we were on a family camping trip, and noticed a HUGE dog camping next to us. we learned that she was a mastiff/lab/American bulldog mix. we watched this dog endure being climbed on by the family’s autistic twins without batting an eye. she would climb into a little camp chair by the fire to sleep. the lady explained to us, tearfully, that the family was losing their home, and had to give her up. this was her last camping trip with them. she was afraid that someone would adopt her with the intention of teaching her to fight, since she was so big and looked intimidating. without hesitating, I said we would take her. a month later, we met up and candy became a part of our family. she got over her horrendous separation anxiety (we lost countless pairs of shoes and torn bedsheets). she still gets to go camping. she fetches and swims like a madwoman, and is the love of our kids’ lives. she and our 10 lb. havanese are best friends, and she is such a patient and tolerant sister dog. people cross the street to avoid her, but if they would just give her a chance, she would flop over for a belly rub. she is a loving, goofy big girl, and she is our treasure.