tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56368029671707383682024-03-05T06:58:48.982-05:00PBRC News and ViewsPit Bull Rescue Central is a virtual shelter and educational resource for everyone who loves bully breeds.Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.comBlogger290125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-45285645818862169972014-10-26T11:54:00.000-04:002014-10-26T11:54:25.200-04:00PBRC Volunteers and Their Dogs: Juli and Layla and Andre
<P><i>In honor of Pit Bull Awareness Month, Pit Bull Rescue Central's volunteers are sharing the stories of how their pit bulls became part of their families. PBRC envisions a compassionate world where pit bulls and pit bull mixes reside in responsible, loving homes and where their honor and positive image is restored and preserved.</i></p>
<P><b>Building a resume for difficult dogs, by Juli Goodrich</b></p>
<p>In September 2004, I decided that my husband had proven himself responsible enough for his OWN dog. We already had Lita, a spayed 3-year-old pit bull, but I was also getting tired of only getting to walk her for rainy potty walks… So I began researching getting a second pit bull. I found PBRC and signed up for Pitbull-L, the email list that would become my number-one resource and community for many years. I began to search for the rescue dog of my husband’s dreams. He wanted a large, black or dark brindle, male pit bull. We were both shocked and bothered by the fact that our local shelter had a 100% euthanasia policy on pit bulls. My eyes began gradually opening to the problems for pit bulls in my area.</p>
<p>I didn’t want try housetraining a puppy in our tiny 2nd story apartment. I searched and searched and found some local rescues, but they didn’t have dogs that appealed to my husband. I mentioned to my carpool coworker that I was searching, and she got excited. We just HAD to meet her friend’s dog! She was going to have puppies in a couple of weeks, and the friend hadn’t sold any of them. It was an accidental breeding, of course.</P>
<p>After a week of pestering I finally agreed to meet the mother dog. I told my husband that I didn’t want to buy a puppy, but we needed to go meet this dog to keep the peace. She opened the door, and a warm white cannonball hit my hubby in the chest! Down he went, and spent the next half hour on the receiving end of the most enthusiastic face-washing either one of us had ever seen. I was told that Layla was so gentle and calm that the little 7-year-old girl could walk her easily, very smart and biddable, knew lots of tricks and housetrained really fast. My husband was smitten, already half in love with the mother dog. I reiterated my desire to rescue not buy and our need for a male to be most compatible with our Lita girl. </p>
<p>Not 3 days later, my coworker came bursting into my office. The landlord of the home the little white dog lived in had not known there were <i>any</i> pets in the home, and the owners were going to have to get rid of most of their dogs. The following day, she told me her friend had brought Layla into the vet to see how many puppies they were going to have, so they could decide if they were going to keep her. They were shocked to find out she wasn’t actually pregnant. Her body had gotten just enough hormones to go into a false pregnancy. The shelter where they planned to take all of the extra dogs had a 100% euthanasia policy on pit bulls. So, we got a crate and I told my coworker to tell her friend we would take Layla on October 1st. </p>
<p>Over the next few weeks, we realized that the <i>only</i> thing true that we had been told about this little dog was that she was a white female pit bull! She had no manners, no training, and wasn’t housebroken. She hid socks and fish food in our couch for the babies her body told her were coming. She was also only 6 months old. (This is why Layla’s honorary birthday is 4/1, she was the biggest April Fools’ joke ever played on us…) </p>
<p>Civilizing Layla has been a labor of love the past 10 years. </p>
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<p>Layla is my living resume for difficult dogs. People who see her for the first time want her, people who know her are glad they can leave her when they go home.
