Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with dogs,
Not good with cats,
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
🤎 PETER — SOMEBODY'S “BEST FRIEND,” WAITING TO BE ONE AGAIN 🤎
📍 Upland Animal Shelter — Upland, CA
🐾 Animal ID: IEPA-A-18364
🐕 Breed: American Pit Bull Terrier Mix
♂️ Sex: Male, Neutered
⚖️ Weight: 89 lbs
🎂 Age: 4 years, 7 months
📅 At the shelter since: December 11, 2025.
🐾 SOME DOGS ARRIVE WITH A HISTORY. PETER ARRIVED WITH JUST TWO WORDS.
We don't know what Peter's life was like before he came to Upland Animal Shelter as a stray.
We don't know where he lived, who loved him, or how he ended up alone.
But when he arrived, this big 89-pound dog was wearing an old harness. Attached to it was a worn Velcro patch, its faded letters still readable:
BEST FRIEND.
Somewhere in Peter's past, someone chose those words for him.
And after getting to know Peter, it's remarkably easy to understand why.
❤️ THE DAY EVERYTHING CHANGED
When Peter first arrived, he wasn't particularly interested in making friends with people. He wasn't unfriendly—just reserved and independent. In the play yard, he preferred exploring and doing his own thing.
And getting there was another matter entirely.
Peter used to come out of his kennel like a bull leaving a rodeo, determined to reach that play yard as quickly as possible.
Then one day, while he was pulling toward it, his volunteer handler became tangled in the leash and fell flat on the ground.
Peter could have kept going.
He didn't.
He stopped immediately.
Instead of continuing toward the place he had been so desperate to reach, Peter lay down beside his fallen friend and stayed there. He calmly allowed the volunteer to use his broad, strong back to get back onto their feet.
That small moment changed their relationship.
It was the beginning of a friendship.
And perhaps it revealed something about Peter that had been there all along.
🥰 FROM INDEPENDENT BOY TO 89-POUND VELCRO DOG
Months have passed, and the dog who once preferred keeping to himself has changed enormously.
Peter has discovered that having a person of his own is actually pretty wonderful.
These days, take him into the play yard and don't expect much personal space. Peter would much rather stay beside you collecting pets, belly rubs and treats.
Preferably all three.
Repeatedly.
The formerly reserved dog has become something very close to an 89-pound Velcro dog.
And yes, Peter considers himself lap-dog-sized.
We haven't had the heart to tell him otherwise.
🌳 OUTSIDE THE SHELTER, YOU MEET ANOTHER SIDE OF PETER
Peter is a big, powerful dog, but one of the most striking things about him is the way he carries himself away from the stress of the shelter.
On walks through the park, he has a wonderful calm confidence.
He doesn't need to rush through the world. He walks beside his person, taking everything in, and there's something wonderfully reassuring about having this big fellow at your side.
The park sometimes hosts public events—live music, classic-car shows, crowds and unfamiliar people—and Peter has joined his volunteer to investigate.
People inevitably notice him.
"What a beautiful dog!"
And Peter?
He simply stands there while strangers admire and pet him, accepting the attention with the composure of a dog who apparently considers compliments his natural due.
If Peter could speak, we suspect he'd say:
“Yes, you may pet me. I am gorgeous. I know.” 😎
Then he's ready to continue his walk.
🎾 ATHLETE, STUDENT... AND BEGINNER FETCH PLAYER
Peter would thrive with an active person who enjoys walks, adventures and spending time with their dog.
He's intelligent, treat motivated and eager to learn. He already knows SIT, takes treats gently, and walks well on leash—especially with a harness.
He also loves toys, particularly stuffed ones, and he's learning the finer points of fetch.
Peter has mastered:
Step 1: Chase the toy. ✅
Step 2: Get the toy. ✅
Step 3: Bring the toy back. 🤔
We're working on Step 3.
Or perhaps Peter understands perfectly well and simply disagrees with the rules.
🐕 WHAT PETER NEEDS IN HIS FOREVER HOME
Peter is a wonderful dog, but he's also 89 pounds of strength, personality and enthusiasm, so finding the right home matters more than finding just any home.
🏡 Adult-only home preferred
🐾 Experience with large, powerful breeds preferred
🐕 Single-dog home
🐈 No cats
🦴 High prey drive
🏃 Active home preferred
🦮 Walks well on leash; does especially well with a harness
🧠 Smart and eager to learn
🍪 Treat motivated and takes treats gently
🎓 Knows SIT
🎾 Loves toys and beginner-level fetch
❤️ Affectionate, social and increasingly Velcro-like
Peter has not been formally tested with other dogs. In the shelter environment, he can be reactive toward dogs around the kennel area and while inside the fenced play yard. Interestingly, on walks away from the shelter—in the park and neighborhood—he has been much calmer around dogs and can notice them without the same reaction.
Because we don't yet know how Peter would respond to close interaction with another dog, he should currently be considered a single-dog-home candidate, and his adopter should be prepared to give him appropriate space around unfamiliar dogs.
🤎 MAYBE “BEST FRIEND” WASN'T JUST AN OLD PATCH
There is so much about Peter's first four years that we will probably never know.
We don't know who bought that old harness.
We don't know who attached that little patch.
And we don't know how a dog once called BEST FRIEND eventually found himself without one.
But we do know the Peter who is here today.
A powerful dog who can walk through a busy park with quiet confidence.
A once-independent dog who has slowly learned to seek affection.
A ridiculous 89-pound lap dog.
A beginner fetch player who may consider returning the toy optional.
A dog who will stand peacefully while strangers tell him how handsome he is.
And a dog who, when the person holding his leash suddenly fell to the ground, forgot about where he wanted to go, lay down beside them, and stayed.
Peter has been somebody's best friend before.
Maybe it's time for him to be yours. 🤎🐾
📸 More photos and information about Peter:
https://www.shelterluv.com/embed/animal/IEPA-A-18364
🚐 Transportation may be available for rescue organizations.
Upland Animal Shelter — Upland, California
