Recycled Love Vice President Karen Reese said that she was heartened because experts at first had recommended that many of the Vick dogs be euthanized, a decision later overturned by other animal behaviorists.
In Maryland, Lili was so skittish that Stirling spent days trying to persuade the dog to go on a walk. But now the strolls outside are the brightest part of her days, Stirling said.
Though they have two children younger than age 4, Stirling and her husband, Davor Mrkoci, said they had no qualms about taking in Daisy and Lili after meeting them in a Washington shelter.
Stirling said her love of dogs started during childhood, when her German shepherd, Malebo, would walk with her to school and then walk himself back home.
She has been taking in dogs with problematic histories for more than 10 years.
Stirling said the family did not give Daisy and Lili the run of the house.
The pit bulls, she said, are kept in a finished basement in the home with ample time for play in the family's backyard and two long walks a day in the neighborhood. The family has two other dogs, including a blind cocker spaniel.
The sight of Stirling or her husband walking two pit bulls has already attracted some attention.
"Some people see us and cross the street," Stirling said. "But others come right up and ask about them. I mean, look at them. They're so sweet and so beautiful. They wouldn't harm anyone."
matthew.dolan@baltsun.com