She is a dog of many opinions. She will converse with us, in grunts, with appropriate pauses and eye contact. She will not tolerate rudeness nor excessive confidence in another dog. </p>
<p>She thinks new people are <i>awesome</i>, and her favorite people get treated to a special wriggling, leaping, grunting, licking white whirlwind focused on them. She will leap over the back of the couch to lick someone, but doesn’t even try to leap a baby gate. She will go under a fence, but never over. Her favorite (though contentious!) sleeping place is with her head on my pillow, snoring loudly in my ears. She doesn’t see the point of most toys, but has a love affair with a mighty tuff pig, nearly the same size as herself! </p>
<p>Layla is also a resource guarder, with food aggression. Layla’s food aggression has been a challenge for us. But she is tremendously predictable, which is the only reason we can maintain all 3 dogs and the cat. </p>
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<p>We started by teaching her to go to her crate at mealtimes…which she now uses, by the way, to try and manipulate us into extra mealtimes! Layla being a pig in her soul, took to this idea with impressive enthusiasm, learning even to pull an unlatched crate door open and put herself away faster. She will, once inside, protect her crate from any of the other pets. This includes our cat. Layla must be crated with space, and preferably not looking directly at one of the other dogs, or she can terrorize them into refusing their own food. But if I put a cat carrier in her crate’s place, she will try to get in. Failing that, she goes for the nearest crate, and puts herself in there. </p>
<p>Once Layla is in her crate, we can proceed with feeding the dogs, and she will stay in there. She has learned that attempting to leave the crate means she won’t be fed. We no longer have to latch the door for mealtime, but she does require a mat in front of her crate to sop up the dribble, as she hangs her head out just a little the better to eyeball the procedure. </p>
<p>The other important thing that we have taught her is that people control food. This has been a long term project, with lots of tweaking, and will continue to be a project for Layla’s whole life. </p>
<p>She has had several serious incidents with Lita over the years. When I make mistakes, like moving her crate just before mealtime, or forgetting to get her indoors before opening the food bin, she fights with Lita. Lita’s forelegs are crossed with scars, but there have actually not been very many incidents considering how long she’s been with us, and most of those happened either during a time when I was injured or immediately after a move, when her crate placement wasn’t set in her mind. After any altercation, we separate the dogs until everyone is healed and all stitches have come out. Then, we begin a slow program of reintroductions. We have come to accept, that as Lita ages and Layla’s triggers more apparent that a day will probably come where we must keep them completely separated for Lita’s safety. </p>
<p>Her resource guarding is mostly managed through small things. I don’t hand toys out to the dogs without having a toy for everyone. We manage her play with other dogs very tightly, she’s not allowed to get possessive over a toy, or it goes away. She gets called out of play constantly, to break her attention and focus, and to bring her back into focus on us. We don’t have toys out when she meets a new dog. Toys that she gets possessive at all over are put away for a while. </p>
<p>Layla is calming down as she ages, but she remains a character, a live wire, and a test of my will. She is also funny, charming, and a class-A clown. </p>
<p>She has raised 6 foster puppies and is my right hand in teaching them bite inhibition, good manners, and her whole cadre of tricks. Her last puppy is our own Andre, the foster puppy we kept, in part because he is happy as her minion. The attached LitanLayla5 is of the girls and their first foster puppy. </p>
<p>... And then there's Andre....</p>
<p>My husband and I, and our 2 female pit bulls, began fostering for a local rescue group shortly after the younger one joined our family. We had been researching before adopting her, and once we understood how difficult pit bulls in our area had it, we wanted to help. After fostering 2 wonderful dogs who had unfortunate personality clashes with our youngest, we took a hiatus for a few years. I continued to volunteer for the rescue, and was very excited to learn about a partnership with a local shelter. After 20 years of a 100% euthanasia policy, the shelter agreed to allow stray pit bulls a chance at adoption! We all began spending a lot of time getting ready, training, and being trained for the project. The first weekend of the program I spent the morning in the kennels, talking with the staff and the public visitors, about the program and the breed. Just at the end of the day, I got a call from our president, asking me if we could possibly foster a puppy, just for a little while. A young couple had brought in an 8-week-old puppy