Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow”. My name is Rusty and that is what I told myself everyday for about 515 days as people walked passed me and picked out other dogs around me to take home as part of their family. I’m a five year old Boxer/Pit Bull mix, in my prime (who has hung up his gloves long ago, and lives by the old saying “I’m a lover not a fighter”) I would patiently sit in my kennel at the shelter hoping I would get lucky enough to have someone pick me to go home with them by the end of the day. I thought my classic rugg-ish good looks and chiseled facial features would do it. But the hipsters apparently want something else. Maybe I should grow a beard. Soon days became weeks and weeks became months. I will try again tomorrow. I started barking and jumping against kennel just to get the attention of anyone who was walking by “PLEASE JUST GIVE ME A CHANCE!!!”. I was beginning to think my life was coming to an end until one day a very kind lady took me and told me that everything was going to be OK. Man I was grateful. The beard, not a good look for me. Soon after I was on stretch of grass and the kind lady handed me off to two men and said “these are your new best friends Rusty” At that moment I was completely filled with joy because I knew this was my second chance at life. I’m am now part of the R.U.F.F. Road, a program designed to teach me my manners and train me in obedience. I have learned a lot and my best friends, Steven and Alex say they are very happy with the progress I’ve made so far. Both Steven and Alex are very patient, wonderful, and caring people who love me and treat me with so much kindness and I absolutely love them for that. They have been so humble and loving to me, and showed me the true value of a bond between a human and a dog. I love when they give me a bath because it’s one of my favorite things to do and I feel so fresh, handsome and full of energy after one. You just have to make sure you dry me off really well so I don’t get all Rusty. ☺ (OK enough Rusty jokes). I also love to run and play fetch I become energetic, attentive and eager to please whenever someone has a ball to throw for me. I’m looking for someone who has no other pets, and wants a loyal companion just like I do. Just remember once you get the rust off of me all that’s left is the “Y” so why not take me home and be my forever family.