PBRC News and Views

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

2008-05-06T08:28:00.002-04:00

Have you ever thought about having your dog be a blood donor? Blood products can be in just as great a need for canines, as they can for humans.

The benefits of doing this with your dog can be:

Free annual blood chemistries, including a heartworm test
Free, or discounted vaccinations
Wonderful way to get your dog out there every 8 weeks to socialize and interact
A warm fuzzy feeling, knowing your pit bull is helping another dog

Each blood bank handles these benefits differently, but most will give you some sort of annual blood panel screening and heartworm test at no cost, if your dog donates a few times a year.

Tonka has been doing this since he was old enough to donate (about a year old) and he is a superstar at the Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank (www.evbb.com) in Severna Park, MD. He is a favorite of the clinic not only because he is a perfect patient, but because he is one of those pit bulls that can’t hold his Licker! He likes to give the staff lots of kisses.

As a reward, he gets a plain hamburger from his favorite fast food drive-through afterwards (or chicken nuggets, depending on his mood.) He also gets a beautiful kerchief each time, handmade by one of the staff at he clinic. Currently, he has a snazzy kerchief for every major holiday, including his birthday.

Most dogs can donate until about the age of eight, before they need to retire. So, if you think your dog might be a candidate for this, talk to your vet for a recommendation to a blood bank close to you.

Who knows, your pit bull just might save another dog’s life!

PBRC at the Maryland Doggone Walk Festival

2008-04-28T21:46:00.001-04:00

Sunday April 27th a damp and chilly morning found PBRC volunteers, Lex, Amanda and Sheb at the Doggone Walk Festival to benefit the Anne Arundel Count SPCA.

This event welcomed dogs of all shapes and sizes and even several other species of critters and their people, to walk through the beautiful Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis Maryland to raise money for the all homeless pets.

More than 50 businesses, shelters, rescues and non-profit organizations set up booths to provide the walkers with lots of information and goodies from local pet organizations and PBRC was right in the middle of them all. Our volunteers provided pet owners from all over Maryland with the best pit bull educational information available. Topics included: “what is a pit bull”, “what is BSL and how do we fight it”, “fun things to do with your pit bull” as well as the many services PBRC can provide to pit bull owners, rescuers and enthusiasts.

Our local breed ambassador, Murphy, also donated his time and his tongue to PBRC’s event! For a small donation, Murphy provided as many pit bull kisses as you could take. More often than not, though Murphy gave his kisses away for free, but that was ok too since he is determined to change the public image of his breed one face washing at a time.

Despite the cold drizzle and cloudy skies, we had an enthusiastic crowd visit us at our booth, meeting our volunteers, getting their Murphy kisses and showing off their own beautiful dogs and in the process learning more about our wonderful breed.

Check out our slide show of the event here and see the fantastic people that stopped by to visit us. A big thank you from PBRC to everyone who stopped by to see us!

If you have a pet event coming up in your town that you would like to see PBRC at please send us an email at pbrc@pitbullinfo.net to let us know the details.

Your Pit Bull's Desert Island Toy

2008-04-28T07:40:00.002-04:00

In a recent informal poll, pit bull owners listed the following items as "must-haves" for their pibble:

enormous pile of horse dung
Galileo bone
underwear
squeaky toy
the refrigerator
bully stick
soccer ball
jolly ball
Dogzerts
inflatable raft to ship off any other dogs that might show up
the cookie jar
the bed
big stuffed fleece bone
frisbee
owner's lap
sticks
evil red cuz ball
bad cuz ball
best friend
the couch
kong
socks
nylabone
blankie
pig ears

And many pit bull owners said their dog only wants them.

It looks like this pibble might take her chair.

The Bully Workshop: What It’s All About

2008-04-26T08:11:00.003-04:00

Several years ago, I decided I needed to do more to help pit bulls in my area. Breed specific legislation was, and still is, spreading like wildfire across the state of Iowa where I live. As a result, more and more pit bulls were landing in the shelters across the state. In addition, there are many other ‘ripple’ effects of BSL: potential adopters are scared to adopt a pit bull, landlords and management companies felt they had support to ban the breeds from their rental properties (“everyone else is doing it”), owners have trouble finding insurance for their homes, shelters become inundated with dogs that they have difficulty adopting out, etc. The cumulative effect of BSL puts owners, shelters, and of course, the dogs, in a no-win situation.

I began to plan an event I dubbed the “Bully Workshop.” I had no idea what I was doing….LOL! But, somehow I muddled my way through and organized the first workshop. I invited guest speakers to talk about different topics related to the breed. I invited several owners to bring their dogs to be examples of the breed. The first workshop covered breed characteristics, legislation, sheltering, and demonstrations of activities owners can do with their dogs. The workshop was a success, and I resolved that I would try to offer this type of workshop once a year.

