I have been an approved foster for Ruff Start Rescue in Princeton, MN for a little over 3 years. I have seen some of the worst things and some of the greatest things through this rescue. I also have made some of the greatest friends anyone could ever ask for! Not only have I temporarily fostered dogs, and given countless hours, done many home visits, processed many applications, donated money and supplies, and have fostered tons of dogs. Who would have guessed my Pit Bull foster would save me from the worst heart break in the world by SAVING my son!
TatorTot was pulled from Minneapolis Animal Care & Control (MACC) by Ruff Start Rescue. He was originally supposed to be a foster to adopt situation, then after months of trying to make him fit to the family, so as they waited patiently for awhile for a new foster to step up. I had gotten an email about a month prior to me taking him, I had seen another dog I wanted to pull from MACC, but the timing wasn’t right. I was told again about TatorTot (then know as Gator, stupid name if you ask me). Originally I had thought that he was going to be too much energy for my family and that he would just end up stir crazy, Boy was I wrong!
I picked up TatorTot on Saturday September 28th, 2013, my first reaction was “Oh my, what a strong boy!” I then took him home, let him play in the yard, fed him, and took him to the pet store for some new items i.e. collar, leash, food, chew toys, and training treats!! When I got home immediately go to work on training, he knew “Sit” and “Shake” right off the bat! Thinking to myself “This is a good start!” I now have taught him more leash manners as he loves to pull, I taught him to go lay down when we are having dinner, I also taught him to sit and wait for his food till I give him the “OK”. Little did I know that he would become my medical alert dog!
On Wednesday October 2nd, 2014 I had put my son to bed about 8:30pm as normal, it always takes him a few tries to get him to actually to go to bed, So I waited a bit till he was asleep to go to bed, at 1:30am my son comes to me, acting kind of strangely, nothing to be concerned of more just like he was deliriously tired. So off he goes back to bed. I didn’t realize it right away, but my foster dog TatorTot (a brown/red Pit Bull Terrier) was starting to act strange too. Before I knew it TatorTot was running back and forth between my son and I, barking and whining, I told him to knock it off of course and tried to get him to come lay down with me. Finally after a few minutes I go to check on my son. He was completely unconscious, but not like any other passed out child. TatorTot was still barking and whining and licking my son’s face, any other child for surely would have woken up from this! Even when I was trying wake him up he didn’t move or flinch. As I scoop my son in my arms, I whisper “Good boy TatorTots!”
I then rush my son to the hospital, finding out after hours of being there that his Glucose levels were dangerously low; they ran some tests thinking Diabetes type II. They gave me supplies and taught me how to administer Glucose, and also gave chewable tabs. They also told me to get into our Pediatrician that day, after ever couple hour checking his levels (without being on meds) everything looked normal again that day. We went to the doctors and had tests run, and told me to carry on till we got the tests back. Today October 4, 2013 we just got the tests back! My son is NEGATIVE for Diabetes!! (Everyone can exhale now). Still we haven’t found out the cause of this, but it’s a very good start!
As for my handsome TatorTot (Tots, Or Totski as I like to call him) He is my Saving Grace! He is the most well behaved Pit Bull I have ever met! I owe EVERYTHING to this wonderful dog! He saved me from the most heart breaking pain any mother could feel, I could have lost my son! And MY PIT BULL saved him! How do you honestly repay a dog for saving a life and saving your own heart break? I knew that night lying in the hospital that the only I could do (besides spoil the crap out of him) was to adopt him! I later that morning when we got back emailed the rescue, because another family wanted to meet him again. I told them what had happened and completely understood my reasoning (come on, really, who wouldn’t?).
My story then went Viral on the internet among the rescue community! I have received an over abundance of love and support! I have even had people want to help pay for his adoption! (Being a single mom, with no help from the state, or child support, I truly thank you!) If any donations want to be made, I request that it go towards training for TatorTot to become a therapy dog, Or to Ruff Start Rescue to save more lives. I am truly blessed to have a wonderful son, amazing PIT BULL, outstanding friends and family, a small but powerful rescue, and the love and support from the rescue community.
I owe all of my Gratitude, Love, and Protection to MY PIT BULL TatorTot!
(Thanks for making mama proud Tots!)
Christi Smith
DiaryofaPitbullMama 
Wow what a great story, I am truly touched by your words! Pitbulls make great friends and family members!
Thank you so much!
Bawling every time I read your story. Congratulations to you and to tots!
It took me about 4 days to stop bawling! I still get teary now but manage to hold it together! Thank you!
