Actually, I didn't know Tyson very well at all. But his story really touched me and I thought the little fella' deserved a memorial because he's the kind of dog who might easily be forgotten and I didn't want that.
I rescued my dog, Sydney, from the RSPCA in Swansea and on the website where I found Sydney, there was another dog, Tyson, also needing a home. I loved his picture - this lovely, smiling face and I thought about that picture all the time. I was told that he had been at the centre for over a year and my heart went out to him. Sadly, I was also desperate to rescue Syd, who had also been there for a long time and because Tyson was agressive towards other dogs - I couldn't take Tyson and Sydney (my partner wouldn't have let me have two dogs anyway).
I was told by Mary, the lovely lady who helped me to rescue Sydney, that Tyson was a really lovely chap - everyone was fond of him because he was great with people, but his problem with other dogs kept him at the rescue centre.
Eventually he was rescued by a wonderful, kind, family - who were very fond of him but he slipped his lead when he was on a walk with them and attacked another dog - the other dog needed stitches and the family were so traumatised by the fight that they took him back to the RSPCA, thinking that he might be better with someone who knew how to work with his dog agression. Sadly for Tyson, despite staff pleas on his behalf, it was decided by the RSPCA that he wouldn't be able to be rehomed again and he was put to sleep a short time ago. I had just found out about a staffie rescue centre and I had emailed Mary to tell her about them thinking perhaps they could help Tyson, but I was too late.
I often used to email and ask about him, so I was so very sad to hear about what had become of him and I felt that I had to give the fella a memorial to give all the people who were rooting for him a chance to say a few words for him.
I will end by saying this: Nothing demonstrates better than this story how much rescue dogs need you. Please, please, if you can help dogs with problems like Tyson had, do support your local rescue centres - if you are a behaviourist, perhaps consider donating a bit of time to working with some of the animals with problems. Or perhaps you could foster them and work with them until they mentally ready for new homes. They really do need expert help to find happy homes. Rescue centres like the RSPCA are so underfunded and rely so much on volunteers that they can't rescue other dogs who need help while dogs needing experts like Tyson are with them, not being adopted.
Poor dog, I really wish I'd been able to help him. Lots of lovely people did try, I know they did.
Hope you are happy now little chap.
xxxxxT