Written by Shani Roberts
Professional photography by Yvonne Jansen from BlissfulTails
Cerberus came into our lives in 2021 at just seven weeks old, after being rescued from a difficult start. Taken from his mother far too young, at only three weeks old, he was placed into foster care before finding his way to us.
At first, our intention was simple: to help our rescue dog Raven, who was struggling with behavioural issues. What we didn’t know was that Cerberus would become not just her companion, but the heart of our family.
Life tested him
From the beginning, he was the biggest “polony roll” in his litter, with a personality just as soft and sweet. Raven took him under her wing immediately, and he even struck up an unexpected friendship with our youngest cat, Maleficent. But the joy of bringing him home was short-lived – the very first weekend we had him, Cerberus fell critically ill and was rushed to the vet. Raven became sick, too. It was touch and go, but he pulled through. We thought the worst was behind us. In reality, his journey was only just beginning.
Over the years, Cerberus faced not only medical battles – from gut health problems to severe skin issues – but also the unfair stigma of being an American Pit Bull Terrier. We poured countless hours into force-free training with an amazing behaviourist, determined to give him and Raven the tools to thrive.
At one point, things were so difficult with Raven’s sudden aggression (caused by medical issues) that we were advised to consider behavioural euthanasia. Poor Cerberus was caught in the middle and he had to fight for his life. But giving up was never an option. Through patience, teamwork, and relentless dedication, we finally made a breakthrough.
Even then, life tested him. The “Pit Bull pandemic” hit, and suddenly doors everywhere were shut: day cares, boarding, grooming, even simple walks. Cerberus was unfairly judged, muzzled, and mistreated – not for who he was, but for what people thought he was. We were even verbally attacked at the vet. But, in true Cerberus fashion, he refused to let the cruelty of others define him.
Together, we trained harder than ever. He proudly earned his KUSA Elementary Trick Dog Certificate – the very first APBT to do so. Unfortunately, they informed us that that his breed wasn’t recognised, and the news crushed us. He was banned from so many things and now making his biggest achievement feel invisible, to us it was still monumental.
A gentle spirit
Cerberus has always shown us what resilience looks like. He’s survived attacks from other dogs, yet his spirit remains gentle. He’s even protected his dad from danger during a walk gone wrong. He’s endured endless vet visits, food trials, and skin flare-ups, only to come out stronger every time. Finding the right holistic diet and care plan gave him the quality of life he deserves, and we’ve continued to train, introduce agility, and nurture his body and mind.
Then, in early 2025, life threw us another curveball; we found a growth on his scrotum. At first, we assumed it was another benign lump. But at his annual check-up, we heard the word no pet parent ever wants to hear – cancer. Our world was turned upside down. Thankfully, we caught it early. Surgery removed the tumours with clear margins, and no cells had spread. Today, Cerberus continues his check-ups and monthly full-body inspections, living his best life surrounded by love.
Cerberus’ story isn’t just about survival – it’s about hope, perseverance, and unconditional love. Owning these dogs isn’t easy. It takes patience, training, sacrifice, and endless commitment. But Cerberus has taught us that every ounce of effort is worth it. He’s our warrior, our protector, our gentle giant – and above all, our sweetheart.
Fun Facts About Cerberus
Ball Obsessed: If there’s a ball around, Cerberus will find it – and once it’s in his mouth, good luck getting it back! Fetch is life.
A Fruit bat at Heart: Unlike most dogs who beg for meaty treats, Cerberus goes wild for fruit. His absolute favourites? Strawberries, grapefruit and blueberries.
Cat Whisperer: He has a special bond with his feline sister, Maleficent – proving that dogs and cats can be the best of friends.
Gentle Giant: Despite his tough exterior, his favourite place to be is curled up at home, soaking up cuddles.
Nickname: Around the house, he answers to “Buddy” – though when he’s in ball-mode, he pretends he’s deaf!