Christi I am praising God for Peytons life. Your new dog Tator.. What can I say? I have never liked pitbulls(more of a fear than dislike) but on this day I have changed my feelings….at least for one cute pitbull by the name of Tatortot!
Kasey Neumann-
there are many many many stories of Pibbles salving their family members. from Onyx who was burned over 30% of his body, getting his family awake to save their son from a fire, to Lily who lost her paw pulling her unconscious owner from a railroad track, to Dela who like your TatorTot, developed the ability to detect something wrong in a child that parents did not know. The most remarkable thing about Dela was that she was not the dog of the family whose daughter she saved, but of their business partner. She alerted that something was wrong with the daughter while she was in the work place, and then later that night, she woke her owners up frantic, barking, howling, and whining until they called the business partner and had them check the child. She was like your boy, unconscious in her bed. She turned out to have a rare seizure disorder, and Dela moved to her house, and began going to school with her as well. I worked with these people and watching Dela with this girl was amazing.
Pibbles rock. and people need to learn that. i am not ignorant to the fact that they also can hurt people. as can any dog. and everytime that happens…. i look to the source of the problem. and guess what i find? irresponsible, uninformed, thoughtless owners. that’s where we need to concentrate our energy. to that end, we need to work on banning Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) which prevents responsible people from being able to own Pibbles… and doesn’t slow down the law breakers at all. We also need to increase penalty for dog fighting, and elevate even watching a dog fight to a felony, so that we are convicting for more than just a RICO violation regarding the gambling part of the operation. We need to put people who fight dogs, breed dogs for fighting or watch/bet on dog fights in jail for a VERY long time.
kiss a Pibble today!
Christi, not sure if you remember me or not from your sister. We all used to hang at your parents houseback in the BBS days. I read your story and think Tatertot is amazing! I’m glad that you are adopting him. Very glad that he helped saved your son as well. My last 2 dogs were both recurs. Black lab cross, and a rottie. My rottie was my teddy bear! I hope you and your family figure everything out and have lots of fun with your newest member!
Awesome Story! And TatorTot looks just like our Foxy Brown…a brilliant tale for a breed who needs more of these to go viral
What a great story, I can definitely see why he became a part of your family.
so glad you found tatertot, or he found you. and so glad your adopting him. bless you and your son. (and ur new baby 🙂 )
I have a female red nose pit bull named Bella. She is five years old along with my son. On June 4, 2010 my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. We spent a week in the hospital and when we came home she stayed stuck to his side and has since. It took her about a year to pick up on him having low blood sugars in the middle of the night, but once she did, she goes crazy. She jumps on my bed and runs around me and my husband and barks in our ears and wakes us up before my son even wakes up. I would have to say out of all the dogs I’ve been around my pit Bella is by far my favorite. Her temperament is amazing and she loves my kids.
I’ll tell you what, we have a red nosed pitty, and they are just the sweetest things in the world. Touching story.
I am so happy to hear your story! We have a Staffy rescue named Bruce and I don’t know how we ever lived without him. He is the most loving, intuitive and affectionate dog that I’ve ever known.
Good boy TaterTot and bless you,Christi for the love you gave him.
Great song: Pit Bull Blues by John Shipe who loves red-nosed pit bulls and does some fundraising for the bully breeds also. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtGT2apOlKw
Enjoy!
I had a bad interaction with a stray pit bull several years ago. I almost lost my mini doxie. I am working toward desensitizing myself so I can see past bad owners and see the breed for what it really is. Thank you for making your story public.
I was like you, I didn’t trust the breed, but I’ve worked past that. It isn’t the breed, I truly believe the dogs are some of the most gentle, loving and intelligent creatures on earth. I believe it is those who mistreat them, who fight them and who abuse them that give them a bad name. I now have “Roxanne” our brown pit who i would not trade for the world…..Good luck.
absolutely amazing Christi, Tot is such a beautiful dog with a beautiful life with you and your son , i’m so glad your little guy turned out fine , god bless your family , you are an amazing mama to peyton and to tot Xo
Just wanted to let you know that my pit/boxer/corgi/lab/?? Mix is a certified therapy dog. Be careful of who you go thru to get him certified – as some organizations do not have free liability policies and and will cost quite a hefty sum for the classes and the test (and sometimes the evaluator fee too). Ike (my rescue pup from Hurricane Katrina) and I are certified thru International Therapy Dogs, Inc – and have found them to be super helpful whenever we’ve had questions. Good luck! **Btw, Ike’s sister (Ruby-my almost 12 yr old pit/boxer), looks almost exactly like Tots. But Ruby has a white stripe up the middle of her face :)**