Dog sticks around with South Metro family

Family says dog won't leave after showing up at house Monday night

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – We've all heard heartwarming stories about dogs finding new homes, but they usually involve someone adopting them. But for one South Metro family, it seems like the dog has "adopted" them, and he looks like he plans on staying, whether they want him to or not.

Madison Espling, 11, said the dog -- a pit bull-lab mix -- showed up outside their house Monday night on Cedar Road at around 8 p.m., and he hasn't left yet.

"Last night around 8, we heard a dog barking, and he just kept barking and he wouldn't leave," Espling said. "Then my aunt tried to get rid of him and he still wouldn't leave. She even tried to scare him away but he just wouldn't leave."

Espling said they've never seen the dog before.

"He follows us around everywhere, he won't let us leave," said Espling.

For some reason the dog seems to have "adopted" Espling and her mom and their home as his own. Unfortunately, he won't take no for an answer, constantly head-butting and clawing at their front door, even scratching the hood of their car.

"We think he's more playful than aggressive," Espling said.

Espling said they've called a local shelter, but they won't come get the dog for 48 hours. She said she's not so sure she wants him taken to a shelter anyway.

"We can tell he's part pit bull, and pit bulls are only there for three days," Espling said.

Espling said they can tell the dog has a family because he has meat on his bones.

"But we're hoping they didn't get him for Christmas and decide that he was too much and just dropped him off around here," said Espling. We hope his family will claim him soon."