In 2006, I held the second workshop, expanding on the previous year’s topics. In the wake of Katrina, many shelter and animal care professionals became aware of just how big the pit bull overpopulation problem truly is. Rescuer Teal Alt presented on her experience assisting during Katrina. I also added a health segment, so owners and shelter staff would be more cognizant of the common health issues in the bull breeds, as well as the importance of spaying and neutering. An open forum concluded the workshop, allowing the guests to ask questions of all the presenters. This forum allowed for exchange of information in an interactive way, and has been part of the following year’s workshops. PBRC volunteers were present to provide information at their booth and to answer questions about the breed and the organization.

The 2007 Bully Workshop expanded in even bigger directions. My motto when planning this workshop, was “just ask!” I decided that in order to continue providing a quality workshop, I would need financial support, as well as volunteers. In 2007, I was able to obtain funding to support the workshop, allowing me to bring in new guest speakers, and to provide educational materials and folders for all the guests. Friends of the Animal Center Foundation and Animal Farm Foundation generously provided grants towards operating and promotion costs. Pit Bull Rescue Central provided educational materials for the guests’ folders, and also maintained an educational booth with information and merchandise. Vendor booths were added – Chelsy’s Toys and Leash On Life offered great interactive and durable toys, training materials, and treats for sale. The workshop went expanded to a 5-hour event, allowing me to pack in more information, demonstrations, and bully kisses. Of course, the real highlight of each workshop has been the dogs. I truly feel that beyond the printed and spoken word, the best way to change people’s minds and to educate them about the breed, is to have stellar examples of pit bulls on site, for interaction.

The 2008 Bully Workshop is coming soon, and promises to be an informative, fun, and interactive experience. For a detailed look at this year’s speakers and topics, Click here. The workshop flyer and registration form are available in downloadable formats.

Each year, the event has grown in the size and scope. What are the benefits of holding such a workshop? I see many positive outcomes of this event:

Owners of bull breeds become more educated about their dogs, enabling them to make responsible choices about the ways they interact with their dogs, how they present their dogs in a public light, and how to be proactive about the issues that they face (insurance, legislation, breed stigma, etc.)
Owners can network with other pit bull owners who share their same love for this breed
Potential adopters can gain accurate information in order to determine make informed adoption decisions
Adopters of bull breeds have a chance to show off their dogs to the workshop guests, to present themselves as excellent breed ambassadors and model responsible handling skills
Shelter and rescue personnel and volunteers gain more knowledge about the breed, thus enabling them to better educate potential adopters, and the public that enter their shelter doors
Shelter and rescue personnel gather information and the tools needed to be proactive in their communities regarding legislation, spay/neuter resources, etc.
Shelter and rescue personnel have an opportunity to learn more about canine behavior, training, and successful practices for housing, making successful dog-to-dog matches, and placing bull breeds.
Shelter and rescue personnel have a chance to network with each other, forming positive relationships to foster best practices in animal welfare
All guests learn more about the breed traits and breed history through presentations, handouts, books, merchandise, and visual displays.

I hope to see you at this year’s workshop, and I thank you on behalf of the dogs, whose lives are ultimately impacted by this event.

Andrea Kilkenny

Gumby, Part 3 (and Rosie, too)

2008-04-15T11:11:00.004-04:00

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update on Gumby & Rosie.

Gumby is at Town & Country East vet clinic where he received his heart worm treatment. He is finished and so far, so good! I visited with him today and he was very happy to see me. He will be at T&C until Monday, as I am going out of town this weekend and Erica is also out of town. His skin is better, though he will need two more doses of ivermectin for the mange. He also needs to be microchipped and neutered.

Here are links to his latest videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxc7xBTCTDY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9wtZ-trE8k

Rosie is also at T&C and she will begin heart worm treatment tomorrow. Her heart worms are more advanced than Gumby's were, so please send positive, healing thoughts to her. She is gaining weight since we wormed her and is really turning out to be a sweet little girl. Once she has recovered from heartworm treatment she also needs to be microchipped and spayed.

Again, I want to thank everyone for their generosity, support and concern for these dogs. We couldn't help them without you!

Ami
K9 Rescue League
http://www.k9rescueleague.com/K9/index.shtml
----------------------------------

Hello everyone!

We took Gumby out to Hightower Farm Sanctuary this weekend to see how he responds to horses and cats. He did great! If he can also get along with pigs, cows and goats then he may have a forever home in Florida. If that doesn't work out, there is also a potential home for him in Tennessee.

Here's the link to the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbxbhfPOKE8

Gumby was treated for heartworms a month ago and is doing great! Thankfully he didn't have a severe case. His skin is much better and he will be going back to the vet for a re-check sometime next week. As soon as we get the green light we will have him neutered and microchipped.

Ami
K9 Rescue League
http://www.k9rescueleague.com/K9/index.shtml

Gumby, the Toothless Old Pit Bull in Atlanta, Part 2

2008-04-15T11:05:00.002-04:00

First I would like to thank all of the wonderful people that have already helped and those who have offered to help with Gumby's medical bills. I am truly touched by your generosity and your concern for him. I also want to thank the two people that have offered to give this old man a safe place to spend the rest of his years.

The good news is that Gumby's blood work is very normal for a heartworm positive dog his age! The vet thinks he's between 8-10 years old.

