Dog lover advances the cause of pit bulls
By Adam Rosen, arosen@mysuburbanlife.com
Berwyn Life
Mon Sep 21, 2009, 10:43 AM CDT
Berwyn, IL -Nicole Hopman has always enjoyed the company of pit bulls, so much so that she has dressed up as a pin-up girl to raise money for the breed she loves.
"They’re the breed of dog that is most in need of responsible ownership,” Hopman said. “A lot of people are just getting them to fight or train the wrong way and it doesn’t help the breed at all.”
In 2007, Hopman heard from Little Darling, a pinup model and burlesque performer and creator of the “Pinups for Pit bulls” calendar, that she had seen photos of her Hopman’s pit bull and Probert wanted the dog to appear in the 2007 calendar. Hopman accepted, and was brought in the following year to appear beside her canine friend for the 2008 calendar.
This year, Hopman and Probert did a photo shoot with local photographer Chris Zibutis and submitted her best photos to the calendar.
If Hopman is one of the lucky 12 chosen, it will be her second appearance in the calendar and third for Probert.
Even if she is not included, Hopman will host a calendar release part Nov. 6 at The Exit in Chicago. However, half of the stars in the calendar will not be allowed admittance.
“There are no dogs allowed, but there will be many dog lovers there,” Hopman said.
Notable
Probert the pit bull received his name from the former Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings forward Bob Probert, who was notoriously known for his enforcer style of play. Nicole, a Red Wings fan, agreed with her husband Shawn, a Blackhawks fan, on the name.
& quotable
“For me it’s disappointing that there are people out there who are willing to exploit a dogs loyalty for profit, and it’s disappointing that someone has the capacity to be so cruel.”
Calendar preorder available
The “Pinups for Pit bulls” calendar will go on sale in early November starting with the launch party Nov. 6, but calendars can already be pre-ordered at the organizations Web site, pinupsforpitbulls.com.
More about Nicole
OTHER PETS Addy, a pit bull
HOBBIES Baking, yoga
JOB Yoga teacher in Oak Park
6 comments:
That's great!!! I hope you make the calendar again!! We'll head over to the paper and leave them a comment.
Lilo
Thanks so much for leaving a comment! :D
I hope we make it in, too! We've never had to submit and wait this way before... more pressure! :)
Great article.
Hope you both make the calender!
Yea for you, I left a comment on the paper site to thank them for featuring such a great subject(s)!
Love love love the photo and article.
Thanks for your support, guys! We also hope to make it into the 2010 calendar to help spread the pittie love (and to make Probert more famouser). ;)
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