Thursday, September 11, 2014

IN DEFENSE OF THE PIT BULL

IN DEFENSE OF THE PIT BULL

By anybody's reckoning, Joshua Holland is a credible writer... with sufficient ethos to publish (quite prolifically) in Alternet, Salon,  Moyers & Friends, etc. He is a producer of a digital magazine, radio host, and author of what many consider erudite books. I disagree with him on many issues, but I am also a fan. That's a rare occurrence for me, I am not much into fandom - although, I am also a fan of Bill Moyers - a truly wise and objective journalist.

I don't know how I missed this last year, but here is an article by Joshua in Salon. He calls them as he sees them. Personally, I would have picked the picture of an American Pit Bull Terrier, not one of these design dogs, but maybe that's his point. "They are just dogs."


I enjoyed the article and I hope you will, too.

http://www.salon.com/2013/02/05/in_defense_of_the_pitbull_partner/


Thursday, August 21, 2014

The Most Incredible Journey: A Pibble's Path




The Most Incredible Journey: A Pibble's Path 

Paperback – July 19, 2014by James S. Martinez (Author), Timothy T. Civick (Illustrator)

My review

Behind us baby-boomers the younger generations' opinions seem to be created and manipulated by mainstream media, more than ever before. Many of today's children's emotions have been emptied of empathy by sensation seeking print media. It is, therefore, with great pleasure that I read such a book. It is intended for the generation whose character, personality, values, and heart has not been crystalized. Yet.

A sweet book like this with real stories put in palatable form for the young'uns makes me smile as it will tens of thousands of children everywhere. Briefly, the book's first half is a first-"person" narrative of a puppy's journey from terror, misery, and deprivation to the forever home (as we call them in rescue) of a "guardian angel." Sprinkled throughout the story are references to the plight of a much maligned breed, namely the Pit Bull (a.k.a. pibble, pit, pittie, bully) . If read slowly and explained to a young child, this is an emotional rags-to-riches moral story. The second half of the book is comprised of real stories of actual dogs, complete with actual pictures and the easy-going rocking rhythm of the poems. The book ends, appropriately, with a Pibble's Prayer. 

I can easily see myself lying down with my son and reading this book to him, while he is looking at those soulful drawings. I love James Martinez' writing style and Timothy T. Civicks art work. 

I work with poor children who are in trouble: mentally, behaviorally, or emotionally. In their world, dog-fighting is culturally acceptable. I am thinking of getting some copies of "The Most Incredible Journey: A Pibble's Path" and spread them around their schools, libraries and community centers. If this book changes just one kid's perception of what's right and what's wrong, it will be all worth it. 

· Paperback: 80 pages
· Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (July 19, 2014)
· Language: English
· ISBN-10: 1497307023
· ISBN-13: 978-1497307025




Tuesday, August 5, 2014

DELAWARE GIVES ABUSED PIT BULLS THE SECOND CHANCE THEY DESERVE



Delaware Gives Abused Pit Bulls The Second Chance They Deserve



 The Huffington Post  | By Arin Greenwood
Posted: 08/04/2014 1:58 pm EDT Updated: 08/04/2014 1:59 pm ED


"Delaware's Governor Jack Markell (D) signed Senate Bill 245 into law late last week.[...]
Under the new law, dogs seized from fighting situations -- most often pit bulls -- may now be individually evaluated to see if they might be adoptable. Previously, the law deemed all dogs seized from fighting situations to be "dangerous," and required them to be euthanized (including pregnant dogs, and puppies, though this part of the requirement seems to have been executed in a somewhat flexible manner)."

10 CELEBRITIES WHO REALLY LOVE THEIR PIT BULLS


10 Celebrities Who Really Love Their Pit Bulls

This post is part of HuffPost's ongoing #PitBullWeek coverage.

 

10 Celebrities Who Really Love Their Pit Bulls
The Huffington Post  | By Nick Visser
Posted: 08/01/2014 5:31 pm EDT

"Let's face it: Despite all the myths, pit bulls are just about the nicest dogs there are. You know it, we know it and even celebrities know it, including these 10 famous members of the elite who've welcomed these bullied breeds into their families with open arms."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/01/celebrity-pit-bulls_n_5642916.html?utm_hp_ref=pit-bulls

THE TRUTH ABOUT PIT BULLS (VIDEO)

The Truth About Pit Bulls (VIDEO)

Posted: 08/01/2014 2:38 pm EDT
by Amber Genuske amber.genuske@huffingtonpost.com


This post is part of HuffPost's ongoing #PitBullWeek coverage.














