For most people, Polo is just an ordinary pit bull. But for Laura Miller, he is special. Heβs the dog that escaped an unnecessary euthanasia and found a home.
βHe is this happy-go-lucky, cuddly dog who loves everybody,β said Miller, director forΒ Sarama Animal Rescue. βHe is so personable with people, and he kind of looks like aΒ baby hippo, which is adorable.β
It was last March when the 4-year-old pit bull Polo was found as a stray and brought to theΒ Animal Care and Control Team of PhiladelphiaΒ (ACCT Philly). He got adopted rather quickly, but things didnβt work out with his new family. He and his new familyβs cat didnβt get along and he climbed the fence to their neighborsβ yard once. He even had a quarrel with their dog there. Needless to say, he was not only returned to the shelter but lost all practical chances to get adopted again.
βThey time-stamped him, which means that they give him a dateΒ for euthanasia,β Miller said. βThey usually do this because the shelter is full, and a dog with that kind of history isnβt likely to be adopted by the public. Even though heβs had these really great qualities … they still have to disclose his history with the other dogs, and when youβre looking at a hundred pit bulls, youβre probably not going to take one with that history.β
Miller was devastated about Poloβs situation.
βHis life was one on the line because of one incident,β Miller said. βWhile Iβm not dismissing it, this incident doesnβt represent who he is.β


Miller looked everywhere and tried everyone for help. She worked with volunteers from ACCT Philly, but nothing was coming up. Until the day of Poloβs euthanasia came and a miracle happened. A dog trainer sent Miller a message and said sheβd like to foster Polo. Miller didnβt waste a minute before calling her back.
βI talked to her and she sounded amazing,β Miller said. βSo we decided to go for it.β
Miller drove Polo to his new foster home, about a half hour away. This time, Polo adjusted to his new home perfectly.
βHeβs great in the house, heβs great with people,β Miller said.
Of course, Polo will eventually need a forever home, but his chances are now drastically increased, which is the most important thing.
βHe just needs someone who wants to be his best friend,β Miller said. βThatβs what he really needs.β