If you believe the stereotypes, then pit bulls are vicious and aggressive dogs used mainly in dogfighting. Unfortunately, many pit bulls are feared because of these labels and many have been euthanized before they even had a chance at life.

One pit bull, named Mocha, is putting these stereotypes to rest and has found a new life in a loving home, but this almost didn’t happen.

Mocha is abandoned and brought to the shelter

When Mocha first arrived at the Rowan County Animal Shelter in Salisbury, North Carolina, she was given until November 1 to find a new home. After that, plans were to have her euthanized. And while she was relatively young at only one year old, she had the stigma of her breed to contend with when trying to get adopted.

Mocha was so scared that she would shake

Mocha and another dog were neglected and abandoned by their former owner. Covered in fleas, she also had trust issues and was so scared that she couldn’t stop trembling. Of course, this discouraged anyone from adopting her. Albina Albiie Chanel, a volunteer at the shelter, was determined not to give up on her.

“You know, every day we deal with cruelty and evil done by humans. This sweet girl broke my heart — owner surrender at that. She is a skeleton, covered in fleas, she shakes constantly and doesn’t even want to get up to walk. Talk about a broken soul. Some days I hate humans so much. Hang in there, Mocha baby. She’s seen so much evil in just her 1 year of life,” Albina wrote on her Facebook page.

Coming up with a way to save Mocha

As Albina tried to think of a way to save Mocha, she came up with an idea. She decided to write a letter in Mocha’s name and post it to the shelter’s Facebook page.

“Dear humans,

“As I sit here on death row totally defeated, I hope my puppies will at least have a better life than I did. I sit here, I am so scared just waiting to be euthanized. You see, I am only a year old. I haven’t had a good life at all.

“I shake so much in my kennel that people just walk past me. I can’t help it though; humans haven’t been nice to me. I am so skinny but I love to eat. I tried to be brave for my pictures today, but I couldn’t even really get up. I tried though, and I think the girls that were with me knew I was trying. I got brave enough to even take a treat later.

“I was surrendered to the shelter by my owner with my friend. Please consider adopting me and giving me a chance at a good life. But please know I may take a while to warm up because I’m just so scared. You can find me in kennel #5.

“Love, Mocha.”

Mocha is adopted

The idea worked as the letter went viral, getting out the word on Mocha’s situation. Soon, someone offered to adopt Mocha and her life was saved. Albina was inspired to write another letter in response, this time from her to Mocha.

“Dear Mocha,

“I sat with you and wrote a letter for the whole world to see. And they did. Happy 2nd chance sweet girl. May you finally be loved and taken care of forever.

“Best wishes my darling. “I love you and will remember you always.”

The Rowan County Animal Shelter

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Located in Salisbury, North Carolina, the Rowan County Animal Shelter has made it its mission to protect the health and welfare of the animals living in the area. The shelter’s ultimate goal is to find loving homes for all of the animals that come through its doors. For more on how you can adopt from or donate to the Rowan County Animal Shelter, visit its Facebook page.

Unfortunately, many dogs are not as lucky as Mocha in finding a loving home. Many either sit unadopted in shelters or have to be euthanized to make room for more unwanted animals. That is why it is important to adopt from a shelter or rescue as opposed to buying an animal from a store. This gives these unwanted animals a loving home.

H/T: We Love Animals, PawBuzz