The bad news is that he scraped positive for scabies and me, my husband and Erica (my friend, neighbor and fellow rescuer) may also have it. Oh the joys of animal rescue! I will still give him a hug from everyone, though! We will have to be very careful with Gumby and not let him come into contact with our other pets until he is healed, which may take a while.

Gumby's remaining teeth are stable and there are no signs of infection.

The doctor says that he does not have a prolapsed rectum, and that it is very common to see a protruding anus in a unneutered dog as old as he is, though she admits that his is the worst she has ever seen.

His fecal exam revealed that he has hookworms and whipworms.

The doctor wants to recheck him in 2 weeks to see how he's doing. She recommends that we have him heartworm treated before having him neutered. Also, his skin needs to clear up before he is neutered.

Today he was vaccinated, given a medicated bath, received Hydroxycine (not sure if I spelled that right) for his itchy skin and put on antibiotics. He was sent home with a huge bag of meds! Erica also took him to McDonald's for a treat on the way home.

Gumby still needs to be treated for heartworms and neutered, as well as microchipped so he'll never be a lost wanderer again!

Ami
K9 Rescue League
PBRC Volunteer

The Tale of Gumby, Part 1

2008-04-15T10:57:00.002-04:00

I know that everyone gets a ton of crossposts, but please take the time to read this one and send it on. I don't get emotional about stray dogs very often as I know the hard reality, but sometimes one just reaches out to you and you can't look away.

I live in SW Atlanta and the area isn't very friendly for stray animals. There is a small handful of us doing what we can for the strays, but we can't do it alone.

This weekend my neighbor came to get me to help her get a pit bull out of her yard. So, I went out there and one of the saddest things I've ever seen was in front of me. He was old, hungry, filthy and full of sores, but as sweet as pie. He had a luggage strap tied around his neck for a collar. He looked up at me with these sad, hopeful eyes and I couldn't walk away from him. So, I put a leash on him and tried to find out where he belonged (not to return him so much as to yell at whomever would allow their dog to be in such a sorry state), but no one had ever seen him. Finally one man said he had seen him up at the gas station looking for food a few weeks ago. I was determined not to take this dog home with me, but the minute I put a leash on him I was doomed. I already have 4 pit bulls at my house, 2 of which are horribly dog aggressive and approaching their senior years.

I was so distraught over this dog that I was sobbing on the phone with my husband. Not only are we not in a position to take in another needy soul, but this dog is sick and needs help and we can't pay for the kind of care he may need. He told me that it would be ok and we'd figure it out like we always do. When my husband got home we took him in the house and bathed him. That's when we discovered he had no front teeth on the top or bottom, and only a portion of a broken canine. So, we named him Gumby. He was so anxious when we were bathing him. We couldn't tell if he was grunting from anxiety or pain, but we got him nice and clean and set up in a crate in a separate room of our house. We also put a real collar on him. He was so excited to get a collar it almost broke my heart.

My neighbors who also rescue did a snap test on him for us last night and he is heartworm positive. We aren't sure of the extent of the heartworms since that can only be determined by a veterinarian, but it's obvious he may also have a problem with his prostate due to his very prominent anus. We don't think it's just an anal gland issue as he doesn't scooch or scoot to relieve himself and he doesn't mess with it much. He also is not comfortable in a normal sit position and prefers to lie down. He is going to the vet tomorrow. If they tell us that his blood work indicates cancer or some other serious illness, or if they feel he won't survive heartworm treatment, then we will most likely have him put to sleep. However, I am determined to give this dog a chance to have a normal, loving life. He probably doesn't have much time left and his last years need to be comfy.

To make matters worse, we found another needy pit bull yesterday. We were doing yardwork and she was walking down the street, with no collar or tags, of course. She's also a sad case, but nothing compared to Gumby.

Thanks,
Ami
K9 Rescue League
PBRC Volunteer

Vintage Style Posters by Christine J. Head

2008-04-04T10:37:00.004-04:00

2008 AMSTAFF

The first poster released for 2008, "AMSTAFF" is a beautiful French vintage style art poster to compliment Christine's other posters, "Pitini" and "Break the Chains".

Translation from French:

Extra Fine
The Gentleman's Cocktail
Stop Breed Specific Legislation
Love/Loyalty (lower left bottle)

Measures 24" x 36"
Limited to 1000
Each poster is hand signed and numbered by the artist

Price: $95 + $5 shipping
(add'l shipping charges apply on international orders)
Comes rolled in tube - 50% of proceeds go to PBRC!

Click here to ORDER NOW!

About the Artist: Christine J. Head’s sought-after, limited-edition prints and posters have helped numerous rescues raise much needed funds.

Initially, Christine did "hands-on" rescue work, housing several foster dogs and going through the painstaking process of finding the right permanent home for each of these dogs who already found a permanent place in her heart. Eventually, her interests in the creative arts and canine needs combined and she discovered the best way to apply her talents to raise money and awareness for animal rescue.

Christine started The Puppy Sketches in 1999 and has been contributing to rescue organizations ever since by creating original and limited edition posters. Originally, her beautiful portraits of dogs in need of urgent medical care and adoption accompanied by the dog’s poignant story, raised thousands of dollars for individual rescues.

