Frankie

Meet Frankie, a gentle soul with a big heart who's ready for his second chance. This 2.5-year-old, 70-pound neutered male American Staffordshire Terrier/Pit Bull mix is currently in a foster home in Austin, Texas, and can transport out of state once an approved adopter is lined up. Frankie's story began in a tough place; he and his sister Precious were found tied up in the front yard of an elderly man's home after being left behind by family members. When our foster arrived to help, it was clear both dogs had been through a lot. Since then, Frankie has been slowly learning that the world can be kind and that humans—at least the good ones—are worth trusting.

Frankie is a quiet, tender-hearted pup. At first, he may seem shy and reserved, but once he feels safe, his sweet and affectionate personality shines through. He isn't demanding of attention; instead, he quietly seeks comfort by simply being near someone he trusts. In his foster home, Frankie lives with four other large dogs. He's gradually building confidence, sometimes enjoying tug-of-war or even a satisfying cardboard-shredding session. It has taken some time, but he now engages in some play with the other dogs and has newly found toys to be fun. He is more often content to observe from the sidelines until he's ready to join in. The biggest dog in the home is his buddy! Importantly, his cautious approach is never aggressive; when unsure, Frankie chooses to retreat rather than react.

Frankie finds a lot of comfort with other dogs. New humans, he is more reserved and waiting for that trust to be built. Again, no reactivity, just a lot of nervousness. So he really needs a patient and understanding home. Frankie hasn't met cats or children, but given his gentle nature, his foster believes he would do well in a calm home with older kids who understand how to respect his boundaries. A quieter household with a predictable routine will help him feel secure as he continues to gain confidence.

Ideal Home

A securely fenced yard would also be ideal for him. Frankie is an escape artist and has been known to climb chain link or chicken wire fencing. For this reason, his forever home will need secure fencing and supervision outdoors.

Ongoing Health

Frankie has no specific ongoing health conditions to report.

Training & Support

House training has gone beautifully—no accidents or marking indoors since arriving in foster care. While he hasn't needed a crate, Frankie does just fine when left alone with free reign of a room. He settles in patiently and waits for his foster to return. On leash, he's still a bit green since he lives on acreage. He is still afraid of the leash and will pancake or freeze. Mealtimes are peaceful with Frankie. He shows no signs of food guarding, eats respectfully, and coexists well with other dogs. He's learning to wait his turn for treats and already understands simple cues like "no" and "food." Frankie travels well in the car but sometimes finds new doorways or thresholds intimidating. When that happens, he retreats to a cozy bed until he feels safe. Thankfully, these moments are happening less often as he gains more confidence.

Application Details:

• Applications start by contacting us through Wags.
• Please note, once completing the initial screen you will be connected with the placement for a video chat.
• Transports run every few weeks and we will have the dog on the next available transport once approved.
• If you are not able to accept a dog until a specific time period, please apply at that time.
• We are a volunteer-run rescue and donate our time to these dogs. If you are not serious about moving forward in our adoption process, please do not apply.
• If someone other than yourself is part of the decision-making process, please make sure you have spoken with them and they are on board. We really do not want to waste anyone's time if you are not serious about adopting this dog.

Transportation

Frankie is currently located in Austin, Texas. He can transport out of state once an approved adopter is lined up. Transports run every few weeks.