because they had learned that the female was pregnant, and despite being counseled that as an owner-surrendered dog the tiny puppy would be destroyed, they signed him over. Now, the staff was by and large excited about the opportunity to adopt out dogs that many of them had loved and cared for but been unable to adopt out, and conspired to keep the little fella out of the system, and tucked him away in the cat room. They grabbed our volunteer, and demanded that we find a way to get him safe. I used all of my wifely wiles, and in a bargain that lasted for nearly 10 years, my husband agreed to fostering if <i>he</i> got to name the pups. Brady Bam Quinn was our first foster puppy, and his forever family, which now includes 2 children who adore him, still send us updates. </p>
<p>Several puppies later, we had finalized the adoption of one I thought we would never find a home perfect for, and taken our traditional month-long break. I had told my foster coordinator that I wanted the Mary Poppins of puppies—practically perfect in every way. She texted me back and told me she had JUST the right one for us. We drove down and picked him up from our president’s workplace on Tuesday night. She had noticed he had a runny nose, but upper respiratory infections are common in the shelters, so we have a policy of just monitoring. On the way home, we discussed a name for him. Based on the size of his feet, we thought he was going to be as big as our previous little black foster puppy, who weighs 100+ lbs now, so we named him Andre, for Andre the Giant. My friend, being told his name, said” Oh! He does look like a seal!”. Then she told us about a movie she’d seen about a seal named Andre. The name fit. He still looks like a seal and his coat color is called seal! </p>
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<p>When I get a new puppy, I bring it to work when I can, for socialization and to avoid pushing the limits of potty training! So the first day after we brought him home, I took him into the office with me. I realized quickly that he was off. He was displaying low energy, excessively tired for his age, and not very interested in food. His symptoms were too strong for over the counter treatment, so we made an appointment for the vet, and got him in the next day. They prescribed antibiotics and cough syrup. Getting pills into puppies is old hat, and I wasn’t worried about medicating him. However, he didn’t want to take the medicines. He started refusing everything we could think of to get his medicine into him. His little body was burning up, his weight was dropping, and his coughing was so horrible. That Monday night was one of the most horrible nights of my life, and I know it was the worst birthday my husband has ever had. In desperation, I used a turkey baster to feed wet food and chicken broth. Tuesday morning I got him to the vet the minute they were open. I cried for days at the drop of a hat, as I learned that the shelter had a distemper outbreak, and that he had pneumonia, and so much more. I called the vet daily, and for a full week, the reports were all the same. He’s on an IV medication, and is hanging in there. Finally, his tests came back negative for distemper, and I could breathe a bit. Then I started getting reports of his cough improving, and eventually, after nearly 2 weeks, he consented to eat on his own. I drove down to the vet’s office and picked him up, bawling the whole way! Literally down to skin and bones, still coughing and very snotty, Andre was a pretty pathetic little guy. I got permission to bring him to work with me, so I could feed him 3 times a day to get his weight up to healthy, and he came into work with me nearly every day for 6 months. </p>
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<p>After such a dramatic first few weeks, the rescue agreed to hold off on listing him for adoption. I wanted to get to know him healthy before trying to match him to a new family. Once he was listed, there were a few people interested but nothing really clicked, and I just didn’t feel right about letting him go. We discussed it one day, and realized Andre was already home. He adores my cranky younger female pit bull, and spends an inordinate amount of time expressing his undying devotion. He thinks my 13 year old pit bull is a puppy, and, since she agrees with his age assessment they have a splendid time wrestling like littermates! He thinks the sun rises & sets on my whim, and my husband is the coolest guy ever. He’s the only dog we’ve ever had that <i>loves</i> my cat.</p>
<p>He loves many people, and enjoys doing events with me, as an alumni for the rescue…. but you only get 1 chance to make a good impression. People who pat him on the head to start with get a disgusted look, he walks to someone who knows how to properly pat a dog, and he solicits attention while looking pointedly at the patter. Scratch his butt, stroke his shoulders or chest, and you have a friend for life. </p>
<p>Andre is extremely sensitive by nature. Any handling and training has to be done hands-off and with only rewards-based techniques. He’s got the fastest shut-down I have ever seen, and this has done wonders for my handling skills! </p>
