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Mr. Bones is a foster dog who was rescued from a life of being condemned on a chain in South Carolina in January, 2010. The volunteer who rescued him had seen him for quite some time and while she brought him treats and food, when his condition seemed to deteriorate, she took action. Finally, after some convincing and a $50 bill, she got the owner to release Bones to her. She said she had always just looked at him at a distance and had no idea how nice he was until she took him that day. She said he kissed everyone, and jumped and played as to say “Thank you! Thank you! I’ve been SO lonely!”.

With that, the rescue chain got working and word of Bones made it’s way to Veronica Henson with Helping the Helpless Pets in Coatesville, PA. That’s when I get in the picture. Veronica contacted me because I had let her know I was ready for another foster and my wonderful husband and I have lots of bully breed experience. Bones is thought to be an American Bulldog/ Pitbull mix. When I got the pictures of him, there was NO WAY I could possibly say ‘No’ (not that I normally can anyway…). Within a few weeks, Bones got neutered and had a cherry eye repaired in South Carolina- and he was on a transport to PA to come live with us.

I remember the day I got Bones. I went to a gas station to meet the transport, and out came this skinny, dirty, poor-looking excuse for a pitbull. He slowly jumped out of the van and looked around blankly. He gazed at the cars and his body was limp. I practically ran to him and said, “Mr Bones! Hey big boy!” and he looked at me like, “And you would be?”. When I got to him, he leaned into my legs and accepted my petting. Slowly, his tail started wagging followed by his whole butt wiggling back and forth. All at once, as though a shot of life was put into him, he turned around, jumped up, and started licking me in the face. The driver said, “Well Bones, looks like you’ll be fine, take care!” and with that- he was mine.

On the car ride home, he kept trying to get over the seat to sit in my lap. Finally, I had to use my arm as a block between my front seats, so he just laid his head on my shoulder. From the first day, he was the most affectionate dog I have ever seen. No matter what, he wants to be with me, touching me. I’m sure it’s because life on the end of a chain is bleak and isolated. He never had anyone who made him feel as though they were his. Every dog needs a person, and not so the person can rule them- but so the dog can feel as though they have a purpose. I am now Bones’ purpose, and you can tell how happy that makes him every time he looks at me.

Mr. Bones, the night we got him <3

Now, how did he become “Mr. Bones”? Well… my Mother has a sick obsession with the movie “White Christmas”. A sick obsession. She starts watching it every single day- multiple times each day- around the end of October and it continues until a few weeks after Christmas. So of course, I had also seen the movie hundreds of times. The one part in that movie that sticks out, is a funny little song that one of the lead singer performs with one of the guys. It goes:

Girl: Mr. Bones? Mr. Bones? How do you feel, Mr. Bones?

Guy: Rattlin’!

Girl: Mr. Bones feels rattlin’. Ha ha. That’s a good one. Tell a story, Mr. Bones!

Guy: How do you stop an angry dog from biting you on Monday?

Girl: That joke is old. The answer is to kill the dog on Sunday!

Guy: That’s not how you stop a dog from biting you on Monday!

Girl: How do you bring a thing about?

Guy: Have the doggy’s teeth pulled out!

Girl: Oh, Mr. Bones, that’s terrible!

Other guy: Yes, Mr. Bones, that’s terrible!

It’s just a silly little song that I thought of when I first heard the name Bones, and I also thought Mr. Bones sounded much more gentlemanly. Now that I have introduced you to Mr. Bones, my next post will explain what he is going through and why he needs your help. Thank you for taking the time to learn about Mr. Bones!

<3 Juliet, his foster Mom.

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