 Her Foster writes---"Oh my goodness, what can I say about our beautiful girl? Maggie came into our lives on March 17, 2021. As lifelong owners of Boxers we were anxious on how the high energy Boxer vs the lower energy Mastiff would interact and co-habitate. Needless to say, after a months time they have become best friends! If there were a check box of all the great attributes that Mastiffs are renown for, Maggie checks every box; Gentle giants, super sweet, loyal, loving, smart and more. While we never thought any breed could rival our Boxers, Maggie has opened our eyes (and hearts) to this magnificent breed! With deep appreciation to Pam for her tireless efforts for these great dogs! David & Dixie
 MRF has the best Volunteers and sometimes when we send them to pick up a mastiff , we know that mastiff is going to it’s forever home. The dog’s tell us! “Our first Mastiff (mixed with German Shepherd), Hank, came to us in 2011. He had come to us as a rescued dog (found in Brevard county extremely malnourished & heartworm positive), but he had so much personality (and challenges, of course). When we lost him last October, we were heartbroken and at the time we didn't think we'd want another dog. Of course, after a few weeks, we just really felt like someone was missing from our family. I began looking at different shelters and rescue groups, and it was the larger dogs, particularly Mastiffs, that kept grabbing at my heart. I found the Mastiff Rescue of Florida website in December and filled out the application. With 3 cats in our house, I assumed that we might be waiting for several months for the right dog, which was fine because we still were not sure we were ready for another dog. Pam reached out to us in January, they were picking up a 2-year-old female the next day in St Pete. Arlee, now Marley, had lived in a home with a cat before, and Pam remembered that we specifically needed a cat-friendly dog for our home. Also, we were heading across the state that weekend, and Pam asked if we would be able to go through St Pete and pick up Marley and bring her home to foster her. So, it looked like whether we were ready or not, our newest family member needed us. We brought her home that Sunday, and after half an hour of trying to coax her out of the car, we finally just had to carry her in the house. Within the first couple of hours, all three cats ventured out to meet her. In no time at all, she has really just fit right in. Mastiff Rescue of Florida did an amazing job at matching just the right dog with our family. Pam was very upfront with all the info that they had on Marley, and Kathy (the MRF volunteer that picked up Marley) got her to the vet for her rabies shot and health eval. She loves to play in the yard (she is a master at collecting the frisbees) and we are working on her leash manners - she is making great progress. Marley is the sweetest girl and we are so lucky that she found us. It didn't take us very long at all to know that we were going to fail at fostering Marley, and that we wanted to make her ours. February 23 is the day I signed the papers, 30 days after we brought her to our home.” Wendi Malone
 Towards the end of January 2021, MRF took in Quinn, her family did not have the time to give her and asked MRF to find a wonderful home… You Know we are all for the dogs and a great home we found! January 24,2021.. “We have had an amazing first five days with Quinn. She had an obvious desire to bond and be bonded with from the moment she arrived, and we've been more than happy to oblige. I anticipated this transition being at least somewhat stressful for her and was prepared to help her through it but she is truly just great. She is really a loving, well adjusted, puppy like pleasure to share our home with and we already love her to pieces..” “We are so thrilled to announce that we are officially foster failures! Quinn aka Freyja is now a permanent member of our family, though we knew she would be from the moment we met this nervous girl in our front yard. As happy as we are about this, I don't think we can match her new brother Odin's excitement. These two spar and play like children as soon as they hit the back yard. I miss my grass in the back yard, but they're happy and that makes me happy!” Heather
 Hi! My name is Buddy and I"m a five year old mix of mastiff and who knows what else. My previous owner loved me, but didn't have the means or space to take care of me. I am in a few family now. They took me to the vet and found out I had heartworm and had no thyroid hormone. I was very over weight and was so sleepy I slept more than the elderly mastiffs in my new home. I couldn't run or jump, I barely lifted my head up when my name was called. I also had very red gooey eyes that itched. I felt awful. After my foster family started me on thyroid medications and the rescue sent them heartworm medications, I am a new dog. I actually run when I am excited now. I have started going upstairs in the last week, and its a whole new world up there. I love walks, and I still love my naps. I lost 20 pounds already, my fur is softer, and I have learned some new tricks and play fetch. I get along well with my older mastiff brothers. I just recently went camping with my new family and it was a great adventure. I sniffed so many scents and slept in the kids beds. I went for car rides and lots of walks. Now that I am home, I will sleep for 2 days but it was a fun adventure. My eyes are still red and gooey at times despite lots of different things the vet has recommended, so I'm going to see the doggy eye doctor on April 1. My foster family loves me so much that they are going to keep me. They said I"m a "foster fail". Thank you to Mastiff Rescue of Florida for helping me to feel better and for finding me a family that loves me. His foster Mom Deb said--"We are definitely keeping him, so send us the paper work!" His Foster Mom picked him up from the owner that had to surrender, took him to the vet and and has given him so much love...MRF just loves when this happens.