Follow them at their website or on Facebook and Twitter where they are be using the hashtag #PitBullWeek

Don't forget to look at the slide show of the 75 NY-Area Pit Bulls Looking For Forever Homes

Look at those faces... Brie, Dallas, Dharma, Duchess, Gracie, Marian, Loretta, Isis... how can you resist? Take one (or two) of them home. You will never regret it.

Friday, August 1, 2014

PITBULLSHIRT.COM

From

Bama Bully Rescue


EXCITING NEWS! Today is the first day of a brand new fundraiser sponsored by the folks at www.pitbullshirt.com! If you aren't already familiar with their tees, you're in for a surprise! They have TONS of pitbull-positive designs, and all of them also convey the message of adoption! 
Check out the site, and when you make a purchase, please be sure to type in BAMA BULLY in the customer notes section of their order form. When you do, we get 10% of proceeds donated to us from any shirt purchases, ALL MONTH LONG! 

PLEASE SHARE WITH ALL OF YOUR PITBULL-LOVING FRIENDS 

Thursday, July 31, 2014

JUST DOGS PROJECT

from Jenny Persing's 





Jenny Persing's Just Dogs Project is a collection of photos and stories from owners of pit bull-type dogs in the Seattle area. Jenn is inspired by her personal experiences with the canines, especially her own bully, Rain. Rain has been Jenny's muse for art, advocacy and community building. Jenny started her work in 2013. Since then, she has been collecting and publishing stories of the love shared between these supposedly "dangerous" dogs and their owners.





Enjoy the "Just Dogs Project" 






photographs: 


and stories



Wednesday, July 30, 2014

HE DIDN'T RIP MY FACE OFF

from

My Pit Bull Never Snapped

Roo Yori
Founder/CEO, Wallace the Pit Bull Foundation
Posted: 07/30/2014 10:22 am EDT Updated: 31 minutes ago  


Roo Yori decided to adopt a Pit Bull named Wallace, despite the fact that he was told he and his wife have just become a "certain kind of people" because they had "that type of dog. They were told to be constantly on guard because Wallace will attack them in their sleep. They were told that one day Wallace would snap, and they will be sorry.


Read the rest of the story...

WE ARE LEGION

We Are Legion

Now and then, especially after a particularly unfruitful argument about the virtues of Pits, invariably with some utterly ill-educated person, I feel like shutting down. Just let me live with my dogs in peace. And 'they" can kiss my butt. By "they" I mean a cadre of semi-humans who walk in and into darkness, with nothing but ugliness on the inside, black hearts and all, spewing forth miserable agenda, usually driven by greed, or pride, or the search for some other Earthly hell, because they must be living in hell, otherwise how can we possibly explain this lack of mercy, lack of compassion, and lack of ability to love. Luckily their meaningless, incoherent, and oinking is mostly silent text, with the occasional squealing in some never-watched medium.

The only thing missing from this ugly, ugly film is the sound of jackboots hitting the asphalt as they march our dogs to gas chambers and crematoria. 

Mendacity is their name and prevarication is what they do. I know all this and I should be able to dismiss them all as pimples on the World's ass, but, now and then, they get to me.

Then, I remember... I got into this with naïveté, ignorance, but pure, albeit selfish, heart. I happily went my ways, learning as much and as well as I usually do. First the exhilaration of new discoveries and the pleasure of training. Then the satisfaction of seeing animals' response. Then tragedy. Rebirth of commitment with a new understanding. 

Somewhere along the way, the game became serious labor. It turns out I have become a Pit Bull activist. And I am not alone. 

