Meatloaf

My story

MEET MEATLOAF — BIG HEAD, BIG HEART & CURRENTLY EMPLOYED IN CORPORATE AMERICA OMGGGG… LOOK AT THIS BIG BEAUTIFUL FELLA Hi, I’m Meatloaf, and OMG OMG OMG, apparently nobody was prepared for this much preciousness wrapped inside one giant English Bulldog. At an estimated 2.5 years old and 60lbs I’m goofy, animated, built like a small piece of furniture, and underneath all of this bulldog is one of the kindest demeanors you could ask for. My foster mom had never fostered an English Bulldog before and was totally up for the challenge. Then I showed up being sweet, well behaved, gentle (BULL IN A CHINA SHOP), and ridiculously lovable, and she quickly realized I wasn't exactly the challenge everyone warned her about. Also, whoever keeps saying English Bulldogs are just giant Frenchies clearly doesn’t have a clue! I am my own entire experience. MY BACKSTORY IS A LITTLE… QUESTIONABLE I came to Freedom Frenchie Rescue through a surrender that was posted on Facebook. My owner said she could no longer care for me, although we're honestly not completely sure why. When the rescue picked me up, they were told another English Bulldog in the home kept going after me—and supposedly that dog was my mom. They were also told that my dad was Chris Brown's dad’s son….Yea that’s a mouth full. Listen, unless somebody shows up with a canine family tree and some receipts, we're just going to file that one under “interesting information we cannot confirm.” At the end of the day, we really don't know where I originally came from, and none of that changes the dog standing in front of you today. THE ONE THING WE DID KNOW WAS THAT MY EAR NEEDED HELP What wasn't questionable was the condition of my ear. I came into rescue with a significant ear infection that desperately needed treatment. It was bad enough that if we couldn't get it under control, there was concern that something as serious as TECA surgery could eventually become necessary. Thankfully, I have been responding really well to my ear medication and drops, and we're continuing to watch my progress closely. For now, things are moving in the direction everyone hoped they would, and considering where that ear started, that's pretty freaking exciting. APPARENTLY I’M A VERY GOOD PATIENT… MOST OF THE TIME Ear drops? Go ahead. Eye drops? Fine. Wrinkle wipes? Ohhhh, yes please. I let my people take care of me without turning every medical task into an Olympic event, and I actually LOVE having my face and wrinkles wiped. Considering how uncomfortable my ear must have been before coming into rescue, I've been incredibly tolerant about everyone poking around and helping me feel better. There is, however, one very important exception that my foster mom discovered, and knowing it has helped everyone understand me better. PLEASE KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF THE BACK OF MY NECK (for now) I do not like having the scruff or back of my neck grabbed or pulled. Foster mom figured this out after a small Meatloaf tantrum at the vet and has since realized that this is a genuine trigger for me. We don't know why. It could be a learned sensitivity from something that happened before rescue, it could be associated with the discomfort I've experienced around my ear, or it could be something else entirely. We aren't going to invent a story and call it abuse when we don't know that. What we do know is that I communicate pretty clearly when something makes me uncomfortable, and now that my people understand that boundary, they can handle me in ways that make me feel safer. I’M LEARNING THAT RULES APPLY TO ME TOO My foster mom has started working with me on some basic commands, and I'm doing really well. I'm smart, I'm food motivated, and I take treats so gently that it's almost ridiculous considering the size of my head. We're working on structure and redirection, and I'm beginning to understand what is expected of me. Like most bulldogs, I do best when someone calmly and consistently leads the way instead of leaving me to make every decision myself. THE SLIP LEAD INCIDENT OF 2026 Foster mom has also been working with me on a slip lead during because having that extra connection helps her communicate with me while we're practicing. She started in the backyard, and I actually did really well. Then she redirected me for the first time, and I would like the record to reflect that I nearly died. At least that's what my performance suggested. I did not actually die. I wasn't even injured. I simply discovered that redirection was apparently part of this arrangement, expressed my extreme disappointment, and then pouted because nobody apologized for expecting me to have manners. Listen I am an English Bulldog, you think frenchies are dramatic haha I HAVE FEELINGS, AND YOU WILL KNOW ABOUT THEM If you want a dog with absolutely no facial expressions, keep scrolling because I am not your guy. I am ridiculously animated. When I'm happy, you know it. When I'm excited, you know it. When I think you've made an unacceptable decision on my behalf, you REALLY know it. I pout. I give the cold shoulder. I stareeee.. for a very long time. It can be questionable. I can communicate an entire paragraph of disappointment without making a sound. There is a very big baby living inside this very big bulldog body, and he has opinions. PUT A BELLY BAND ON ME AND FIND OUT Nothing demonstrates my flair for drama better than putting something on me that I have not personally approved. A belly band, for example, can cause my entire operating system to shut down. I will simply stand there completely frozen, staring at you with the most asinine, deeply offended glare you've ever seen in your life. I won't necessarily fight you about it because that requires effort. Instead, I'll make you feel terrible about your choices. It's psychological warfare, English Bulldog edition, and apparently, I'm naturally gifted. I HAVE NOW ENTERED CORPORATE AMERICA Foster mom takes me to work with her, which means I am officially a corporate Meatloaf. My primary responsibilities currently include arriving at the office, locating the area underneath her desk, going to sleep, and maintaining employee morale by existing. I take this position very seriously. Honestly, if your workplace allows dogs, I may already have more office experience than some applicants. Just give me a desk to sleep under, reasonable snack benefits, and adequate wrinkle maintenance, and I see absolutely no reason I can't climb the corporate ladder. Ive been asking her for a tie to wear to work