<p>Helping him learn confidence has been my joy! We work on building his confidence by playing games with things that make him nervous. He’s an avid disc-chaser, so he’s done lots of events with a disc in his mouth, like a pacifier. He’s confident in my ability and desire to protect him, so I am his security-human, which is something I work to protect. </p>
<p>He’s not a morning dog, and since I am not a morning human, he occasionally feels too emo to get out of bed without me, even with the other dogs going out for potty and breakfast time. My husband, used to our less-sensitive girls, tried to evict him from the bed, and got pee on our bed, his socks, the carpet, and in a trail down the hallway for his pains (yelling at Andre also results in puddles). Andre was nervous about slipping on the floors when we moved into our home, and for weeks we had to install a slip-proof rug down the length of the hallway and lure him out of our room with treats. He peed in our bedroom, after slipping halfway down the hall, and running back to the security of our room. </p>
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<p>After his time at the vet clinic, it was impossible to trim his nails, as he’d be literally screaming and thrashing so hard we worried about him hurting himself. His nails are hard and black, and so I decided to teach him to handle his own pedicures. He uses a scratchboard for his front paws, and we’ve finally gotten to where I can trim his dewclaws. </p>
<p>Andre loves kiddie pools, and “swims” in puddles, lying down & rolling to get wet all over, then paddling with his front paws. He plays happily with toys by himself, if he can’t lure anyone else into the game, he loves wrestling giant ropes. He wanted tug of war games to continue after he yanked the toy away, and taught himself to bring it back. Now, he will put toys in your hand to play…or your mouth if you don’t make eye contact fast enough.</p>
<p>>His blend of smart and sensitive makes him fun, but challenging! He's high octane, a perpetual wiggle machine, and the best snuggler when he's tired. </p>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-25326270921754930772014-10-21T17:24:00.001-04:002014-10-21T17:24:26.442-04:00<p><i>In honor of Pit Bull Awareness Month, Pit Bull Rescue Central's volunteers are sharing the stories of how their pit bulls became part of their families. PBRC envisions a compassionate world where pit bulls and pit bull mixes reside in responsible, loving homes and where their honor and positive image is restored and preserved.</i></p>
<p><b>Sunshine of My Life – by Liz Henderson </b></p>
<p>By the time we bought our first house including our first yard, our first dog, KC, was 6 years old. KC was a “BBD,” a big black dog. Though he reached 112 lbs at his heaviest, his little rose ears and petite terrier feet led us to believe he was a pit bull mix. We never faced any discrimination or issues having KC because everyone else just saw a black Lab. Once I had my house and fenced yard, I was ready to become the crazy dog lady I had always hoped to become. I started looking at the online dog listings. KC went to daycare, so he was great with other dogs and all I really knew was that I wanted a large female dog with a “smooshy face.” KC really liked girls with smooshy faces. So we found a good candidate with a local rescue, and on a Saturday in February we set out for an adoption event to meet our future dogchild.>/p>
<p>Upon arrival, KC knew what was up. Despite having a blast at daycare, he immediately decided that having another dog in <i>his</i> new house – sharing <i>his</i> new yard – was not going to be cool. I assume he was envisioning our already full sofa when we sat at both ends and he spread out across the middle. We introduced him to the first girl we came to meet. Nope! Our friendly BBD was having none of her. OK, well that was strange, he is usually so friendly with other dogs. Let’s meet this other girl, she looks nice! Oh, you don’t like her either, huh? Ok, well who <i>do</i> you like? After meeting 6 adult female dogs, all of whom were perfectly nice, I started to fear that my dreams of becoming a crazy dog lady might be ending before they began. KC was making it clear that he did not want to take home any of these girls and was not going to make this easy for us. </p>
<p>So feeling down, we were preparing to leave the adoption event. On the way out, we passed some crates with a few puppies. KC stopped at one crate and sniffed the little puppy inside like crazy. Then he pounced! He went in to play bow and wagged his tail like a windshield wiper. The puppy pawed at him through the crate and he whined in response. We had only considered adult dogs because there are so many that need homes, but if KC wanted a baby dog, then so be it! I opened the crate and pulled out the little red, golden-eyed, nearly hairless creature. She was a girl! A bit of mange and a URI, but that was nothing we couldn’t deal with. </p>
