Coming Home

I wonder if there are any puppies in the area.

I was sitting on the couch with Bear on Sunday, October 12, 2025, and thought, “I wonder if there are any puppies at the local rescues?” It couldn’t hurt to do a quick little search.

So I searched: puppies for adoption near me. This was the first one that popped up. Ooooh! I resisted for about 3 seconds then clicked deeper. That led me to a rescue just south of me in Fort Myers, FL. The description read: “Hi I’m Merida! I’m an adorable puppy born on 7/7 to my mama Jazmin. Jazmin was found very pregnant dumped as a stray. Thankfully Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue took mama in just in time to deliver me and my 10! littermates in a safe, comfortable place with a wonderful foster. I’m 9 weeks old as of mid-September and my very sweet mama appears to be a black mouth cur/boxer and/or ridgeback mix – just my rescue’s best guess. I received all of the care I needed at the rescue to be happy and healthy and am now ready for my forever home!”

No. I can’t. But… 3 seconds later I’m filling out an application for adoption. The site said it can take awhile to get back to me on my application so please be patient.

So I patiently waited until 9:01 am the next morning and called and called until I got a real person. They said they would review my application and get back to me if they had any questions. So I waited. Looked at the Rescue Me! photo about 2 or 3 dozen more times and waited. At 7 pm Monday night I got a voice mail asking if I would like to set up an appointment to meet the dogs. At 7:01 pm I returned the call. They had an appointment at noon the following day. Perfect. I can wait until tomorrow.

I showed up a half hour early.

meet the pups

Five females from the litter were available, and they asked if I had anyone in particular in mind. “Yes, the one with the white patch on her nose.” Then they took me to the meet-and-greet area and said they would bring her out.

I wish I lived on a ranch because I would have taken them all home. And though one of her sisters had the traditional black muzzle of the black mouth cur, it was tough to resist the white patch that originally caught my eye. That’s the one. So after seeing her picture Sunday night, filling out an application Monday morning, and meeting her Tuesday afternoon, we were going home.

THE BREED

What made this even more of a you-gotta-be-f’n-kidding-me moment, I had been interested in the Black Mouth Cur for quite a while — ever since I met my first one about 10 years ago. So when this pup popped up out of the blue, of all of the breeds in the world, I couldn’t resist. And before the AKC-Police come banging, I know this is not a purebred — which makes her even better. But mom looked very much like a Black Mouth Cur.

Dad (deadbeat skipped out on his baby momma) added a little flavor to the mix. Maybe a little Boxer and possibly some Ridgeback.

The Black Mouth Cur is a loyal, intelligent, and energetic breed that makes a devoted companion for active families. Originally bred as a working dog in the southern United States, this breed has a strong sense of purpose and thrives when given plenty of exercise and attention. They’re known for their courage and confidence, yet they also have a deeply affectionate side, forming close bonds with their human families.

With the right training and socialization, Black Mouth Curs are excellent with children and protective without being aggressive. Their gentle nature around family members contrasts with their alertness toward strangers, making them both loving playmates and reliable watchdogs. They tend to get along well with other dogs, especially when raised together, though their strong prey drive means supervision is wise around smaller pets.

Because of their high energy and intelligence, the Black Mouth Cur needs regular physical activity and mental stimulation to stay happy and well-behaved. Long walks, hikes, or play sessions in a fenced yard help keep them content. Families who enjoy outdoor adventures and can provide structure will find this breed to be a loyal, loving, and hardworking member of the household.