In many pet adoptions, it is not clear who is saving who. Yes, the pet is rescued from an uncertain future, but in countless cases, they are destined to rescue their new owners, as well. Isabella Boone, who adopted Baloo in 2017, will readily agree this is true.
Isabella met Baloo while volunteering at an animal shelter during her freshman year of college. The American Staffordshire Terrier and Red Heeler mix had such an impact on Isabella's emotional and mental health that she knew she had to adopt him. "Since I adopted him, we have been inseparable, and my life will never be the same," said Isabella. "He came into my life when I was at my lowest and reminded me what it was like to be happy again."
Once Isabella got Baloo home, her real work began. She realized that people weren't as friendly with her new dog because many consider him a "bully breed." According to Isabella, she has daily interactions with people who are afraid of Baloo or think he is aggressive based solely on the way he looks. "Baloo and I have worked hard to combat these stereotypes. As a result, he is Canine Good Citizen certified, is a task-trained Service Dog, has various AKC trick titles, and is working hard at competing in both dock diving and lure course racing."
Isabella also created a social media account to share her adoption story and Baloo's daily adventures. Since then, it has turned into a platform where she combats the stereotype about bully breeds by creating a new narrative. Because of her hard work, Baloo has one of the largest accounts for bully breeds and rescue dogs on Instagram. "Gaining a following wasn't my main goal, but it did help me accomplish some of my other ones. I wanted bully breeds to be included in more pet-related campaigns, I wanted to challenge breed-specific legislation, and more than anything, I wanted people to see these dogs as pets, not monsters. Baloo has become one of the most popular faces in bully breed advocacy, and my goals to challenge the stereotypes of his breed have grown even bigger." @bully.baloo
"I try to show my followers that a bully breed can be just as well-trained as a German shepherd, as friendly as a golden retriever, and as cute as a doodle. By posting videos of Baloo doing tricks and pictures of him in pajamas, I am combating the narrative that bully breeds are dangerous dogs," Isabella Boone.