Epitome Dog Rescue

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Epitome Dog Rescue We are an all volunteer, 501(c)3 status, not-for-profit bull breeds rescue. They should never live on the end of a chain or in a kennel outdoors.

Our rescue dogs are only adopted out as indoor dogs who will be a part of their family. ePITome dogs are all spayed or neutered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccinations before the adoption is complete. They are all healthy and well-adjusted dogs to the best of our knowledge. We would never purposely adopt out a dog that could not be a positive member of their new family. However, the responsibility for the dog's sound behavior becomes the adopter's once they welcome the dog into their home. Obedience training, routines, consistency, strong leadership, and lots of love are key components that should be provided by the humans in the home.

BREED SPOTLIGHT AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER!From the AKC standards -About the BreedThe American Staffordshire Terrier...
10/12/2026

BREED SPOTLIGHT AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER!

From the AKC standards -

About the Breed
The American Staffordshire Terrier, known to their fans as AmStaffs, are smart, confident, good-natured companions. Their courage is proverbial. A well-socialized AmStaff is a loyal, trustworthy friend to the end. AmStaffs are stocky, muscular bull-type terriers standing 17 to 19 inches at the shoulder. The head is broad, the jaws well defined, the cheekbones pronounced, and the dark, round eyes are set wide apart. AmStaff movement is agile and graceful, with a springy gait that advertises the breed's innate confidence. The stiff, glossy coat comes in many colors and patterns. AmStaffers describe their dogs as keenly aware of their surroundings, game for anything, and lovable 'personality dogs'� around the house. AmStaffs like mental and physical challenges. They are highly trainable.

Height
18-19 inches (male)
17-18 inches (female)
Weight
55-70 pounds (male)
40-55 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy
12-16 years

From Orvis:

HISTORY
The ancestors of the stocky American Staffordshire Terrier—likely descended from the Bulldog and terrier-type dogs—were first used to help butchers manage bulls and as hunters, ratters, and guard dogs. The use of this type of dog in blood sports—bear and bull baiting and dog fighting—earned them a negative reputation. The cruel sports were banned, and the development of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier moved toward that of a courageous, loyal dog meant to live alongside people as a companion. When the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was exported to America, the American type was developed to be larger than the English type. Eventually, the larger American version earned its own recognition as the American Staffordshire Terrier. The American Kennel Club recognized the American Staffordshire Terrier as a breed in 1936.

Photo courtesy AKC.

Our spotlight series is meant to introduce the various breeds which fall under the "Bully" category. We are in no way promoting breeding or acquiring your dog from a breeder. Epitome Dog Rescue, Macomb, IL

She was a little slice of Heaven even as a baby....and she is still waiting for her happily-ever-after...If I had only k...
10/09/2026

She was a little slice of Heaven even as a baby....and she is still waiting for her happily-ever-after...

If I had only known back then the life Heaven was headed for, I would have made a very different decision. I failed her. For the last year, I have done my best to make it up to Heaven, but I am still failing and I do not know what else to do. Heaven lived here for a short time in a loving foster home after we rescued her at 4 months old. She was being given away of Facebook by some parents who got "stuck" with her when their kid left for college.

We scooped her up, fostered her, and adopted her to someone in Florida. All the due diligence was completed. Everything looked good, so she went. She was abandoned before she ever got to Florida....

The nice people who had Heaven wanted to keep her, so we arranged for them to do so. Then, they failed her too. Refusing to fail her once again, I found a way to get her back to us. It took a lot of work, but she made it back thanks to some awesome helpers and transporters.

We successfully had her treated for heartworms. She is negative and on prevention. She is great with every boy dog she's met. She has been very appropriate with kiddos. She is super smart and eager to please. She is treat driven when training, and I have done several training sessions with Heaven. Her foster has worked with her on training and self-control. She is an amazing dog.

Please share Heaven far and wide on every social media platform and page in which you think sharing her post is appropriate. Please arrange to meet Heaven if you are interested in her at all. She will not disappoint. We need to move Heaven and Earth to find her the perfect fit forever home!! We know you are out there somewhere.

Epitome Dog Rescue, Macomb, IL

*****Our fundraising goal for Suki's medical care has been met!!! To everyone who donated, you have our deepest apprecia...
10/08/2026

*****Our fundraising goal for Suki's medical care has been met!!! To everyone who donated, you have our deepest appreciation!! You helped save Suki's life!*****

Pupdate on Suki.

