This is the true story of a dog who I literally saved from the shelter. He was scheduled for execution due to being vicious, even though it was just fear aggression. Animal shelters could learn a lot from this little guy, and the lesson his story could teach, would save many, many furry lives across the United States.

I foster animals who are old, disabled, or in need of medical care. Many of the animals are old and are with me for comfort reasons because they are dying, or are going to be euthanized to protect them from the pain their disease or disability is going to cause them in the future. Unfortunately, this has been my call on a few situations. I judge when the medication is not working for them any longer, or when the disease has progressed to the point where their quality of life is too far diminished. Other dogs I get are post-surgical and are in need of having their stitches cleaned, medication being given to them, and maintaining a certain diet after surgery. However, this is the true story of a different type of dog. This story is of a dog that was incorrectly labeled, as many dogs in shelters are every day. Luckily, I was able to change his fate. However, many dogs in his situation are not saved, and are lead to their doom.

This dog was brought in as owner surrender. Animal control tried to work with this cute little guy but in the end, deemed him vicious. They had to use welder's gloves to get him into a dog carrier and were still scared of him. Mind you, this is an 8 month old Patterdale Terrier, and they were more afraid of this dog than they were a pit-bull that had attacked 3 people, killed another dog, and attacked a second dog on animal shelter property. They said this little guy was the most vicious animal they had ever come into contact with and he was the size of a purse. in return, they named him "Land Shark." I asked what was going to happen to him and they stated that he would be euthanized as soon as someone arrived to tranquilize him with a dart gun.

They took precautionary measures to keep him from "attacking." These measures included putting him in a kennel cage that had a trapdoor leading to another cage. In order to clean his cage, they had to bring out the pit-bull that was known for biting people and cage him outside. They then cleaned the pit-bull's cage and placed fresh food and water in it. They would open the trap door and allow the evil, ferocious little dog to run through and they closed the trap door. After they were done cleaning the cage, they allowed the pint size devil back into his cage with more food and water and brought the pit-bull back into his cage.

I asked why he was still wearing the leash that he had been brought in on and was given the response that if someone grabbed it, he would bite their hand off. I was shocked, this dog was about the size of a pack of hamburger meat and they were being this cautious and afraid.

I took a look at him and saw that he was shaking so bad that the bed he was on was shaking and the leash that was still attached to his collar was actually clinking. I went home and talked to my fiancé and my parents about the situation. We all agreed that this guy was worth a chance.

My fiancé and I went down to pick him up with a metal cage. This dog had prevented animal control from entering his cage for four days. He was so ferocious that you had to wear welders gloves to grab his leash that he refused to let anyone take off of him.

I signed the waiver stating that I was aware that he was a vicious animal and that they were not responsible for his actions and that I would not sue them if anything happened. Animal control loaded him into the cage where he bit, spit, and acted as a wild as a raccoon would if you picked him up out of your garbage can. We loaded him in the car where he snarled at anyone who tried to touch the cage.

My neighbor came over a soon as we pulled up to check out the commotion. He was scared of this little guy too and wished us luck.

We took the cage with him in it into the house and warned that no one should touch the cage. We let him watch us go about our normal lives for about an hour. Then he wanted out of the cage. He was whining and putting his nose through the bars of the cage and raising quite a ruckus. The cage was put in the computer room so that we could contain him, just in case. When we let him out, he was still scared and would lie next to your leg and not let you touch him. However, after about 20 minutes he decided that he wanted to be loved and petted and taken for a walk. That was the end of us thinking that he was a ferocious beast. He came around pretty quick. I figured it might take at least a week of being caged and fed before we would be able to think about petting him.

We then walked him over to my neighbor's house, the same one who was afraid of him. He was amazed by the turn around and the change in the dog. He was loving and wanted to be held and petted. He wanted to get in everyone's lap and be petted.

In all actuality we picked him up from the shelter at 2:30 PM and he was playing with my kids by 5:30 PM on the same day. Now the most vicious side of him is that he steals the kid's logos and runs off with their baby dolls when they turn their backs. He occasionally tackles one of them and you hear them screaming because the dog won't quit licking their face, or he wants the Lego's. Other times you hear them saying that they don't want to take him for a walk and arguing with him that going out in the back yard will do the same thing as walking him around the block on the leash.

It has been a year since Aztec left the shelter. To this day, we have not had a single problem out of him, other than the fact that he despises opossums and skunks. He is very well socialized and can go anywhere that we go. He loves the dog park, loves playing with other dogs and cats, and fears baby animals. He has passed all of his tests through trainers and is no longer deemed a vicious dog. Though he still holds a grudge against the people from animal control. I still foster for the shelter, but to this day, he refuses to allow my friends from animal control near him. Which proves that being at the shelter was a really horrible point in his life.

I don't recommend rescuing every animal from the shelter that is said to be vicious, but I do recommend that the animal shelters spend more time with the animals and give them a chance before they determine that they are vicious.

By Lisa Mason, Contributing Writer

 Some people have a hard time believing that depression happens with humans; much less that it can affect our canine companions. According to animal experts, like Bonnie Deaver, DVM, who is an executive director at the American College of Veterinarian Behaviorists, it certainly does happen.

The important thing is to make sure you don’t confuse your dog’s action with him just having a bad day, or picking up on your own down mood. If you are just having a down day and are suffering from the blahs, the dog can and sometimes mimic your mood. True depression in a dog will be triggered by something that has happened in their life.

Dogs can show signs of depression when you move to a new house. Everything is strange to them and they aren’t sure if it is home, or if they are just visiting. You can combat moving depression by making sure you bring the dogs favorite toys and feeding dishes as soon as you bring the dog to the new home.

Before you get busy unpacking and arranging things, spend a little time with the dog. Put his or her dishes down where they will be fed from now on and fill them with fresh water and the dog’s favorite food. Don’t worry if she doesn’t dig right in, she may be nervous in a new place. The dog will know that their food is available.

Spend a little time playing and having fun with your dog. Let him know that this is a happy place. If the dog begins to show signs of depression, such as hiding, refusing to eat or play, you will have to be patient and continue to coax him gently. Take her for car rides or walks and then return to the house so that he gets the idea of this being home.

Dogs may also get depressed if someone that has lived in the house moves away. This is especially true if this person interacted with the dog a lot. If you have had house guests for an extended period of time, the dog will get accustomed to them and actually miss them when they leave. This is especially true if there were small children that played with the dog daily. Be patient and offer extra playtime or extra-long walks so that the dog doesn’t feel so lonely.

Watch the dog carefully, as he may be suffering from true doggie depression, or he may just be picking up on how you are feeling if you are miss someone that has recently left home. Also, make sure the dog isn’t refusing to eat or play due to other medical reasons. If he appears to be in pain, or is having diarrhea, vomiting or sneezing, he may physically hurt or be ill and should see a vet. If the signs of depression get worse or last a long time, especially if she is refusing to eat, you should also contact the vet for an evaluation.

If you had a multiple dog household and one of them dies, or leaves the house, your dog will grieve just like you would grieve at the loss of a family member. You’ll need to be patient and show lots of love and compassion. If you are not sure if your dog is suffering from depression, the blahs or an underlying illness, your vet can help you figure it out. They may suggest things you can do to help your dog, or in worse cases, the vet may prescribe medication, if he determines it is true depression. The medication for doggie depression is actually the same thing humans take for depression, only in much smaller doses.

Lisa Mason is a dog owner and writer for Doggie Clothesline, an online dog clothing boutique that features  dog accessories  and custom dog gifts, as well.