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<p>The rescue group explained to us “You know this is a purebred rednose pit bull, right?” Well, no, we didn’t, but that’s ok. I mean, she is a puppy. With us as parents, it is not like she is going to become “one of <i>those</i> pit bulls!” We listened to all their concerns about placing a pit bull, making sure that we understood the risks and responsibilities. We signed an addendum to the adoption application that had special rules for pit bulls, such as never leaving them outside alone, even in a fenced yard. I honestly thought this was a bit overboard, but I kept those thoughts to myself. We got to meet her littermates and even her dad. We were told that they were confiscated from a drug and dogfight bust and that the mother was already dead when police arrived. That was my first introduction to the horrors and realities of dogfighting. The dad was friendly with people and playful with his pups, so that made me feel positive about her prospects to be a good dog. </p>
<p>We got her the following afternoon after she was spayed. I told family and friends that she was an American Staffordshire Terrier and rarely used the words “pit bull.” We named her Sunshine so that she and KC might someday form a band. She went by Sunny and each day she embodied the spirit of her name. I fell deeply in love with this amazing creature. Her goofiness, loving nature, and joie de vivre were like nothing I had ever seen in another dog. Life was grand for us and our undercover pit bull—travel, adventures, and training…</p>
<p>…until one day, I read an online article about a pit bull ban in another county in my state. “Are you kidding me?! Is that even legal? How can do they do that?!” I researched more and discovered that this was not just some reactionary Southern thing—pit bull bans were all over the country, in major cities and rural areas. And if you had a pit bull and they passed a ban, someone might come take your dog from you! Well, friends, <i>that</i> was not going to happen. </p>
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<p>That day changed everything. It was then that I decided I had to get involved to make sure that Sunny was never in danger of being taken and that dogs like Sunny would be protected.
I started following websites that tracked breed-specific legislation and started volunteering with a local pit bull rescue. I learned that not only were pit bulls under threat from BSL and dogfighting, but from overbreeding and overpopulation. Somehow I had no idea that millions of “Sunnys” were suffering and being abused. It was frustrating. I kept meeting other people with pit bulls who also did not know about BSL, the prevalence of dogfighting and the high euthanasia rate for pit bulls. I also learned about how often pit bulls are stolen and how they are always blamed when dogs get in to a skirmish at a dog park. Now I understood why the rescue was so concerned about who they adopted pit bulls to and why they felt they needed special rules for them. I wanted to find a way to reach more pit bull owners and organize them so that they had access to this information. </p>
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<p>So I started Atlanta Pit Bull Parents, to serve as an educational and social resource for pit bull parents. I proudly proclaimed myself to be a pit bull owner to everyone I knew, as well as on my car, and most days on my clothing. I continued in pit bull rescue locally and became a volunteer for PBRC. Now Sunny is 11. She has gone through several surgeries and is a cancer survivor. The issues facing pit bulls and their owners are just as serious now as they were all those years ago. But I like to think that because of this one little pit bull, we have made life better for many more. </p>
<p></P>
<p>___________________________________</p>
<p>Visit PBRC for more information about the work we do.</p>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-79061468099770372122014-10-19T21:29:00.001-04:002014-10-19T21:30:38.670-04:00PBRC Volunteers and Their Dogs: Karen and Jackson<p><i>In honor of Pit Bull Awareness Month, Pit Bull Rescue Central's volunteers are sharing the stories of how their pit bulls became part of their families. PBRC envisions a compassionate world where pit bulls and pit bull mixes reside in responsible, loving homes and where their honor and positive image is restored and preserved.</i></p>
<p><b>After the Panic: An Adoption Story, by Karen Stein</b></p>
<p>While sitting in the lobby of the veterinarian office down the road from the shelter, waiting for the dog I’d just adopted to get the rabies shot that would allow me to take him home, I flipped through breed books to get to know more about what to expect from this American staffordshire. When I saw the classification “pit bull” screaming at me from the page, I may have stopped breathing in a flash of panic. I knew nothing about pit bulls at that time—including, clearly, that American staffordshires were among them—except for what I’d heard on the news, and I had no idea what I was supposed to do with this dog that (in my mind) had the potential to be a monster. </p>