She was discharged from the hospital last night! We are so very thankful for all the expert medical care she received. Suki is doing okay. She is still in pain, has swelling, and lost some weight. She is on medication for pain management and antibiotics. Suki is eating well, too, and really, really happy to be back home.

Epitome Nation - This is Suki. She has been in a foster-to-adopt home for a few weeks and everything has been going gre...
10/06/2026

Epitome Nation - This is Suki. She has been in a foster-to-adopt home for a few weeks and everything has been going great until yesterday. Suki met with a bad accident and had to be rushed to an emergency vet for life-saving care. Suki has been fighting for her life since. Today, the prognosis looks as though she will make it, thank goodness, and thanks to the care given by Laketown Clinic and Animal Emergency Clinic of Springfield.

The life-saving care she is receiving is very expensive, as you can imagine, but we absolutely would not say no to saving Suki's life!! She deserves the best we can provide. We are asking for assistance in covering the costs which amount to at least $2,200 at this point. The costs may increase depending on what happens today. If you can spare any money at all to help us pay for Suki's emergency treatment, please make donations to either Venmo to -DOGRESCUE or Paypal to . THANK YOU.

***Please note, we are a very small, grassroots rescue; and we have our 501(c)3 status which means your donation is tax deductible.****

BREED SPOTLIGHT AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER!!From the UKC Standards -CharacteristicsThe essential characteristics of the A...
10/05/2026

BREED SPOTLIGHT AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER!!

From the UKC Standards -

Characteristics

The essential characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier are strength, confidence, and zest for life. This breed is eager to please and brimming over with enthusiasm. APBTs make excellent family companions and have always been noted for their love of children. The breed's natural agility makes it one of the most capable canine climbers so good fencing is a must for this breed. The APBT is not the best choice for a guard dog since they are extremely friendly, even with strangers. Aggressive behavior toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and highly undesirable. This breed does very well in performance events because of its high level of intelligence and its willingness to work.

History

Sometime during the nineteenth century, dog fanciers in England, Ireland and Scotland began to experiment with crosses between Bulldogs and Terriers, looking for a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the Bulldog. The result was a dog that embodied all of the virtues attributed to great warriors: strength, indomitable courage, and gentleness with loved ones. Immigrants brought these bull-and-terrier crosses to the United States. The American Pit Bull Terriers many talents did not go unnoticed by farmers and ranchers who used their APBTs as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions. Today, the American Pit Bull Terrier continues to demonstrate its versatility, competing successfully in Obedience, Rally Obedience, Tracking, Agility, Lure Coursing, Dock Jumping and Weight Pulls, as well as Conformation.

Height and Weight

The American Pit Bull Terrier must be both powerful and agile; overall balance and the correct proportion of weight to height, therefore, is far more important than the dogs actual weight and/or height.
Desirable weight for a mature male in good condition is between 35 and 60 pounds. Desirable weight for a mature female in good condition is between 30 and 50 pounds.

On a personal note, I was blessed to share 10 years of my life with a purebred, APBT, my Celena. She is one of the best dogs I have ever known. She was my phenomenal princess, my rescue sidekick, and my grandkids were actually HER kids. Leni loved them dearly. She loved my other dogs, all males, but was not a fan of me fostering adult female bully breed dogs. Leni is part of the reason we caution against adopting female pitties into homes with other female pitties. Other than that, I could not have asked for a better dog...all 45 lbs. of her royal self. ~Angie

Our spotlight series is meant to introduce the various breeds which fall under the "Bully" category. We are in no way promoting breeding or acquiring your dog from a breeder. Epitome Dog Rescue, Macomb, IL

Adoptable Stevie is waiting for her forever family! Stevie is 3 months old, quiet, extremely sweet, great with kids/cat...
10/02/2026

Adoptable Stevie is waiting for her forever family! Stevie is 3 months old, quiet, extremely sweet, great with kids/cats/rabbits/adults/other dogs. She also has the cutest head tilt when she hears something interesting. :) We guess Stevie is a Boxer/AmStaff mix. She is low key snuggly and easy going. Let us know if you would like to meet this sweetheart. Private message us for adoption information. Adoption fee = $275 and includes spay/microchip, 3 puppy DAPPv vaccines (already in process), deworming (already in process) and all the puppy love you can handle.