Currently, Christine’s focus is on highly stylized vintage/Art Nouveau-style posters prints that raise money for multiple breed rescues. These posters are sold almost exclusively through rescue organizations.

Some notable animal lovers and celebrities who collect her work include actresses Jorja Fox and Mary Steenburgen, and Comedienne Elayne Boosler.

PBRC's 3rd Annual I Pittie, the Fool Contest!

2008-03-24T16:07:00.001-04:00

It's time for Pit Bull Rescue Central's 3rd Annual "I Pittie, The Fool" photo contest! Are you entertained by your bully buddy's antics? Is your canine companion a constant comic cut-up?

Share those silly moments with everyone by submitting a photo to our contest!

To enter your playful pooch in our contest, send your photo, the dog's name, your name, and your email address to pbrccontest@pbrc.net. Once all pictures are received they will be put into a gallery for the public to vote on. The owner with the best fool of a pit bull will win a t-shirt from PBRC featuring his/her contest picture.

Please submit your photos no later than March 28, 2008 (Midnight EST). Multiple entries are welcome, but please submit only one photo per dog. And please remember safety first when snapping those silly pics!

Mark your calendars:

Deadline for photos: Fri March 28 (Midnight EST)
Foolish voting by everyone: Sun March 30
I Pittie, The Fool announced: Tues April 1

Good luck and may your hilarious hound win!

Palm Springs Pit Bull: Four-paw tour

2008-02-27T15:45:00.005-05:00

A great way to tour Palm Springs is on foot. Grab a leash and a poop bag and follow me! Palm Springs is very dog-friendly. Many restaurants and coffee shops have outdoor seating where dogs can go. The fun part of Palm Canyon Drive with all the cute shops is one mile long; it’s good exercise to walk down one side and up the other. The earlier in the morning you go, the less crowded it is. In the summer it’s very hot here, like 90 degrees at 6am, so not many people visit then, but in the winter it’s much cooler and people tour from all over.

Another fun thing to tour is the Walk of Stars. There are over 250 stars in the sidewalk. To get one, you have to live in Palm Springs a while, be in show business, be an author or some kind of pioneer, or win a congressional medal of honor. Did you know Cheetah, the ape from Tarzan, lives here? He got a star! Cheetah is like 76 years old now and me and Dad walked by his house once. Cheetah is an artist. You can see some of his work HERE!

Palm Springs has art around the city like statues and sculptures, stuff my housemate Pepper pees on. Everyone likes to get pictures with Sonny Bono’s statue. I like it because there is fountain of water there and I love to go in fountains. In the summer, we do the “walk of fountains” so I don’t die of heat exposure. Sonny Bono was the mayor of Palm Springs until he skied into tree and died…so sad. Now there is statue and star for him since he was a likeable goofball like some dogs we all know.

The last thing on the walking tour is the road to the Palm Springs Aerial Tram. People park at visitor center and walk/run/bike up the road to Tram station and back for fitness. It’s 3 miles to the welcome sign and I think about 1500 ft elevation climb. Very fun walk! Mom said it was harder for her coming down than going up and her butt hurt for a week after. That’s because she’s out of shape…my butt was fine, but I did sleep good that night.

Next time: Palm Springs dog park…

PBRC commemorates SpayDay USA throughout February!

2008-02-22T19:40:00.003-05:00

Only one week left to qualify for free gift with spay/neuter.

PBRC commemorates SpayDay USA throughout February! Join us as we "Celebrate the Pit Bull" all month long with special gift packs for spay/neuter assistance applicants.*

If your pit bull is not spayed or neutered, join us in our pledge to end pit bull homelessness and give the gift of good health to your loyal friend. We'll give you a free "Celebrate the Pit Bull" gift pack!*
All you need to do is complete an application for PBRC's spay/neuter assistance and follow through with the spay or neuter surgery.

CLICK HERE to go to the application!

* The application must be submitted in February and result in spay/neuter surgery to qualify for free gift. Gift pack includes oval sticker, zipper pull and ribbon magnet. While supplies last. Expect 4-6 weeks for delivery.

14th Annual SpayDay USA is February 26, 2008!

2008-02-05T08:33:00.000-05:00

Join PBRC as we "Celebrate the Pit Bull" all February long to commemorate the 14th Annual SpayDay USA! PBRC is giving away special gift packs to applicants throughout February.*

As pit bull lovers, we know how special and extraordinary our dogs are. We want the best for them in every way so we take responsibility for their health, safety and well-being. Our dogs are loved.

But, many have never known this kindness because they were born into and suffering. Pit bulls make up the majority of animal shelter populations and most are euthanized due to lack of homes.

As and rescuers, we want to do our part to end pit bull homeless by spaying/neutering our dogs so they don't create unwanted litters. There are also many health benefits associated with spay/neuter including eliminating the risk of testicular cancer, lowering/eliminating the risk of mammary tumors in females, eliminating messy heat cycles, and lowering the risk of prostate cancer and peri-anal tumors in males.

