit bull who stood guard over her injured owner is up for adoption after the family who took her in found they were unable to care for her.
The dog, Precious, guarded her unconscious owner after fire broke out at their Landover Hills, Maryland, home earlier this month. Precious stood guard over her even after fire crews arrived at the home — but she ended up at an animal shelter with her puppy, Molly, because of Prince George's County's ban on their breed.
The next day, Precious and Molly found a new home with their owner's sister, Megan Sanchez, who lives in Montgomery County.
"She just wanted to protect her mommy; that's all," Sanchez said about Precious. "And her house."
But Sanchez and her family soon found they were unable to care for Precious or her puppy. They were able to rehome Molly, but Precious was left without a family. That's when a friend contacted Jessica Stuby and her organization, Babes 4 Bullies, for help.
Stuby said Precious has been amazing companion since she began fostering her.
U.S. & World
"She's doing great. She's actually at work with me. She's been a wonderful companion," Stuby said.
Precious suffered from smoke inhalation as a result of the fire and also had fleas. Stuby said she wants to give Precious time to recuperate and will focus on finding her a home in the new year.
On Dec. 2, Precious made headlines for her act of devotion. In fact, firefighters said they had trouble getting to her owner — who was hurt in the fire and lying unconscious on the front lawn — because the loyal dog was standing over her.
Firefighters tried to call Precious away, but she wouldn't budge and acted aggressively when they approached. They eventually deployed a powder fire extinguisher in her direction, causing Precious to run away and giving them time to get the woman onto a stretcher.
Stuby hopes Precious' story will help change the law that kept her from returning to her owner.
"I think the main important goal isn't to rehome, but that her story can change people's mind about the breed," Stuby said. "She's not just an amazing dog — this breed is an amazing breed."