How many of you are in "here" with me? It turns out we are hundreds of thousands, MILLIONS... innumerable. I like the company I keep: both animal and human. ;-)





















Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Sgt. Stubby on The Travel Channel

A Canine War Hero

Learn about the most decorated war dog in history

Sergeant Stubby (1916 or 1917 – March 16, 1926), has been called the most decorated war dog of World War I and the only dog to be nominated for rank and then promoted to sergeant through combat, a claim for which there is no documentary evidence, but was recognized in connection with an exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution. He was the official mascot of the 102nd Infantry, assigned to the 26th (Yankee) Division. Stubby served for 18 months and participated in seventeen battles on the Western Front. He saved his regiment from surprise mustard gas attacks, found and comforted the wounded, and once caught a German soldier by the seat of his pants, holding him there until American soldiers found him. Back home his exploits were front page news of every major newspaper. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergeant_Stubby

Watch this video from





Dangerous breed: dog or man?

Dangerous breed: dog or man?

This event took place on: Thursday, August 15, 2013
Location: KPCC's Crawford Family Forum
474 South Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105

Which is the dangerous breed, dog or man? KPCC's crime and safety reporter Erika Aguilar takes up these questions at the Crawford Family Forum with animal researcher Dr. David Haworth, dog behaviorist Brandon Fouché and PETA's Lisa Lange. Bring your questions and join the conversation. KPCCRadio (via YouTube).

16 Pit Bull Heroes

These 16 Dogs Are Heroes. They Are Also Pit Bulls.

The Huffington Post | By Kate Bratskeir
Posted: 07/29/2014 9:34 am EDT



Logical Talk About Pit Bulls

Let's Use Logic to Talk About Pit Bulls -- It'll Make Things Better for Everyone

by Arin Greenwood
Animal Welfare Editor, The Huffington Post
Posted: 07/09/2014 10:44 am EDT Updated: 07/09/2014 10:59 am EDT


The dog you see with the tutu is Mazzy, a mixed-breed dog who was banned from a Louisiana town for nothing more than the results of a genetic test. Mazzy's parents successfully challenged their town's breed ban; she's living back home with them now, and the town is responsible for paying Mazzy's parents' legal fees. Breed restrictions not only don't increase public safety -- they are also expensive to try to enforce.

Homeless Man's Guardian Angel

Homeless Man Who Sold Sketches Of Dog Now Has Own Art Show, Credits His 'Guardian Angel' Pup

The Huffington Post | By Melissa McGlensey
Posted: 07/22/2014 10:01 am EDT Updated: 07/25/2014 3:59 pm EDT



Pit Saves Chihuahua Soulmate

This Pit Bull Carried Her Injured Chihuahua 'Soul Mate' To Safety, Now They Need A Loving Home

The Huffington Post | By Arin Greenwood
Posted: 07/22/2014 11:24 am EDT Updated: 07/23/2014 10:59 pm EDT


Best Friends

Baby, Pit Bull Puppy Are Cutest Best Friends You'll See Today

The Huffington Post | By Cavan Sieczkowski
Posted: 07/28/2014 9:50 am EDT Updated: 07/28/2014 10:59 am EDT


Pit Bulls in Peril

What Puts Pit Bulls in Peril

by Matthew Bershadker, ASPCA President and CEO
HuffPost - PitBulls
Posted: Updated: 

Dogs Forgive

This Handsome Pit Bull Is A Perfect Example Of Rehabilitation Gone Right

HuffPost Live
Posted: 07/28/2014 6:18 pm EDT Updated: 07/28/2014 6:59 pm EDT


What You Know About Pits is Wrong

Everything You Know About Pit Bulls Is Wrong

HUFFPOST LIVE
Originally aired on July 28, 2014
Hosted by: Caitlyn Becker

http://tinyurl.com/lal5773

Monday, July 28, 2014

Breed is a Red Herring

from

When It Comes To Identifying Dangerous Dogs, 'Breed Is A Red Herring'

Arin Greenwood joins HuffPost Live to explain why breed has very little to do with whether a dog with be aggressive. 

Hosted by: Caitlyn Becker
Guests:
Arin Greenwood @arin_twit (Washington, DC) HuffPost Animal Welfare Editor
Brian Garton @PibblesnMore (New York) Adopted a Pit Bull; Volunteer, Pibbles & More Animal Rescue
Rebecca Corry @TheRebeccaCorry (Los Angeles, CA) President, Stand Up For Pits Foundation
Leah Brewer @HeroDogElle (Roanoke Rapids, NC) Owner, Elle the Pit Bull

http://tinyurl.com/pezkg76