but apparently she likes to keep is casual, with a ridiculous belly band!! THE CARPOOL IS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS Getting to the office requires riding in the car, and I'm not going to pretend that's my favorite part of the job. I don't necessarily hate the car, but I'm not climbing in yelling, “ROAD TRIP!” either. Foster mom has been taking me for rides regularly, and each time I'm getting more comfortable and settling down faster. This is one of those things where exposure, patience, and consistency are helping me understand that getting in the car doesn't mean something terrible is about to happen. Sometimes it just means we're going to work so I can crawl underneath a desk and resume my nap. Every morning I help her load the car and well myself. LADIES, PLEASE FORM AN ORDERLY LINE I really enjoy being around other dogs, but I especially enjoy the ladies. What can I say? Meatloaf is a flirt. I like hanging out with my canine friends and being part of the group, and foster mom has been able to watch how I handle different personalities. I'm not looking to manufacture drama with another dog, and if somebody starts bringing negative energy, my preference is generally to remove myself and go the other direction. I DON’T WANT THE DRAMA, BUT I’M NOT A DOORMAT It's important to understand the difference between being conflict-avoidant and being unable to defend yourself. I would rather walk away from another dog's negative behavior than participate in it, which says a lot about my temperament. That doesn't mean another dog should be allowed to continually push me, corner me, or provoke me because I'm sweet. I can and will stand up for myself if I feel I need to. My future family should be willing to advocate for me, supervise interactions, and make sure everyone in the home respects each other's boundaries. WALKING WITH MY HUMAN IS MY KIND OF OUTING I LOVE going for walks. Give me my person, let me sniff around, explore a little, and see what's happening in the world, and I'm a pretty happy Meatloaf. Obviously I'm still an English Bulldog, so my future family needs to understand bulldog limitations, especially when it comes to heat and strenuous activity. I don't need to be training for a marathon. I just really enjoy getting out, stretching these bulldog legs, and spending time with my person. I do not like to be left outside, at least not yet I get FOMO, and lets just say a little PTSD kicks in from my history before FFR. So please stay with me, or I’m going to stand at the door and stare at you inside. TOYS ARE SERIOUS BUSINESS I definitely enjoy playing with my toys, and as I get more comfortable, more of my goofy personality keeps coming out. I'm playful without needing to turn the entire house upside down, and I'm perfectly happy entertaining myself for a while before coming back to see what my human is doing. Between toys, walks, office naps, dog friends, and cuddles, I've developed a pretty respectable daily schedule for a guy whose primary qualification is having an enormous head. THIS BIG BOY IS A TOTAL CUDDLER Underneath all of the drama, pouting, flirting, and corporate responsibilities, I am an unbelievably affectionate dog. I LOVE cuddles and genuinely enjoy being close to my people. There's something especially hilarious about watching this big, solid English Bulldog turn into an absolute baby when it's time for affection. I'm intimidating only if you're frightened of being stared at judgmentally after putting a belly band on me. I’M NOT THE STORY SOMEBODY TOLD ABOUT ME We may never know exactly what happened before I came to Freedom Frenchie Rescue. We don't know which pieces of my surrender story were accurate, where I originally came from, or why certain things make me uncomfortable. And honestly, none of that tells you nearly as much as spending time with the dog I am right now. I'm kind. I'm gentle. I'm cooperative. I'm learning. I love other dogs. I take treats softly. I enjoy walks and toys. I let my people care for me. I walk away from unnecessary drama. I cuddle like it's my job, and apparently now I actually have a job too. ENGLISH BULLDOGS COME WITH MAINTENANCE As wonderful as I am, adopting an English Bulldog means understanding that this magnificent head and all these wrinkles come with responsibilities. My future family needs to stay on top of my ears, eyes, wrinkles, skin, weight, breathing, and overall health throughout my life. Right now, the rescue is especially focused on getting my ear completely settled and continuing the care that's been working. I'm wonderfully cooperative about most of my maintenance, but I still need humans who understand that staying ahead of bulldog problems is much better than waiting until a little problem becomes a big one. DON’T LET THE BIG HEAD FOOL YOU I'm Meatloaf—the big ding dong who was supposed to be some huge English Bulldog challenge and instead showed everyone what an absolute angel I can be. I'm learning commands, working on my manners, getting better in the car, going to work with foster mom, sleeping under her desk, flirting with the ladies, playing with my toys, enjoying my walks, getting my wrinkles wiped, taking my treats like a gentleman, and providing Oscar-worthy performances anytime I believe I've been mildly inconvenienced. If Heart of the Beast was about me and Jack Black, instead of Brad Pitt and Uber, our adventures would win an Oscar!!! Can you imagine us two! I don't need somebody who's going to feel sorry for me because my story before rescue is unclear. I need somebody who sees the dog standing in front of them now and is willing to keep giving me the structure, care, patience, boundaries, medical follow-through, and ridiculous amount of love that have allowed this personality to come out. Because underneath this giant English Bulldog head is one incredibly kind heart—and one very dramatic corporate Meatloaf who's ready to make somebody laugh for the rest of his life. Meatloaf is neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped, he is being fostered in Glendale, AZ. His adoption donation fee is $1150.00 and you can apply for him at freedomfrenchierescue.org. *Please Note: All learning and guidance must continue in their new home. A dog’s behavior can change with a new environment and energy, and every family’s dynamic is different. What works or is allowed in one foster home may not be the same in yours, so consistency, patience, and continued training are key to their success.

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