If your pit bull is not spayed/neutered we hope you'll give him/her the gift of good health this February! As an added incentive, we'll give you a free "Celebrate the Pit Bull" gift pack! All you need to do is fill in an application for spay/neuter assistance and follow through with the spay/neuter surgery from February 1 through February 29, 2008 to qualify for your free gift.

Click here to go to the application page!

Is your pit bull already altered? Want to participate? For a minimum donation of $50 to our Spay/Neuter Fund to help fund a spay/neuter we'll send you a gift pack too! To make a donation with your credit card click here or send a check with "Spay/Neuter Fund" noted in the memo to: PBRC, PO Box 335, Fulton, MO 65251

Please help PBRC by spreading the word and encouraging your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and other individuals to get their pit bull or pit bull mix spayed or neutered through PBRC during February.

*The application must be submitted in February and result in spay/neuter surgery to qualify for free gift. Gift pack includes oval sticker, zipper pull and ribbon magnet. While supplies last. Expect 4-6 weeks for delivery.

The Incredible Journey

2008-01-30T08:49:00.000-05:00

First let me introduce my pack, there is Sydney an 11 year old spayed/female pit bull, Samantha (now deceased) but at the time of our journey was a 10 year old spayed/female ‘pitador,' Murphy a 3 year old neutered male pit bull, Foster a 16 month old neutered male pit bull, Kipling a 13 year old kitty and an assortment of freshwater fish. I have been very fortunate that all of my critters get along together. Of course I always take precautions and always supervise their interactions, but at least so far they have always been friendly towards each other. Recently however, that friendship was put to the ultimate test!

My career took a sudden change that required a cross country move of my family from the western edge of Montana to the eastern edge of Virginia. Mapquest indicated that this would be a journey of more than 2300 miles and take an estimated 35.5 hours crossing at least part of 9 different states including Ohio in which BSL is rampant. Oh and did I mention my mother was coming along for the ride? Although I was looking forward to the new start in life, this journey was a huge concern. Mom doesn’t like riding in a car for more than 8-10 hours at a time and with 4 dogs, I was also planning on stopping for breaks every 3-4 hours. So that meant that we would all be stuck in an SUV together for at least 4 very long days and in a different hotel every night.

The Journey:

Day 1: We started out early on Saturday morning, got the car packed up in record time, made sure the house was completely empty and clean, waiting for the new owner. The dogs were excited to be going for a ride and were eager to get going….little did they know! I had reduced the stuff to carry myself to the absolute minimum so most of it could fit on top of the car, but there were various odds and ends that inevitably ended up inside taking up precious cargo room. Each of the dogs had a bed and a corner of the truck, the cat was in his carrier toward the front and the assorted fish were in a Tupperware box in the back. All of this was packed to make entry and exit from the car as easy as possible for the dogs at rest stops.

The beginning of our route took us past our most favorite hiking trails so we had to stop for one last quick hike before leaving our valley forever. Back in the car the dogs finally settled down to sleep.

Unfortunately however, my mom is a very conscientious driver who religiously uses her turn signals. Now normally that is a good thing, except to Sydney, turn signals indicate potty breaks so every time my mom would switch lanes, Sydney woke up and wanted a potty break. A couple raps with a rolled up newspaper taught my stubborn mom not to use her turn signals anymore!

It must have been a crazy site at the rest stops when two women and four pit bulls all come tumbling out of an SUV! The first day was relatively uneventful, the three older dogs were used to long drives and baby Foster took his cue from them and slept quietly in the back.

Our next test however was how to sneak 4 pit bulls and a cat into the hotels at night. This was where having two people came in handy. Pulling around the corner of the office allowed me to register with “I’m traveling with a medium-sized dog." Fortunately we were always lucky to get rooms far from the front desk so that we could then sneak them in two by two and take them for potty breaks the same way. The problem came when Foster after sleeping away the whole day in the car woke up and wanted to play all night long! Plus he had never been in a hotel before so it was a lot of fun jumping from one bed to the next.

The next few days were mostly uneventful. The dogs and cat got into the routine and were quite easy to deal with during our “pit” stops. Trying to keep Foster amused was rather difficult however. I had planned for this and brought his favorite toy--bubbles, to try to burn off some of his energy. So during a few of our rest stops and at hotels I tried exercising him on a long leash by blowing bubbles. It helped, but was not enough for a high energy pup who was used to running around a one acre yard everyday! Mid way, we decided to change our route somewhat so that we could avoid driving through Ohio entirely so that we wouldn’t face any of the rampant BSL. It added a few hours and an extra state or two to our trip, but the peace of mind was worth it.

Day four finally arrived, we had four more states to get through, but we were determined to make it to my new house if it killed us! It’s a good thing too because tempers were starting to flare in the back of the car. I t doesn’t matter how good of friends you are, when there is no room to move and brothers and sisters keep stepping on each other and sitting on each other, there is always the inevitable “MOM, He’s touching me!” which in this case came as growls and general pissy attitudes. But we made it, 12 hours later we arrived at our new home. The yard was not yet fenced so running around was still out of the question, but a large new home with no furniture yet made for some exciting races.

