An abused and damaged Pit Bull crept onto Christianna Willis’s doorstep one tragic night. Christianna happens to work at an animal hospital, and her heart sank as she brought the dog into her home to examine her.
She was so outraged and hurt by the female dog’s poor health that she penned a strong and personal letter to “express her feelings” and placed it on Craigslist. Mama Jade was the dog’s name, and Christianna tells how she was utilized as a “breeding machine” and bait dog in her letter. Her tormentors had filed and pulled her teeth, making it impossible for her to fight back, and she had been bitten all over her body. Jade had breast cancer, which added to the misery of the scenario.
The humane thing to do given her bad health and lack of finances to treat her cancer was to put Mama Jade to sleep, but Christianna stated that she would make sure Jade’s dying days were filled with love. Then something extraordinary occurred. Mama Jade’s article went viral, and donations flooded in from all around the world to help pay for her pricey cancer treatment. Mama Jade is still with us after two years. Despite the fact that her cancer has returned, the sweet girl enjoys a happy existence.
Here is Christianna’s original letter, which saved Mama Jade’s life while also shining a light on the horrors of dog fighting.
“Your dog went up onto our doorstep last Friday night. Her body was plagued with signs of the abuse she had managed to avoid. Fresh bite wounds on her muzzle, scars all over her body, exposed pink and purple flesh around her neck, where she was clearly tied up with ropes that ripped their way into her skin over and over. The evident indicators that she had been bred repeatedly. From being tied and forced to lay on the ground and metal cage mesh, she had pressure wounds on her elbows that bled whenever they touched anything.
“None of them are even close to the worst portion.” I burst into tears as I examined her teeth to determine her approximate age. I discovered that you had removed the majority of them and filed down the ones you left. And you performed it without anesthetic, I’m certain of it. You did that so she wouldn’t be able to defend herself. You did this to prevent her from injuring any of the dogs you’d taught to fight when you put her in with them. They’d look to you for encouragement with each bite they took of her and each yelp she cried. Because they only wanted to satisfy you. Loyalty runs into their veins. This is not the case.
“I remained up with her the first night she was here and only slept for two hours.” She’d get up every time I moved and stare at me with worried eyes. She was adamant that I not abandon her.
“God must have guided this mama to my door, knowing she’d find solace here.” On my day off the next morning, I drove her to work. I work at a veterinary clinic.
“As soon as she walked into the building, her neck began to bleed. You had sliced into the delicate scars on her neck with the hefty collar you had put on her. She didn’t even let forth a yelp. I found out while I was weighing her and noticed blood on the scale. I removed the ludicrous item from her body.
“All of the wonderful people I work with are completely enamored with your puppy. So it hurt our hearts even more when we found out she had breast cancer.
“Over the last 3 days, our staff has grown to love this beautiful and broken soul. Skin and bones, we feed her constantly but only foods that are soft enough for her… You know, since you ripped her teeth out and all.
“Mama lets you get right up in her face. In fact, she LOVES it. She’ll give you slobbery kisses and nuzzle your face with love.
“We’re all shocked at how trusting she is of others.” Dogs, on the other hand, terrify her to death. She growls in terror and tucks her tail between her legs, regardless of size. Who can blame her, though? What did you do to her after what you did to her?
“Mama will finally be at ease tomorrow.” I’ll be there when she shuts her eyes and breaths her last breath. I’ll take her large head in my hands and tell her how much I adore her.
“And after her soul has left her bruised body and the tears have dried enough for me to see, I’ll document every bruise, bite, cut, scrape, and gash.” I’m going to shoot her teeth, or rather, the spaces between her teeth. I’ll hand up all of the proof and post it somewhere where everyone can see it. I’ll use it to teach children in high-crime neighborhoods about the dangers of dog fighting.
“You should not be allowed in everyday society if you can do that to a dog.” And the only way to stop it is to teach our children what is good and wrong.
“You’ll be caught one day.” I honestly don’t know what I’d do if I ever found out who did this to the dog we all call “Mama Jade.” However, it would almost certainly entail contacting your mother and informing her of the monster she had created. My purpose would be to make a mockery of your miserable existence.
“The story of Mama Jade will not be forgotten. She simply showed up on the doorway of one tenacious, educated, respected, and now enraged human being.”
Update: December 31, 2016
Mama Jade passed away on Christmas Day of 2016 to a brain tumor, 3 years after her rescue. Her mom, Christiana, continues to rescue Pit Bulls in her honor.
Share Mama Jade’s inspirational story with your family and friends!