Any dog who can pretend to snore while keeping one eye open on the sly is a keeper for sure! And as far as her new family is concerned—not to mention the entire neighborhood—Scarlet the pit bull is more than just a keeper. She’s an inspiration.

Wes and Melissia McBride of Rolla, Missouri, were on the Best Friends website hoping to find a dog to adopt. At first, they thought perhaps one of the Vicktory dogs, but most of them are still not ready for homes. When they contacted Best Friends, the adoption staffers pointed them toward Scarlet on Adorable Adoptables. Melissia says that one look at Scarlet’s picture was all it took—oh, and it didn’t hurt one bit that Scarlet’s description said she is a snuggler! It was time to come out and meet her.

If they had any doubts whatsoever, they were laid to rest the moment they laid eyes on Scarlet. To set the scene, Scarlet came riding up in a golf cart for that first “meet and greet.” As soon as she saw them, Scarlet ran over and jumped up to pass out some slobbery kisses! It was love at first sight both ways.

And it has been love at first sight ever since. Back home, Scarlet and the four kids in the family (ages seven through fourteen) are inseparable. She knows when their school bus arrives and everything. When the kids get home, Scarlet is there, ready to say hello. All the other school kids love her, too, as does the rest of the neighborhood and every customer who sets foot in the store where Wes and Melissia work.

You see, they bring Scarlet to work, where she feels obligated to greet every single stranger as though the person was a favorite aunt or uncle. You can’t help but love this girl! "She’s a real spokesman for her breed," says Melissia. People who used to have negative feelings about pitties are changing their minds after a few minutes with Scarlet.

Scarlet came to Best Friends years ago as a survivor from Hurricane Katrina. Only a youngster back then, Scarlet has been biding her time, waiting for the perfect home. Looks like she finally found it! Congrats, Scarlet. You deserve to have an entire town fall in love with you.

Story by David Dickson
Photos courtesy of the Mc Bride family

Love pit bulls like Scarlet? Check out “Pit Bulls: The real story” community on the Best Friends Network.

April 9, 2009 : 10:21 AM ET
posted by: jbandk9s

BEAUTIFUL dog, beuatiful family, beautiful story. So happy that sweet Scarlett found such a wonderful life with the McBrides. Keep spreading the good word about pitties, Scarlett, and enjoy all that love!

April 6, 2009 : 5:24 PM ET
posted by: KtOSh

McBrides, sorry for making about me for a second. Congrats on a truly beautiful dog. Best of luck in the future.

April 6, 2009 : 5:23 PM ET
posted by: KtOSh

Thank you for that Cathy. That is the exact point I was trying to make.

April 6, 2009 : 5:02 PM ET
posted by: cathyburk

Kt0sh - you are getting bullied because that is the way this person or these people operate. They claim to support BF, but rarely have I seen them post a positive comment. Just blow them off and don't respond to their comments. That's what they live for and I will not give them that satisfaction. I can only think that if it were not for BF where would the Vicktory dogs be? Dead. The same goes for all the animals at the sanctuary. BF may have some problems, but don't most organizations? Without them, how many of the animals at BF would still be around?

Ignore them. That will get to them faster than anything as they won't be able to 'vent' amongst themselves.

April 6, 2009 : 3:33 PM ET
posted by: KtOSh

Ladies and Gentlemen: Please check out “Cherry’s next battle” comments. I feel like I am getting a bit bullied. All I want to do is share how BF has helped me, but some people only want to share the bad.

April 6, 2009 : 1:58 PM ET
posted by: m4rci4

To the McBrides:

Congrats on the newest addition to your family! I wish you many big pittie smiles and happy times to come!

April 6, 2009 : 1:55 PM ET
posted by: m4rci4

To ahughes798:

Yes everyone has a right to their opinion (whether that opinion is formed from knowledge or lack thereof, ignorance or otherwise...). However, was it really necessary for you to take a wonderful, happy rescue story and turn it into a controversial forum by adding your I-know-of-a-pit-bull-who-mauled-a-child story??? What is your deal??? Do you browse through the Best Friends stories and forums just waiting for the chance to throw in your story about another "bad" pit bull??? So what if you don't like pitties, you don't need to ruin other peoples' joy of the breed. I suppose you think the time, efforts and finances utilized by Best Friends to rehabilitate the Vicktory Dogs were a waste because those dogs were pit bulls, hmmm?

April 5, 2009 : 9:32 PM ET
posted by: fredbear

This story made my night. I too adopted a Hurricane Katrina Survivor who lived over a year in a Vet's Office in VA but never got adopted. She is the most beautiful Black Chow and every single day I am grateful that she waited for us to come find her. Scarlet must have waited for you too. It is families like yours that give me back hope when I read one too many animal abuse story.

April 4, 2009 : 1:42 PM ET
posted by: luvthosedogs

ahughes - how many AmStaffs have you actually lived with? Try considering the many comments from people who actually have this breed living in their homes with them. My friend's Weimeraner killed her cat, but that's OK, because he's not a Pit, I suppose? It's called a prey instinct, it's common among any type of breed. You're a narrow minded moron, quite frankly and I'd be glad to tell you that to your face if ever given the chance. An education would do you well and try sticking to stories you have common interests in. The rest of us will continue to celebrate a heart warming story instead with best wishes to sweet Scarlet and her new family.

April 4, 2009 : 12:38 PM ET
posted by: exfriender7

Yes, there are some dogs that are completely unmanageable, as is true of some people. Yes, the particular breed does influence this with tendencies towards certain behaviours. Yes, with any breed the very early experiences cause certain inprinting that may remain with them their entire life.

But, given all that, the vast majority of issues that we've seen with dogs are due to the lack of understanding of the people. Even many people who are well wishing may give up in frustration simply because they have not taken the time and effort to learn about the dog and how to work with him. They may have had other dogs before with no problems, but each dog is different, just like people.

We knew Scarlet and could have predicted just what they wrote about her. A real bundle of energy who loves people and attention. If anything, we feel Scarlet is a far more typical "pittie" then all those you hear about in the news. Very friendly, loyal and eager to learn. We were very glad to hear she's found a good home.

April 4, 2009 : 11:39 AM ET
posted by: melissia

to tara in north carolina: anytime you want to come see scarlett you are more than welcome, or i can send you pics if you want email me at melissia@embarqmail.com. I understand, once you meet scarlett she leaves a forever imprint on your heart.

April 4, 2009 : 11:12 AM ET
posted by: marcigsd

What a wonderful story. A lucky dog, and a lucky family. I wish more of these stories made the news. Sure, pit bulls can be dangerous in the wrong hands - the wrong HUMAN hands. i'm so tired of seeing the entire breed villified...As to the comment from ahughes798, well, my dog- who is a German Shepherd - has an extremely high prey drive, and if given access to chickens and other small animals, would probably maul and kill them all. But he is my good boy! The neighbors put their adopted dog in a situation in which many dogs would do the same thing. But i'm not going to say anything more to acknowledge that comment. All the best to sweet Scarlet and her family! :)