VERONA — Tirzah Cook first found Olive about three years ago after the dog had been discovered in a trash bin in Northern Virginia. Some of the puppies in the litter didn’t survive, but Cook adopted Olive at three months old through NOVA Pets Alive, a rescue organization based in Fairfax.
Olive was weak and had some intestinal problems when Cook first adopted her. She was very skinny, but Cook said she was always a happy dog. After working to get her proper health care and nutrition, Cook said Olive is now a healthy dog.
Through a DNA test, Cook discovered Olive was an American pit bull terrier. Cook had never owned a pit bull, but knew that the breed didn’t have a great reputation.
“We noticed when we would take her out in public people would go to the other side of the street, they’d really avoid her,” Cook said. “We’d hear people whisper, ‘Oh, that’s a pit bull.’ I didn’t want her to get that kind of (negative) attention. She just loves people so much. She’s really kind.”
Cook began dressing the dog up in fancy costumes with bows and bandanas and ruffled skirts. Cook also started an Instagram page for the dog to showcase photos of her.
“It was trying to promote a happy, beautiful little pit bull,” Cook said. “Maybe people had never seen that in a pit bull. They’d always seen the bad things.”
The plan worked.
“Now people come right up to her and pet her,” Cook said.
Olive is in the running to be America’s Favorite Pet. The winner of the voting gets their photo on the cover of Modern Dog magazine, wins $10,000 and will have a story about them in the magazine.
Voting for the first round runs through Jan. 16. If Olive makes the cut she’ll be included in the second round of voting. While people are allowed to vote once a day for free, multiple votes are allowed with a donation to Progressive Animal Welfare Society
Cook said if Olive does win, they plan to donate a portion of the winnings back to NOVA Pets Alive as well as Virginia Paws for Pits Virginia, a Shenandoah Valley-based rescue organization.
Cook suffers from a brain injury and Olive is currently being trained to be her emotional support animal.
“We have found that she is the most affectionate dog ever,” Cook said. “She is super sweet. Wiggles her butt like crazy. Nobody is a stranger. She just loves everyone so much.”
— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at [email protected] and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
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