<p>While still at the shelter trying to find the dog I wanted to take home, I'd thought him to be particularly odd as we sat in the shelter’s greeting room and tried to get to know each other. While the other dogs I’d met were bouncy and licky and jumpy, he just sat quietly and stared at me intently, as if he were waiting for me to say something hilarious or otherwise entertain him. I handed the leash back to staff and told them I wanted to keep looking. But every time I paged through the binder of doggie profiles, I kept pausing at his photo before I realized it was that same extraordinarily mellow dog from earlier. Finally I accepted that I had to see him again. But this time when he came sauntering back into the room, he was carrying a bowl in his mouth—apparently the thing he always did when let out to play. This time his weirdness was so endearing that there was no way I was leaving without him. </p>
<p>For a fleeting moment in the vet’s waiting room, I had the thought that there was no way I was taking him home. It’s easy to become angry at statements like that, and of course I wish I'd known then what I know now, but at that time I'd never known anyone who owned a pit bull, and never interacted with one as far as I knew. My knowledge of pit bulls had been shaped entirely by the anti-pit bull media noise machine.</p>
<p>I did take him home, though. Admittedly, for the first month or so I was acutely aware of how leery of him I was. He played rough—his kind of play was to do an airborne 360-degree spin into a hip-check into me, to whip his plush toys all around and against the ground until the squeakers and fuzz came flying out and left a toy duck murder scene on the living room floor—a kind of play I’d never seen in any dogs I’d owned previously.</p>
<p>After hearing the inevitable suggestions that I take him back—“he’s going to snap, and you’ll be sorry”—I rejected them, knowing that returning him to the shelter would not make me a better person nor, more importantly, him a better dog. I knew there was nothing wrong with him, I just didn’t understand him, and in that way I was failing him. I became a member of the pit bull listserv managed by PBRC volunteers to get information and advice, share my experiences, and trade funny stories. I enrolled him in obedience classes. I quickly learned that the dog park was not a place where we could succeed, where we would both be comfortable and welcome, and so I stopped taking him there. But for as much as I hated each sidelong glance or utterance of distrust directed at my dog based on no more than his body type and the structure of his face, I enjoyed witnessing just how much he was letting down these people by not meeting their behavioral expectations of him.</p>
<p>He’s just a goofy little kid (so little that I’m often told “he’ll be so big when he’s full grown” by people who don’t realize he’s 7). He nearly insists that everyone who passes says hello to him. He waves goodbye. When he’s not whipping the stuffing out of them, from time to time he arranges his toys. He follows the sun around the house until it is just his front paws in the day’s last bits of warmth.</p>
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<p>I adopted Jackson in 2008, and he has since become my heart dog, a 40-pound mix of energy and empathy. He went with me when I moved from Chicago to Mexico and then from Mexico to Michigan, and all along the way, he has done what he does best—change people’s minds about pit bulls.</p>
<p></p>
<p>___________________________________</P>
<p>Visit PBRC for more information about the work we do.</p>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-1422086275809429722014-10-16T22:14:00.000-04:002014-10-16T22:14:44.717-04:00PBRC's Volunteers and Their Dogs: Amanda, Samantha, Syndey, and Murphy<p><i>In honor of Pit Bull Awareness Month, Pit Bull Rescue Central's volunteers are sharing the stories of how their pit bulls became part of their families. PBRC envisions a compassionate world where pit bulls and pit bull mixes reside in responsible, loving homes and where their honor and positive image is restored and preserved.</i></p>
<p><b>A Crew of Therapy Dogs, by Amanda Clase</b></p>
<p>In June 2009, I was suddenly introduced to the world of pit bulls. My mom was driving to work and saw a huge black and white pit bull sitting on the side of the road. We already had four family dogs between the two of us so she passed by hoping someone else would stop for the dog. Her heart got the better of her however and she returned to the spot about 40 minutes later to find the dog had not moved an inch. She seemed to be waiting for someone. When my mom invited her to come home, the dog jumped into the back of the car and waited to be chauffeured into her new life.</p>
<p>We decided that since I only had one dog living with me, that the one and a half year old pit bull would stay with me until her owner could be found. She and Samantha, my 9-month-old ‘pitador’ (lab/pit bull mix) instantly became fast friends and I fell completely in love with her before the first day was done. Not surprisingly, her owner who had likely dumped her on that road never came to claim her and Sydney became a permanent family member.</p>
