When a Gladiator turns into Bubbles

We received this incredible thank-you story which demonstrates how CMA is #MovingLivesForward in so many ways!

The mission of the Winchester SPCA is to strengthen the human-animal bond and safeguard animals in transition. We have received the designation of being a no kill facility since 2012. Each year, we rededicate ourselves to that commitment and are currently operating at a 99% save rate. As the only no-kill animal sheltering facility in the area, we also support the mission of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies and their goal of Virginia becoming a no-kill state.

In late 2017, the Winchester SPCA started a TransFUR program to meet the needs of pet adopters in our community. We have a phenomenal adoption base and would often ‘run out’ of adoptable dogs. At the same time, shelters across Virginia were full of dogs and were being forced to euthanize due to space limitations. This made no sense. We reached out to shelters across The Commonwealth who were at capacity to save the lives of adoptable dogs throughout Virginia. To date, the Winchester SPCA Trans-Fur project has saved the lives of over 500 canines who would have been euthanized due to space.

One of those lucky dogs was featured at this year’s Subaru Loves Pets adoption event at CMA’s Subaru of Winchester. Gladiator came to the Winchester SPCA from an overrun shelter in southern Virginia. As a big, brawny, 80 pound, pit mix, he lived up to his name. Staff soon learned that in addition to being big and strong, Gladiator was a big goofball. He’d often make silly faces that didn’t seem possible for a dog, and he’d loved to play. He would play with anything that was around, a blanket, his bowl. He loved attention and we loved giving it to him. We took the big lug to the Subaru event in October 2021. He barely fit into our largest crate, He kept us busy throughout the day as he pulled his crate cover into his kennel and enjoyed an ongoing game of tugging the blanket. Twice he managed to undo the crate latch, let himself out, and go greet the other dogs. Gladiator was hard to miss but easy to overlook because of his size, strength, and breed. As animal care givers, we understand the perceptions and concerns. But at last, Gladiator was adopted.

Gladiator’s new mom has kept in touch and sent us this; ”Just wanted to give a little update on Gladiator!! I renamed him and his name now is Bubbles. He’s been doing so well, such a smart little man. The first night I brought him home I was saying different tricks to see if he knew any of them and he can sit, give paw, lay down, spin, and roll over which was very shocking to me seeing my big boy roll!!! He is already spoiled rotten. He loves people and wants to play with everyone that comes and visits…he was exactly what I was missing and now my home is complete!”

We’d say that’s about as good as it gets. A pit mix named Gladiator is now known as Bubbles and sports reindeer antlers for his momma. Once slated for euthanasia, now someone’s constant companion and the dog that completed their home.

Thank you, CMA’s Subaru of Winchester, for giving shelter dogs an opportunity for a second chance and for turning Gladiators into Bubbles.