After four months, we’ve finally settled in, the fence is up and the furniture finally arrived. Sadly, Samantha lost her battle with cancer a few weeks after we arrived.

Despite our huge loss and our incredible journey, we are all still friends and we hope to never have to do it again.

~ Amanda and the BullyBrigade

The Best Speech I Never Gave!

2008-01-22T09:35:00.000-05:00

Recently, I had to go to my dentist to get fitted for a crown. After I got settled, the doctor gave me my numbing shot and then left the office so I could get loopy. His assistant and I immediately started talking about my favorite topic – pit bulls.

Several minutes later, the doc returns and begins to work on my tooth. Just as he puts his tools in my mouth, he asks, "What were you gals in here chatting about?" The assistant replies, "Pit bulls". His response was, "Awww, you can throw them all away as far as I'm concerned."

I get a look of horror on my face and the assistant immediately begins to explains my love of pit bulls and how I work with a group that provides educational services as well as rescue assistance. He looks me in the eye and says, "You like pit bulls?" Since his tools were still in my mouth, I replied "AWWWWUVVVWITWULLS"!

What ensue after was an exchange between the dentist and assistant that consisted of each tossing out various myths and stories about pit bulls. Each would say something they had heard and then the other would correct them citing an article or TV show they'd seen. I was trying desperately to get a word in, but hey – that guy had a drill!

Needless to say, over the next half hour, the two of them came to the agreement that pit bulls weren't so bad after all and that much of what they'd heard was erroneous. As they finished up and the assistant was removing the gauze from my mouth, my dentist says, "Thank you so much for all the great information, we really learned a lot today."

I just smiled with my numb mouth and said, "Yaw Walcom"

~ Lynn, aka The Bat Whisperer

Woman to address ban of certain dogs at police assembly

2008-01-11T09:14:00.000-05:00

Ledy VanKavage continues to spread her message that banning breeds of dogs does not make a difference in public safety.

On Sunday she will speak at the Winter 2008 Training Conference on Police Ethics for the Illinois Chiefs of Police in Collinsville at the Gateway Center.

"I'm talking about breed specific legislation and whether or not canine profiling is effective," she said.

It is a topic she addresses frequently.

"I'll talk about how it doesn't work," she said.

VanKavage is an attorney and the senior director of legislation and legal training for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She has a long history of activism in animal welfare matters and has founded and served on the boards of several organizations.

She lives in Collinsville and she practices what she preaches. She has rescued some pit bulls, a breed that many want banned because of viciousness. VanKavage has three rescued brindle pit bulls named Clarence Darrow, Che and Bella.

At the conference she will offer alternatives for police to help get dangerous dogs under control.

"There are dangerous dog laws in Illinois that a lot of police don't know about," she said. "Under Illinois law, it is very easy to get a dog declared dangerous. Not vicious. That's a much more involved procedure involving the court system."

VanKavage said dangerous dogs should be identified by behavior, not breed.

"I'm working on trying to get the police to focus on that," she said. "That is what I will be educating them about."

She said experience has shown that banning specific breeds doesn't change the number of dog bite incidents.

"Specific breed laws don't work," she said. "We've seen it in several different countries where they enacted breed restrictions. Even with the breeds restricted, their bite statistics don't change."

She offers her rescued pit bulls as an example of how a supposed dangerous breed can be handled. She said her cats dominate the much larger animals.

People used to go off trail to avoid the dogs when they were walked. But when the pit bulls have on some sort of costume, people come over and talk to them and are fascinated, she said.

"A lot of it is perception," she said.

At the conference, a pair of rescued pit bulls who are drug sniffing dogs for the Washington State Police also will perform a demonstration.

Reuniting best pals

2008-01-10T10:19:00.000-05:00

A gift brings a youth and his beloved dog together again

By DAVID FILKINS, Staff writer
First published: Thursday, January 3, 2008

SCOTIA -- Nathan Grier had problems in math, problems in science, problems socializing -- problems that, as bad as they were, seemed to disappear the minute he went home to his 2 year old pit bull, Booger.

They were inseparable friends living in Ocala, Fla. Booger accompanied 13-year-old Nathan to the bathroom and shower. They even slept in the same bed, Nathan nestled under the covers, Booger flat on his back, nose pointed, all four legs extended toward the ceiling.

It was a perfect relationship.

Then it was over.

In September, Nathan's mother, Bonnie, who grew up in Schenectady, talked her husband, Steve, into moving to New York state. She knew the schools were equipped for helping students like Nathan, who has a learning disability. In Florida, he spent most of his school days confused, with his forehead on his desk.

However, the family was flying and couldn't afford the $1,000 price tag for transporting Booger. Bonnie works as an aide for the elderly and Steve is an unemployed electrician.

The effect on Nathan, however, couldn't be measured in fiscal terms. In his world, where not much came easy, his relationship with Booger was a breeze. It made sense.

Nathan took the move hard, screaming hysterically when Booger was dragged away on a leash.

The separation wasn't much easier for Booger. His new home would be safe and full of love, the Griers thought. Instead, he ended up in what resembled the pooch version of a bad prison.

