Frankie

Meet Frankie, a gentle soul with a big heart who is 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 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 were found tied up in the front yard of an elderly man's home after being left behind by family members. Since then, Frankie has been slowly learning that the world can be kind and that humans 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 and has gradually built confidence, sometimes enjoying tug-of-war or a satisfying cardboard-shredding session. He has newly found toys to be fun and is 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 are more reserved for him, and trust needs 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.

House training has gone beautifully, with 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, settling in patiently and waiting 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. A securely fenced yard would also be ideal for him. 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."

One of Frankie's quirks is that he's a bit of an escape artist; he's been known to climb chain link or chicken wire fencing. For this reason, his forever home will need secure fencing and supervision outdoors. While this shows his curiosity, it also highlights the importance of providing him with a safe, watchful environment. 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. Frankie enjoys the company of other dogs and would likely thrive with a calm canine companion to show him the ropes. With patience, love, and time, he blossoms into a loyal, affectionate companion who just wants a safe place to land.

If you believe in second chances and want to help a shy but sweet dog continue his journey from forgotten to forever, Frankie may be the perfect match.

Ideal Home

A home with secure fencing and supervision outdoors is essential due to his escape artist tendencies. A quieter household with a predictable routine will help him feel secure. He may do well with older children who understand how to respect his boundaries.

Ongoing Health

No specific health concerns were mentioned.

Training & Support

Frankie is still learning to be comfortable on leash and may freeze or pancake. He also finds new doorways or thresholds intimidating at times. Patience and understanding will be key as he continues to gain 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. 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 ensure you have spoken with them and they are on board.

Transporation

Frankie is currently in a foster home in Austin, Texas, and can transport out of state once an approved adopter is lined up.