METHUEN - Jesse has a home.
The four-year-old female pit bull had been in the care of the Nevins Farm animal shelter staff for almost five months waiting for a family to adopt her. Jesse had become a favorite among shelter volunteers for her sweet disposition. But volunteers feared she wasn't finding a home because of misconceptions about pit bulls. Staff described pit bulls as "high-energy dogs that can be good for families."
A few days after The Eagle-Tribune published a story about Jesse, the Nevins shelter was inundated with people interested in adopting the dog and those who called just to offer their well wishes for Jesse. A few people stopped by the shelter to give the dog treats, Michael Keiley, manager of the shelter, said.
Also there that next day was Kate Heiser of Methuen. Heiser and her boyfriend, Jason McKay, had recently put down their 14-year-old cocker spaniel and really missed having a dog around the house.
Heiser read about Jesse and was eager to meet the playful dog. Heiser has had two pit bulls before and always enjoyed the breed.
"She's very gentle and very special," Heiser said. "We can't fathom why no one took her for five months."
The four-year-old female pit bull had been in the care of the Nevins Farm animal shelter staff for almost five months waiting for a family to adopt her. Jesse had become a favorite among shelter volunteers for her sweet disposition. But volunteers feared she wasn't finding a home because of misconceptions about pit bulls. Staff described pit bulls as "high-energy dogs that can be good for families."
A few days after The Eagle-Tribune published a story about Jesse, the Nevins shelter was inundated with people interested in adopting the dog and those who called just to offer their well wishes for Jesse. A few people stopped by the shelter to give the dog treats, Michael Keiley, manager of the shelter, said.
Also there that next day was Kate Heiser of Methuen. Heiser and her boyfriend, Jason McKay, had recently put down their 14-year-old cocker spaniel and really missed having a dog around the house.
Heiser read about Jesse and was eager to meet the playful dog. Heiser has had two pit bulls before and always enjoyed the breed.
"She's very gentle and very special," Heiser said. "We can't fathom why no one took her for five months."
Heiser walked Jesse around the Nevins farm and fell in love. Later that night, McKay came back to the shelter, where the couple was interviewed, then they took Jesse home.
"They were great," Keiley said. "They were fine with the breed. (Jesse) is going to be spoiled. We're so grateful she could be with a family and be loved."
Keiley said the center looks to match people with the right type of dog based on factors such as their lifestyle and type of home. Keiley said Heiser and McKay were a good fit because of their experience as dog owners and ability to give Jesse individual attention and training.
It's been two weeks since the couple took Jesse home, and the adjustment is going well, Heiser said. Jesse sleeps on a dog bed right next to the couple's bed and enjoys daily five-mile walks with Heiser.
"Someone took very good care of her," Heiser said, adding that Jesse gave her "paw" for a treat without Heiser asking for it. "She listens very well. She fits well into our lifestyle."
The first night at her new home, Jesse had trouble sleeping. But by the third night, she slept fine, Heiser said. The couple also set up gates to keep Jesse out of the living room when they are not at home, because they weren't sure if she would damage their furniture.
"She jumped right over the gate," Heiser said, adding that their living room was fine when they got home. "Then, we put up a second gate and she plowed right through it. It's not a big deal, though; we just make sure there is a blanket or comforter (on the couch)."
Jesse came along to visit Heiser's family for Christmas, and she was excited and friendly, Heiser said. The dog also got a stocking full of toys and treats. A volunteer from the Nevins shelter who helped care for Jesse sent Heiser a picture of Jesse dressed up with reindeer ears. The picture is now framed.
Heiser said she was around pit bulls for a long time and later had two of her own. She said pit bulls get a bad reputation.
"They are very smart, capable dogs," Heiser said. "It is sad at times they fall into the wrong hands and are manipulated. They are really just beautiful dogs."
The staff at the Nevins shelter has followed up with Heiser and McKay and are excited for Jesse's placement with them.
"That facility is beautifully managed and beautifully run. We're so lucky to have a facility like that here," Heiser said of the shelter. "(Jesse) was well taken care of."
While Heiser and McKay became the proud owners of Jesse, two other pit bulls were recently adopted.
One family who came to the shelter to see Jesse left with Tyra, a 1-year-old pit bull who had been at the shelter for about two weeks. A pit bull named Schlitz was adopted this past weekend, Keiley said.
