There are many prejudices in the world, especially when it comes to animals, particularly dogs. One of the most common and widely accepted stereotypes is that Pit Bulls are not suitable for adoption.
This mindset has led many people to dismiss the idea of adopting a Pittie, leaving these loyal dogs abandoned and struggling to survive on their own.
Thankfully, not everyone shares this belief. One woman, Caitlyn, saw beyond the stereotype and welcomed a Pittie into her home without hesitation.
That decision changed her life forever…
The Beginning Was Everything But Easy
Source: GeoBeats Animals
When a stray Pit Bull named Liv was found, she was severely underweight, her stomach sagging from overbreeding, and her ears folded backward—possibly due to a failed cropping attempt.
Despite her rough past, Caitlyn from Charlotte, North Carolina, was instantly drawn to Liv’s sorrowful eyes, which reflected all the hardships she had endured.
Although Caitlyn already had a Pit Bull at home, she couldn’t turn away from this beautiful Pittie. Without hesitation, she decided to become her foster mom.
“We are excited to announce we have started our next adventure, but this one isn’t a road trip! We are fostering Liv! ❤️” she shared on Instagram. “This sweet little girl is still taking some time to adjust. She is very skittish & nervous, but loves to sit in my lap and will literally hold my hand all day long!”
Considering Liv’s past, it’s no surprise that her transition was challenging. But over time, things slowly started to fall into place.
Source: GeoBeats Animals
Baby Liv may be little, but she has a HUGE heart. I have watched her transform in less than a week with us—from a terrified girl who would barely wag her tail to stealing Tot’s toys, pushing him out of the doorway to go first, and chasing us through the house,” Caitlyn shared in another Instagram post.
You’re probably wondering who Tot is. Well, that’s perhaps the most heartwarming part of this story.
Tot Was Her Ticket To A Happy Life
Source: @totty_too_hotty
“She would not go for walks until I started bringing Tater Tot on the walks with us,” Caitlyn told GeoBeats Animals.
At the beginning of this story, we mentioned that Caitlyn already had a dog at home—another Pit Bull. That dog is Tater Tot.
From the moment they met, Liv and Tot formed an unbreakable bond. It wasn’t just their breed that connected them, but their shared experiences of hardship and survival. Like Liv, Tater Tot was also a rescue dog.
What made their friendship even more remarkable was Tater Tot’s personality. He was a selective dog—not typically friendly toward new dogs. Yet, with Liv, it was different. Something about her drew him in, breaking down his usual barriers in a way no other dog had before.
“I was terrified to do their meet & greet,” Caitlyn admitted in an Instagram post. “One night, she accidentally knocked down her gate. It fell on my foot & I could barely walk 🤣 it hurt so bad and bruised literally my entire foot.”
But before Caitlyn could react, Liv darted out to meet Tater Tot. To her surprise, instead of tension, the two started playing right away. “I prayed it didn’t turn into a fight—and the rest is history,” she wrote.
Source: @totty_too_hotty
Although Liv had already found a place in Caitlyn’s heart, she was still technically a foster dog. But the unbreakable bond between her and Tater Tot became the turning point in Caitlyn’s decision to make things official.
From that day forward, Liv was no longer just a foster—she was family. Caitlyn gave her a new name, Sweet Pea, a reflection of the love and warmth she now knew.
More importantly, this black Pit Bull was finally where she truly belonged—home.
She Blossomed Around Her Favorites
Source: @totty_too_hotty
Since finding her forever home, Sweet Pea has undergone five surgeries. One of the most noticeable reminders of her past was a lingering wound on her face—a painful mark of everything she had endured.
With her final operation, that wound finally healed, symbolizing the end of her struggles. The physical scars of her past life faded, making way for a new chapter filled with love and security.
Despite her traumatic beginnings, Sweet Pea has blossomed into a devoted and affectionate companion. She finds comfort in resting her paws on her mom’s hand, soaking up head pats, and offering support when her loved ones are feeling down. For Sweet Pea, family means everything.
Source: @totty_too_hotty
“Even to this day, she doesn’t go for walks unless the three of us are together,” Caitlyn told GeoBeats Animals. “It doesn’t matter if the TV is on, it doesn’t matter what’s going on—as long as I am with her or Tater Tot is with her.”
This loving trio often visited Caitlyn’s mom at work, where a vast open field provided the perfect space for the dogs to run and play. Sweet Pea would chase and wrestle with her brother for a while, but before long, she would return to stand protectively beside her mom or granny. Even off-leash, she never wandered far—her family was her anchor, and she refused to leave their side.
Despite all the hardships she endured, Sweet Pea found the strength to survive and rise above it all. The love of her family became her driving force—without them, her journey would have been incomplete.
But beyond her own transformation, this resilient black Pit Bull proved something even greater. She showed the world that love is stronger than any prejudice or stereotype—that in the end, love always wins.
You just have to find the right people.