Buddy

My story

Meet Buddy! Buddy is a 1.5-year-old pit bull/staffie mix who’s as tough as he is tender. Rescued as a malnourished stray with an old injury to his right rear leg, this resilient little guy has made a full recovery after surgery and therapy. Now he’s healthy, healed, and ready to win your heart. Despite what his pictures might suggest, Buddy is smaller than he looks—he weighs in at just 30 to 35 pounds, making him the perfect size for cuddles and adventures alike. He’s potty trained, crate trained, and sleeps soundly in his crate at night or when his foster family is away. Buddy is an excellent travel companion who handles long car rides like a pro, and he's even a great camping buddy. He walks nicely on a leash and has no food aggression—he’ll happily share his bowl. He’s cooperative for baths and nail trims and already knows “sit.” He’s working on “stay,” “down,” and other basics, and he understands that he needs to sit quietly before getting leashed or going through doors. Buddy is a social dog who loves being around his foster siblings. While he can be a bit of a pesky little brother at times, he thrives as part of a pack. He rarely barks, but if separated from his dog friends, he might give a short whine. As a young dog, he still has puppy energy and needs daily opportunities to run and burn off his zoomies. Once he’s gotten that energy out, he’s a very chill, relaxed companion. His injured leg isn’t as strong as the others, but it doesn’t slow him down—he’s fast, agile, and always ready to play. Buddy is great with older kids and may just need a little supervision around small children as he continues to work on his manners, especially since he can be a bit rowdy and mouthy when excited. He’s treat-motivated, eager to learn, and lives for quiet snuggles. He isn’t demanding about attention but will gently lay his head on your lap and gaze up at you with his stunning amber eyes. This sweet, affectionate boy is good in public, enjoys meeting people, and loves chew bones and ice cubes. We can’t say enough good things about Buddy. He’s the total package—loving, resilient, easygoing, and full of potential. If you’re looking for a loyal friend who will be by your side for every road trip, lazy day, and evening snuggle, Buddy just might be your perfect match. Our standard adoption fee is $375 if paid by cash or check, or $385 if paid by credit card (which includes a $10 processing fee). This fee covers spay/neuter surgery when age appropriate at one of our participating veterinarians, age-appropriate core vaccinations, fecal testing, deworming, flea and tick preventative, and microchipping. In order to be considered for adoption, we require a fully completed application, a phone interview, and a meet-and-greet with your entire family. Please note that submitting an application does not commit you to adopting and does not guarantee approval—it simply allows us to begin the review process. If you are interested in adopting or would like additional information, please email us at adopt@safehavendogsIL.org to request an application. Keep in mind that the breed and size listed in each dog's biography are our best educated guesses and are not guaranteed. Safe Haven Dog Rescue reserves the right to refuse the adoption of any dog or puppy to any applicant for any reason.

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Buddy, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.