He was hardly fed. Water was a rarity. And fleas infested his tan-and-white body, gnawing holes in his ears that are visible today, even after repeated doses of Neosporin. After nearly a month, Booger broke a window to get outside.

But he was scared to jump. So he stood at the window frame until a friend of the Griers happened to drive past and saw him surrounded by broken glass. The friends knocked on the door then went inside to find the house had been abandoned. Booger had been abandoned.

The friends took Booger home in October. He had been an inside dog with the Griers but became an outside dog with his newest caretakers. It was better than being abandoned. Still, Booger needed his buddy. He needed Nathan.

Nathan began to flourish at Scotia Middle School. With the help of educators like social worker Jessica Brennan, he raised his average in math from a 30 to a 93. Nathan had been placed in classes that are tailored to his ability, and suddenly, the numbers began to add up.

He answered questions. He handed his homework in on time. He no longer sat in class with his forehead on his desk. But he wasn't happy. Booger was 1,200 miles away.

Nathan talked about Booger the first time he met with Brennan, and continued to retell Booger stories every time they spoke. One thing, it seemed, allowed the shy boy to open up and reveal his thoughts. Brennan listened and listened some more. Then she had an idea: Why not bring Booger to New York?

Brennan logged onto her computer at home one night and Googled "pet charities and Florida." A few organizations popped up and she e-mailed each one. She received two responses. One told her to hold a fundraiser. The other, Pet Togethers, asked for more information.

She explained the situation and in early December, Pet Togethers agreed to pay the expenses to send Booger north. He needed immunizations, flight papers and transportation to and from the airport.

As it turns out, Pet Togethers isn't normally in the make-a-wish-come-true business.

It's a pet supplement company.

On Dec. 29, Pet Togethers employees loaded Booger into a crate and onto a plane at Tampa International Airport. He arrived in Albany at 4 p.m. and was placed in a van. About an hour later, the van rolled up to the curb in front of the Grier home.

Nathan knew a package was coming. The contents of that package, however, had been a mystery.

"Nathan, something's here for you," Bonnie said as Nathan looked out the window.

He ran outside, looked in the van, and was too stunned to say anything. Booger was skinnier than Nathan had ever seen him. But Booger was still Booger, and he licked Nathan's face through the bars of the cage.

Nathan began to cry as he embraced Booger. Over the next few hours, the doorbell rang almost constantly, as Nathan's friends, who had all heard about Booger, stopped by to meet the dog.

In the days since, Booger has begun the process of acclimating to his new environment. He hates the cold and refuses to set foot in snow. But he still follows Nathan into the bathroom. They're still inseparable. And Booger still sleeps with his feet skyward.

2008 Hero Dog of the Year!

2008-01-04T20:15:00.000-05:00

Meet Maya!

"We chose Maya for this award not only because she saved (Angela Marcelino) her human mommy's life from an attacker, but because the organization behind National Dog Day, the Animal Miracle Foundation, loves and supports ALL dog breeds. We don't believe in breed bans and Maya is a testament to the fact that the Pit Bull breed can be hero dogs just like any other breed.

All dogs are capable of biting and even attacking, but it's our firm belief that humans are to blame behind the dogs who get the bad rap. Sadly, so many dogs suffer a tragic fate simply because of their breed. Not only is Maya our Hero Dog of 2008, she is what we're calling our AmbassaBULL to all bull breeds.

It's clear, in this situation, as is the case in many life-threatening situations that involve attacks on women, that Angela was fortunate to have a Pit Bull as her protector. But the most heartwarming aspect of this story is that Angela rescued Maya from the Santa Clara County Animal Shelter....and on June 17th, 2007, Maya returned the favor." ~National Dog Day

••••••••••••

Instead of writing a standard 3rd party editorial, we felt that this story is best told by the woman who not only loves this dog - but who is alive today because of her.

It was Fathers Day 2007. I opened my front door and was about to walk inside when I saw someone’s shadow out of the corner of my eye. I turned my head just as a man pushed me into my house. I screamed as loud as I could, but the man had slammed the door shut behind him. “Shut up” were the only words he said to me. He was choking me with one hand. I was able to scream one last time. After I did, his grip tightened around my neck. That is when I saw a white streak run in from the other room. His grip was so tight that I could only gurgle the words “Maya, get him.” He still had a grip on my throat, as his other hand was busy trying to fight off my angry dog. I don’t know how, but I managed to get on my feet.

His attention turned away from Maya for a second so that he could push my front door open and she followed. At that point I grabbed him in the groin as hard as I could. He doubled over and released the grip around my neck. I pushed him away and grabbed Maya by the collar. I like to think, at that moment, he told himself he had picked the wrong woman to mess with. He looked at me one last time, only for a second, and then simply walked away. I waited and followed him from a distance just in case he decided he wasn’t done yet. He was getting into a car. I repeated the license plate number over and over in my head and ran back inside to call 911.

