Goodbye, Demo

Demo, the real-life junkyard rescue who inspired the book Demo: Story of a Junkyard Dog has passed away. Click the link to read the touching blog entry written by Demo's long-time companion.

And Another Sad Story in the Media

Yesterday the story broke of a bust on a dog fighting ring (ran out of the same home as a licensed day care) in Maywood, which is not so very far from where we live. It is always harder when these things happen close to home. The original article was illustrated with a "vicious dog fighting" graphic which has been replaced with some photos, but really bothered me and definitely distracted from the issue at hand. Can we get a "vicious humans" graphic, please? I have read a lot of dog fighting stories in the media and this is maybe one of the worst as far as the descriptions of the conditions of the dogs who were found, so I recommend that you read at your own risk.

This morning I read the updated story, which is illustrated with a painfully adorable picture of the Cook County Sheriff holding a 4-week-old white pit bull puppy that could melt any heart. Seriously, adorable.

A few things really struck me about this story:
1) The majority of the comments (as far as I read) have been surprisingly positive in terms of not bashing the breed. I don't know how people could read a story like this and still blame the dogs. These conditions are not fit for anyone and it is no wonder that these dogs may not be happy to see people. They are AFRAID.
2) The comment in the story of one of the neighbors that she was (understandably) afraid of these dogs and is glad that they have been removed. Okay, well now you still have to live alongside these PEOPLE and you are okay with that?
3) One of the suspects spoke to the media and is quoted as dismissing what the police have found as nothing major. Not something you see every day.
4) As the police were investigating this home, they look into the neighbors yard and see ANOTHER abused pit bull and subsequently bust that guy, too.
5) There is a law against felons owning an unaltered dog?
6) It is no wonder that people can grow up with a lack of compassion for animals when this house contained a daycare and the children were literally playing outside beside abused and mangled dogs. We need to work so hard to teach the next generation that this is not normal or right.

We will see where this story goes, but I think the public at large is definitely getting on the side of anti-dog fighting and I can only hope that this case will be another step towards ending dog fighting in our society completely.

Now go and hug your dogs.

This just in...

Check out Probert and I in the local news!! Please leave a comment on the paper's website to thank them for doing a positive story about pit bulls!

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

In the News

Two cool stories that I wanted to share today:

1) This story from April about "wild" dogs in Moscow who have learned to take the trains into the city center where they beg for food before taking the trains back home at night where they rest and do the same thing again the next day. This story is simultaneously adorable and sad. I want to hug all of those dogs. (Even if you don't read, at least click to look at the cute pictures.)

2) This story from today which reports on an ad that Main Line Animal Rescue in Philly has placed in Washington DC (and which will likely appear in other areas) that says that for every time Michael Vick is tackled in that region's game, 5 bags of dog food will be donated to a local shelter. The ad also encourages people to volunteer at their local shelter and perhaps spend time "hugging a homeless Pit Bull." I'm all for this. Homeless pups need hugs.

An Event!

I've posted before about Pinups for Pitbulls and I think even shared the picture of Maizy, Probert, and me from the 2008 Pinups for Pitbulls calendar as well as the picture of Probert and another human model in the (first ever) 2007 calendar. Well, this year we've stepped it up a notch and not only did we submit a photo for the 2010 calendar (just wait and see which dogs made it!), but I am also organizing a fundraiser for Pinups for Pitbulls right here in Chicago!

Please pass the word on about the event and if you are in the area, it would be awesome to see you there! Also, if you have a business or know someone who does, we are currently in need of items for the raffle!

Demo the Dog

Quite possibly one of the cutest things I've ever seen is this book, Demo: The Story of a Junkyard Dog. I love the idea for the story, I love the illustrations, I love the whole darn thing! Will definitely be picking up a copy and maybe a second one to donate to the local library. Speaking of the local library, Maizy goes back for her "kids reading to dogs" program in October. I think this is a story that she would not get tired of hearing!

Farewell

Rest in Peace, Sweet Jasmine.

The Friendliest Dog in Town

A friend turned me on to this video made by John Shipe for his song Pit Bull Blues. I love this song and have it on my ipod and it definitely reminds me of my pups. I had never seen the video before, though. Enjoy!

Children's Book: Max, The Shelter Dog

I haven't read Max, The Shelter Dog, but it looks like a cute gift for the children in your life! Anything we can do to educate children about bully breeds and animal rescue at an early age is worthwhile!


