Meet Meatball, affectionately known as Meaty, a delightful pit bull mix who has discovered the true meaning of happiness with his adoring family in California. He has even gained a significant following on Instagram, boasting nearly 160k dedicated followers.
However, Meaty’s life wasn’t always filled with such joy. Prior to finding his forever home and achieving internet stardom, Meaty spent his days in a shelter located in the Central Valley.
Fortunately, a compassionate woman named Lisa Reilly stepped in, rescuing him and providing him with a second chance at life.
Lisa came across a photo of Meaty on Fresno Bully Rescue’s Facebook page, a no-kill shelter based in California.
“When I first saw him, he resembled a bowling ball,” described Reilly. “It’s difficult to fully grasp his short stature through pictures alone, but in person, he sits so close to the ground and possesses a robust build. Upon our initial meeting, he would gleefully charge at you, resembling a bowling ball made of dog fat. That’s how he earned the name ‘The Meatball,’ or Meaty for short.”
Meaty instantly captured Lisa’s heart, reminding her of her beloved late dog, Kitty, who had sadly succumbed to a severe illness. Consequently, she made the decision to welcome Meaty into her home, providing him with the love and care he desperately needed.
“Fresno Bully Rescue did a great job nursing Meaty from the first time I saw him until I was able to bring him home,” Reilly told The Dodo.
Since the day Meaty was rescued from the shelter, his infectious smile has never faded. He swiftly formed strong bonds with Lisa’s other rescued pit bulls, Punky and Ricardo Tubbs, as well as the dachshunds, Bitty and Dappe.
“One advantage of having a pleasantly plump dog is his immense motivation for treats,” Reilly explained. “He is equally enthusiastic about toys and thoroughly enjoys playing. So, he willingly ‘works’ for any toy or treat, making it effortless to capture photographs of him.”