The police arrived after only a couple of minutes. Officers gathered evidence and asked so many questions. I told them how Maya had come to my rescue. I also told them that Maya had something red on her face. They asked me if she was alright or if she was injured. When I checked her, she looked up at me and had such a proud look on her face. She was licking her chops and wagging her tail. If dogs could talk, I think at that moment she would have said “he sure wasn’t expecting to see me, was he?” Maya was fine. Now the officers were trying to determine the best way to swab the head of an angry pit bull. After a couple of tries, and lots of patience, they were able to retrieve what they needed. I told myself that he was going to be arrested the same day. He wasn’t. Everyday following the attack, I worried that he would be back.

Sometime later, Detective Kimber asked me to come down to the station. He had pictures of potential suspects and wanted to know if any of them looked like my attacker. After writing out a statement about one of the photos, Detective Kimber said “we processed the DNA and got a match.” It was same man that I had picked from the photos. The lab had processed the blood from Maya’s face and got a match. I could not believe it. It turns out this man had a record and this was his third strike. He was arrested shortly after being identified. Anthony Easley, 38 years old, now facing life in prison if convicted. After the arrest, Maya became the local hero. I’ve learned that our story has reached across the country. I wish everyone knew how grateful I am for the support and the prayers. It makes each day a little easier to deal with. I cry sometimes when I hug Maya and ask her “ What would I do without you?” But first, I thank God for bringing Maya into my life.

"I'm so proud and grateful that Maya has been honored with the National Dog Day Hero Dog Award for 2008 and feel truly blessed to have her as part of the family. We cant imagine life without her." ~Angela Marcelino

Holiday Pet Safety Tips

2007-12-23T08:15:00.000-05:00

You can help keep pets safe during the holiday season by following the tips below:

• Many holiday plants can lead to health problems in dogs and cats including holly, mistletoe, poinsettias and lilies.

• Snow globes often contain antifreeze, which is poisonous to pets.

• Pine needles, when ingested, can puncture holes in a pet's intestine so keep pet areas clear of pine needles.

• Extra cords and plugs can look like chew toys to pets. Tape down or cover cords to help avoid shocks, burns or other serious injuries. Unplug holiday lights when you are not home.

• Anchor Christmas trees to the ceiling with a string to keep it from falling on pets.

• Do not let pets drink the holiday tree water. Some may contain fertilizers, and stagnant tree water can harbor bacteria. An ex-pen can be used to block access to electrical cords and gifts.

• Pets, particularly cats, can be tempted to eat tinsel, which can block the intestines.

• Put away toys after children open their gifts. Small plastic pieces and rubber balls are common causes of choking and intestinal blockage in dogs. Ingested plastic or cloth toys must often be removed surgically.

• Avoid toxic decorations. Bubbling lights contain fluid that can be inhaled or ingested, snow sprays and snow flock can cause reactions when inhaled, styrofoam poses a choking hazard, tinsel can cause choking and intestinal obstruction, and water in snow scenes may contain toxic organisms such as Salmonella.

• Holiday guests and other activity can be very stressful and even frightening to pets. Make sure pets have a safe place to retreat in your house. And make sure they are wearing current I.D. in case they escape out a door when guests come and go.

• Reduce stress by keeping feeding and exercise on a regular schedule.

• Many holiday foods, including fatty meats, gravies, poultry skin, bones, chocolate and alcohol, can cause illnesses from vomiting and diarrhea to highly serious pancreatitis and other toxic reactions. In addition, candy wrappers, aluminum foil pieces and ribbons can choke pets.

• If you suspect that your pet has eaten something toxic, call your veterinarian and/or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's 24-hour emergency hotline at 1-888-4-ANI-HELP.

• If your pet ingests glass, broken plastic, staples or other small, sharp objects, call your veterinarian.

• Finally, now is a good time to double-check smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and other safety devices and replace batteries. Safety, of course, is the key reason -- but here's another good reason. When batteries run low, the devices often emit alert or alarm sounds at frequencies that can be painful and frightening to many pets.

Condensed from Robin Tierney's, "Dog Tip: Holiday Pet Safety Checklist"

Palm Springs Pit Bull PRIDE

2007-11-27T07:39:00.000-05:00

The day started like any other until the feather boa came out of the closet. After breakfast, mom said we were going to a PRIDE parade downtown. I’ve never been to a parade. There we were, me wrapped in the boa and feeling very fluffy, and mom and dad sitting on the curb watching floats and marching bands go by.

People could not resist me in my boa! Kids and drag queens squealed with delight and put necklaces on me. There were a lot of dogs in the parade and I kissed some of them as they walked by. There was a search and rescue Lab in training sitting next to me but her mommies said she was working so no smoochies for her. Oh well, can’t say I didn’t try!

The parade got me thinking how pit bulls and gay people both face stereotypes and prejudices. People are quick to judge and focus on outer appearances, never getting past them to see what’s on the inside. We can’t help what we are born with, like sometimes I wish I had yellow clothes like the SAR Lab because then people might not cross the street so fast when I’m out walking. But since I can’t change my genetics, I have to shape the environment to be more accepting and change peoples’ perceptions, one at a time. And how to do this? Well, I think getting out there and giving lots of kisses is key.

Or maybe all we need is a pit bull PRIDE parade!

~ Kandy