"Max, The Shelter Dog" is the story of an energetic and playful pup surrendered to a shelter by his owners, as told from a dog's perspective. Max is heart broken as he struggles to run after his owner as she flees through the shelter doors. Left behind, Max has no choice but to endure his journey through the shelter system in the hopes of finding a forever home.

Through Max's ordeal, children learn compassion, strength of will, and hope. They will come away with a new appreciation and respect for all sheltered animals. Children are our future, and it is my hope that through Max's story they will be the next generation of leaders who will help put an end to shelters all together.

Be prepared to take a journey that will touch not only the heart of a child, but that of any adult who loves animals, especially pit bulls.

Four Legs Good Two Legs Bad

A friend online sent this video over to me, thinking that I would enjoy it. Boy was she right! Share it with your companion animal loving friends!

Gross Misinformation

This has to be one of the most uninformed and silly articles I have ever read (and that is putting it mildly). Amidst all of the stories about the amazing recovery of the Vick dogs and their ability to lead normal lives as DOGS (which is what they are - not unstoppable monsters), people still believe things like the mess in this article. I agree that there is a lot of irresponsible and negligent pit bull ownership out there, but that still does not make the dogs bad. It just makes those responsible pit bull owners (which is where I believe I fit in) have to work that much harder in order for our dogs to be treated normally. I feel horrible for the people and the dogs who are harmed by carless owners who don't train or contain their dogs. The first rule of dog ownership and training is not to set your dog up to fail.

NFL Dogged By Pit Bull Problem
By Michael Felger

Pit bull owners typically fall into two categories:

Creeps.

Or imbeciles.

...Read More...

Ohio Reconsiders "Vicious Dog" Label

Currently in the state of Ohio labels all pit bulls (and any dog that looks like it might be a pit bull) as "vicious". Dog owners have to carry expensive insurance policies in order to keep their pit bull (or "pit bull type") dogs. One lawmaker in Ohio is stepping up to try to change that.

You can view the news story here, including a link in the upper left hand corner to a video piece. The video features Lisa, who is the reason that I knew about Measle's Animal Haven (she was a foster parent for them) and as a result, the reason that I adopted my little Probert. :)

Also, check out Lisa's super super cute little foster pup, Broby, in the video! Love his ears!

Ohio residents: send letters of support to Representative Sears! As we know, the breed is not the determining factor of whether a dog is vicious. Responsible ownership is the answer, as well as enforcement and improvement of existing animal welfare laws. A dog shouldn't have to act out before it can be legally removed from a bad situation.

Fighting Against Dogfighting

You may have previously seen the story of Oogie, the Dogo Argentino rescued from a hellish life as a bait dog in a dog fighting ring.

Well, now millions have heard Oogie's story, as he was a guest on the Oprah Winfrey show! You can read all about it here (click "next" to read the whole story).


Also, for those in the Chicago area, you can check out Chicagoland Bully Breed Rescue's 2nd Annual Love Me Don't Fight me fundraiser event tonight at Exit. Make a donation for me, if you're there! I don't stay out that late. :)

Not what you'd expect...

Check out the newest member of the Cook County Police force!

As I understand it, Elliot is a former CBBR dog.

Another Pit Bull in the News

"The Good News Out of The Bad Newz Kennels"

There is a fantastic article in the new issue of Sports Illustrated about the Michael Vick dogs. A must-read for pit bull lovers and haters alike (click the image to read it).

Marley and Me

If you haven't seen it yet, you should definitely check out the trailer for the new movie Marley and Me, based on the book by John Grogan. The Brown Dog Dad and I were laughing out loud watching it. Reminds me of a young Maizy...

The Bad and the Good

There have been two pup stories in the news lately that have touched me. One is about the horrible situation that happened at High Caliber K-9 Kennel in Youngstown, Ohio. The story (with graphic pictures at the end, so don't scroll down all the way if you don't want to see) is here. For a more personal approach to the story, you can also read a webpage made by the family of one of the dogs that was starved to death at the Nitro Foundation.

The other story is one that I just saw tonight and that nearly made my heart leap out of my chest with it's adorableness. It is about how a stray pit bull saved a woman and child from a knife-wielding attacker. As the woman made her escape in her car, the dog jumped into her back seat. If he is not claimed as a stray in five days, her family plans to adopt him. I think that's so amazing. Read it all here.

Discovery News features Pinups for Pitbulls!

Check out our friends from Pinups for Pitbulls on Discovery News! Carla Lou and Baxter are fellow brown pups!

Pinup Girls Pose for Pit Bulls