Maple Bourbon a.k.a. Chance - American Staffordshire Terrier and Black Labrador Retriever Dog for Adoption in Farmington, Missouri

**MEET MAPLE BOURBON — AKA CHANCE**

Handsome. Trained. Hilariously playful. Deeply devoted. And waiting for someone to give Chance... a chance.

**VISION CAST**

Picture coming home and seeing this handsome face waiting for you.
Maple Bourbon — lovingly known as **Chance**— has soulful eyes, a beautiful maple-brown coat, an adorably bent tail, and a big ol' head that was practically made for kisses.

But wait until he realizes **you're home.**

That's when the serious-looking gentleman disappears and out comes the goofball. His ears loosen up. His whole body starts wiggling. His face lights up with wrinkles and dimples. And suddenly he's racing from toy to toy as though every stuffie, squeaky, ball and tug toy has personally requested his immediate attention.

If dogs could laugh out loud, we're pretty sure Chance would. And we think you'd laugh right along with him.

**HIS STORY**

Chance was found wandering in Livingston, Texas, without anyone to call his own.

We don't know everything that happened before he was found. His scars and bent tail tell us there are chapters of his story we'll probably never know.

What we do know is that somewhere along the way, Chance learned that other dogs might not be safe. Then a wonderful woman found him and decided his past didn't have to determine his future.

She didn't simply get him off the street.

She invested in THREE WEEKS of professional board-and-train to help him learn, gain confidence and succeed.

And Chance has shown us something incredibly important: **He wants to learn.**

He's discovering that not every dog wants to hurt him. With the help of experienced humans and a temporary canine pack, he's learning better dog-to-dog communication and how to approach other dogs appropriately.
He's still a work in progress — and we won't pretend otherwise. But goodness, he's trying.

**WITH PEOPLE? THAT'S WHERE THIS BOY SHINES.**

Chance absolutely adores his humans.

He loves attention and affection, loves hanging out beside his person and is perfectly content simply being near you. Then bring out the toys and prepare yourself.

Stuffies? YES.

Chew toys? Absolutely.

Squeakies? Obviously.

Bouncy balls? Bring 'em on.

Tug toys? LET'S GO!

Watching this big, formerly apprehensive boy completely let his guard down and play with joyful abandon is something special. Underneath that rugged exterior is an enormously silly, affectionate dog who has been waiting for permission to just be happy.

**ADVENTURE BUDDY**

Chance loves car rides and would happily climb aboard for the next adventure.

Because he's become so attached to the humans who make him feel safe, he can worry a little when he thinks he's being left behind. He may cry initially, but he settles in his kennel or safe outdoor space, especially when he has something carrying his person's scent nearby.

It's almost as though he just needs reassurance: "You're coming back for me, right?"

We want his forever person to be the one who teaches him that the answer will always be **yes.**

**SMART, OBSERVANT & EAGER TO PLEASE**

Chance's caregivers describe him as very smart and incredibly observant.
He's making good progress with house training. When he's taken outside regularly or kept on a predictable schedule, he does very well — and he has never had an accident in his kennel.

He's also learning that mistakes aren't the end of the world.

This sensitive boy genuinely wants to get things right and wants very much to please his person.

**WHAT ABOUT OTHER DOGS?**

This is where Chance needs a human willing to continue the good work that's already begun. For much of his life, Chance apparently didn't learn the finer points of polite canine introductions. He's essentially saying: "Wait... you're telling me I DON'T march straight up and sniff another dog's face? I'm supposed to introduce myself differently? WHO MADE THESE RULES?"

He's learning.

He generally walks nicely on leash, although squirrels or another dog can occasionally make him forget his manners for a moment.

He has also been muzzle-trained, which is a wonderful training skill and gives his future family another useful tool for safe, thoughtful introductions when appropriate.

For Chance, we want an adopter who understands that slow introductions, structure and continued training matter.

We're not looking for someone who expects perfection on Day One. We're looking for someone who sees his progress and says: "We'll keep going together."

**CHANCE AT A GLANCE**

Name: Maple Bourbon — aka Chance

Sex: Male

Location: Livingston, Texas

Training: Three weeks of professional board-and-train

Kennel: Settles after some initial protest; no accidents in his kennel

Car rides: LOVES them

Leash: Generally walks nicely; can become excited by dogs or squirrels

Dogs: Learning appropriate canine communication; requires thoughtful introductions and continued structure

Personality: Smart, observant, sensitive and eager to please

Favorite things: Toys, toys, toys — and his person

Humans: This is where his heart truly belongs

**DON'T LIVE IN TEXAS? DON'T LET THAT STOP YOU!**

We believe the right home matters more than the ZIP code. If Chance's person lives outside Texas, we can help coordinate reputable transportation to an approved adopter. So don't scroll past him because there are a few states between you. If you're his person, we'll work on the miles. You just bring the love.

**OUR PROMISE TO CHANCE**

Chance didn't choose whatever happened before he was found.

He didn't choose the scars.

He didn't choose to learn that the world — or other dogs — might be something to fear.

But when humans finally gave him safety, structure and an opportunity to learn, he showed them who he really is.

A survivor.

A student.

A world-class toy enthusiast.

A car-ride connoisseur.

A big, wrinkly-faced goofball.

And, underneath all of it, a dog who desperately wants a person to belong to.

His name couldn't be more perfect.

Because somewhere out there, we believe someone is going to look beyond the scars and see those soft eyes, that wiggling body and that ridiculous happy grin and decide to take a chance on him.

And maybe someday they'll wonder: "What were the chances that my very best friend was waiting for me all along?"

Pretty good, Chance.

Pretty darn good.

The American Staffordshire Terrier, also known as the Amstaff, is a medium sized, muscular breed known for its loyalty and courage. Developed in the United States, they are intelligent and affectionate dogs, making them great family companions. With a distinctive short coat and strong build, American Staffordshire Terriers are often misunderstood due to their past as fighting dogs, but they are actually loving and playful pets when raised in a nurturing environment. They thrive on human interaction and are eager to please their owners.

The black Labrador Retriever is a popular and versatile breed known for its friendly nature, intelligence, and loyalty. They are agile, keen swimmers with a strong work ethic, making them excellent hunting and service dogs. Their glossy black coat is low maintenance and sheds minimally, while their friendly temperament makes them great family pets. Black Labs are known for their outgoing personalities and eagerness to please, making them loving companions in various roles and settings.