 Tripper is about 2 years old, spayed, up to date on vaccines and Heartworm negative. She is fawn and a Pocket Mastiff weighing about 80lbs. Tripper has not had a great home life, very little training..and possibly was bred. She is with a wonderful foster learning how to trust humans and to have fun. Tripper is very sweet just scared. Time and patience will bring her around.
 Update- Albert has learned to trust in his Foster home but is challenged in trusting those he does not know. For that reason , he will be staying in his foster home. Albert is 6 years old, fawn was found living in a warehouse with his owner. The Mother of the gal was the original owner and she had died. Albert is housebroken, knows, sit, down and give paw.. walks good on a leash…he has known kindness. He has just been neutered up to date on vaccines and he is heartworm positive..MRF has started the slow-kill method. He is about 156lbs. Albert is very unsure of his life and surroundings. He will take PATIENCE and time. He is getting used to men and loves Jim walking him and Lance cutting chicken for the dogs. Treats are wonderful and Albert will sit and give paw!. He just started today.. to wag his tail.. JUST A TINY BIT! Baby steps. We have No idea if he likes kids or cats..Albert has to learn the life with love, kindness and stability - he began his life with is back…..who knows how long and where he was living after the original owner died. He is living in my garage till he chills and decompresses- he was in the shelter( in a kennel), which he hated.. since November 3rd. We have kept the door open so he started coming in my house and seeing all the dogs ..Separated by gates and had no reaction. Hopefully in the next few weeks, we will have him in with all the other dogs . Albert is just learning to trust “again”. He is a beautiful mastiff…and will continue to know kindness!
 i, my name is Gus, AKA Gusgus, AKA Big Smush. I am a 3-year-old fawn English Mastiff neutered boy. My owner surrendered me because he could no longer care for me properly. I was very sad and scared when I first went to live with my foster family, but now I'm starting to feel more comfortable. I like my kennel and go in it on my own sometimes to feel safe. I love having beds and steal my foster sister’s bed everything I get a chance, even though I have the same one. Hers just smells better. I'm really good at sitting calmly while my food is being prepared and staying out of the kitchen. I'm learning about new things like ice and treats and even ice cream. I don't steal my foster family's food and am pretty well mannered, though still learning. I'm not so sure about toys or balls but love to wrestle with my foster sister and run around the yard with her. I have mastered the stairs and dog door now too. My foster parents are helping me gain weight slowly and I take my medications and vitamins very easily. I'm told I'm very goofy and have a lot of puppy still in me. I'm very friendly and not afraid of people, kids, or dogs of any size that we have met on our regular walks in the neighborhood. My foster family has an 11-year-old girl who i like a lot because she gives me tons of cuddles and love. I gotta go now, there is a stick I need to chew up before my foster mom takes it from me! MRF is so very fortunate to have the fosters that give these dogs boundaries and jobs.. They learn about them! These are rescues and the homes they are in were chosen because we KNEW they would give the rescued mastiff the absolute best attention to find out more.
 Bear (Zoso) has been with us for the last two months. When we brought him home, he was very friendly, but also a little skittish. He was quick to warm up with us and is an absolute joy. He loves to play with his stuffed animals and took over a spare room where he can lay on the bed and watch out the front window. It became apparent that he had very little exposure to the outside world. We enjoy walks and getting him some exercise. As he became more comfortable, he also became more dominant/scared with cars, bikes, and people. By taking baby steps, we are slowly introducing him to the outside world and all it has to offer. Bear is a kind hearted 2 ½ year old, 140 pound, puppy. Each day we spend time training. He is very well mannered and loves tricks for treats. MRF Fosters are the absolute BEST. They have patience and dedication to work with the rescues.. Many of them Foster Fail and adopt their fostered mastiffs. They know it takes time and work to make that perfect companion. MRF is very fortunate and appreciative to have the dedicated volunteers and fosters.
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