Epitome Dog Rescue, Macomb, IL

Who's looking for a new friend?! Check out this handsome guy, Hank! 💚🐾Please share this post, so Hank's forever family c...
10/01/2026

Who's looking for a new friend?! Check out this handsome guy, Hank! 💚🐾

Please share this post, so Hank's forever family can find him. We know they are out there, somewhere!

Hank (fka Bacon) is a 2-year-old American bully mix full of life and young energy with plenty of love to share. He is potty and crate trained, and a marathon chewer of tough toys and other appropriate items, while also being very treat motivated for his person to work with him on obedience and training. He is tolerant with baths with a licky mat and peanut butter, but he really enjoys a good romp in the water with the hose.

When his energy runs out, he is a lover who wants to hang out and snuggle with you. You can put on a movie or pull out a book and he will snuggle up to his person to show you how lucky he is to have you.

His best fit family would be able to enrich his life with activities (hikes anyone?), have a yard for him to be able to run in (he loves a good game of fetch!), and a place he can splish-splash in the warmer months. Children are also great, but due to his size, strength, and spatial UNawareness, he is probably a bit much for the littles and would do better with some older kiddos. Due to an incident in his previous home, we do not want to place Hank in a home with other dogs for his peace of mind.

Let us know if you may be interested in adopting Hank, or have any questions. 💚💚

Epitome Dog Rescue, Macomb, IL

She was a little slice of Heaven even as a baby....If I had only known back then the life Heaven was headed for, I would...
09/30/2026

She was a little slice of Heaven even as a baby....

If I had only known back then the life Heaven was headed for, I would have made a very different decision. I failed her. For the last year, I have done my best to make it up to Heaven, but I am still failing and I do not know what else to do. Heaven lived here for a short time in a loving foster home after we rescued her at 4 months old. She was being given away of Facebook by some parents who got "stuck" with her when their kid left for college.

We scooped her up, fostered her, and adopted her to someone in Florida. All the due diligence was completed. Everything looked good, so she went. She was abandoned before she ever got to Florida....

The nice people who had Heaven wanted to keep her, so we arranged for them to do so. Then, they failed her too. Refusing to fail her once again, I found a way to get her back to us. It took a lot of work, but she made it back thanks to some awesome helpers and transporters.

We successfully had her treated for heartworms. She is negative and on prevention. She is great with every boy dog she's met. She has been very appropriate with kiddos. She is super smart and eager to please. She is treat driven when training, and I have done several training sessions with Heaven. Her foster has worked with her on training and self-control. She is an amazing dog.

Please share Heaven far and wide on every social media platform and page in which you think sharing her post is appropriate. Please arrange to meet Heaven if you are interested in her at all. She will not disappoint. We need to move Heaven and Earth to find her the perfect fit forever home!! We know you are out there somewhere.

Epitome Dog Rescue, Macomb, IL

We have rescued several Boxers over the years, and even more Boxer mixes. They are great, goofy companions. As always,...
09/28/2026

We have rescued several Boxers over the years, and even more Boxer mixes. They are great, goofy companions. As always, we do our best to ensure the dogs are behaviorally sound before bringing them into our rescue.

BREED SPOTLIGHT BOXERS

From the UKC Standards -

Characteristics

A breed of completely trustworthy character, the Boxer is energetic, agreeable, self confident and fearless. He is devoted and loyal to his family and a studied watchdog and defender.

History

The Bulldog is an ancestor of the Boxer; various terriers were also part of its make-up, which gives the breed its speed, agility and more graceful body. The term boxer is British, but the most recent home country for the breed is Germany. Boxer seems appropriate since it has a mannerism of using its front legs in combat, much as a man would in fighting.

The breed was virtually ignored until World War II, when it was brought into use as a military or police dog. This helped to insure instant popularity with returning servicemen, and the breed became in demand in the United States.

Height

Males: 22 to 25 inches. Females: 21 to 23 inches.

Our spotlight series is meant to introduce the various breeds which fall under the "Bully" category. We are in no way promoting breeding or acquiring your dog from a breeder. Epitome Dog Rescue, Macomb, IL

09/28/2026

Heaven got a training session today. She is sooooo amazing! The first video is how things started, and the second (in the comments) is how we ended. We worked on place, sit, stay, and come. This is great progress for a dog who is in a facility with multiple others dogs. Can you image the progress she could make in a quieter, calmer setting??

Address

Macomb, IL
61455

Telephone

(309) 331-4456

Website

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