Loyal Pit bull who grieved by the side of his fatally wounded friend for over 14 hours ready for adoption

Devo by his dead friend

Update May 25

What a difference a week can make in one dog's life! The loyal, loving pit bull found by his dead friend, has been rescued by Lost Paws in Phoenix, AZ. He has been named Devo (short for Devotion). The group rescued Devo from the Maricopa shelter and will be providing him with love and care while adoption applications are accepted and reviewed. To apply to adopt Devo, download the form here (this is a Microsoft Word document) and send it to Lost Paws. Applications can be sent to Lost Paws, P.O. Box 86578, Phoenix, AZ 85080. Their email is thelostpaws@gmail.com.

The rescue says "Our hope is that everyone who was willing/wanting to help Devo, will run to their nearest animal shelter and save another life in his honor."

Grieving pit bull ready for adoption

Update May 23

Today, Maricopa County Animal Care and Control will decide the fate of a pit bull found over the weekend by the body of his female friend, as no one has stepped forward to claim the loyal dog.

Rodrigo Silva of Maricopa Animal Care and Control said the dog is doing well, all things considered. "He's a little withdrawn and he appears to be very sad...If he continues to show these signs of withdrawal we will place him in a recovery home that can help him with his grieving." Although he may not be adopted out immediately, many people have stepped forward and offered to adopt the loyal dog.

The dog is now in Maricopa Animal Care and Control's New Hope Program, where he has been passed to one of the rescue organizations that participate in the program. The rescue will treat the dog for depression and, hopefully, adopt the dog out to a new home once he’s ready.

May 22

heartbreaking scene as pitbull stays by dead friend's side

A male pit bull lay next to his dead mate, his face next to hers, for over 14 hours over the weekend in Phoenix, Arizona. A photo was taken of the sad moment and posted online. The picture spread among animal lovers on Facebook over the weekend, moving many to tears.

The female pit bull was hit by a car sometime Friday night, and lay dead on the side of a Phoenix road. The male pit bull refused to leave her side throughout the night. Witnessing the heartbreaking scene, a nearby business grew concerned for the dog and set out food and water for him.

City Animal Control came to remove the male pit bull on Saturday morning and took him to their Maricopa County Animal Care and Control for review. Animal Control Officer Rodrigo Silva said "Right now, it doesn't look like he has any behavioral or health problems." The officers noted the dog had an owner at one time because of the harness he was wearing.

The dog will remain under observation at the East Valley facility until May 23rd. If his owner does not step forward before that time, the dog will be made available for adoption should he clears their health and behavioral checks.

Thank you so much, Tamara. That is great news! Yes, I am sure there are a lot of apps to review, but at least he is in a great foster home. I'm down here in FL and was very moved by the picture. Such a caring soul. It's just amazing that the owner wasn't found. There was a story I read last night from NJ where a "Pit" who was wearing a halter and a leash, walked down a dirt path in a park to seek help. When a person tried to carry her to the park office, she kept wiggling too much, so he put her down. She started pulling the man with her leash, and about 150 yards down that path, was her fallen owner who had suffered some type of medical event and was then rushed to a hospital. So, I am wondering if perhaps something like this may have happened to Devo also. Just a thought, because I know if would have been me, I would have been looking all over the place for my dog, every way I knew how, through dogs lost ads, flyers, posters, online posts, etc. etc.

Comments on this Article

As of May 30 he was in an excellent foster home, according to Lost Paws. I'm sure they have a lot of adoption applications to review before the sweet fellow finds a permanent home.

What is the latest update to this story. Today is June 5th and I am wondering if he did get adopted by a nice family or person?