<p>I knew nothing about the breed and made no attempt to do any research since I felt all dogs were basically the same. This blissful ignorance came crashing down on me, however, when later that year I decided to move to Denver, Colorado, to go back to school. Talking to a Denver cab driver on the way back to the airport, I was devastated to learn that pit bulls were illegal in Denver. Back home I started doing my research and learned the horrors of breed-specific legislation. I had already accepted the studentship in Denver but quickly made arrangements to live in the neighboring city of Aurora so I could legally keep my dogs.</p>
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<p>After a few years, I decided that therapy work would be a great way to showcase pit bulls in a positive light and joined a local organization that held training classes in Denver. I couldn’t bring Sydney to the classes, but Samantha looked lab-enough that I could sneak her in. The organization also didn’t agree with the breed ban and agreed to let me train Sydney at home and the evaluator would come outside of Denver when the time came for the girls to take their final exam. Both girls passed with flying colors and we were all ready to start visiting.</p>
<p>The organization had an agreement with a hospice facility outside Denver city limits but before I was able to start visiting, my father passed away unexpectedly and the hospice facility felt it was unwise for anyone to volunteer if they’d had a recent loss of their own.
Soon after, I finished my education and moved on to Montana to further my career. I also decided to make another addition to my family and adopted Murphy a 9 week old pit bull puppy. Over the next year, I trained and socialized Murphy as much as I could and again decided that it was time to pursue therapy work with the dogs.</p>
<p>In July 2006, I drove an hour and a half to a Delta Society evaluation with Samantha and Sydney, now 8 years old, and 18-month-old Murphy. Sydney was the first to be evaluated and after we finished the last test, the evaluator turned to his volunteer helpers and said “Now that is what a pit bull is supposed to be like! Next time you hear anything bad about this breed, remember what you saw here today!” Samantha and Murphy also passed with flying colors that same day. We spent the next couple of years visiting a local retirement home and Murphy visited the University of Montana for their “Stress-Less” events for the students.</p>
<p>I will never forget our very first therapy visit. I had made arrangements with the retirement home to start their therapy dog program. Since they never asked, I didn’t offer the breed of dog I’d be bringing; I just gave their Delta qualifications. One can imagine their surprise when I walked in with this huge black and white pit bull when they were expecting the more typical “family” dog. The residents were waiting in the lobby for our first visit and Sydney immediately planted her huge head in the lap of the first person she saw. The woman was ecstatic and laughed and petted her, much to Sydney’s delight. Suddenly Sydney looked behind her and as I turned I saw a woman leaning forward from her wheelchair to pet Sydney’s back. She never said a word and only made that single stroke, but I saw tears in the eyes of every staff member in the room. I was told later that this woman had been at the home for five years and had never once made any effort to reach out to anyone until she stroked Sydney’s back.</p>
<p>All my pit bulls were welcomed there from that point on. Sadly, over the next few years, Samantha and Sydney’s health deteriorated and by 2010, I had lost both of them.
Murphy continued on their great work for seven years. He was a favorite at the Virginia hospital we most recently volunteered at. In the emergency room, he had what was dubbed “The Murphy Effect”: big macho EMT’s would fall to the floor squealing like little girls at the opportunity to pet and play with Murphy. I can’t begin to count all the times patients or visitors have told me “This is the first time I’ve ever petted a pit bull”.</p>
<p>One evening while passing through an empty waiting room, we heard a door open behind us. I didn’t think anything of it until Murphy suddenly turned and was determined to go back. A woman was coming out of the restroom obviously very upset. The sight of Murphy heading her way caused a small smile and she knelt down to greet him. She sat on the floor for several minutes with him in her lap (all 65lbs of him) talking to him and stroking him, rarely saying a word to me. Eventually, her tears started again and embarrassed she hid her face in his neck and kissed him before getting up to leave. Murphy absolutely knows who needs his special kind of therapy the most and this woman definitely needed him at that moment.</p>
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<p>Murphy’s comical, joyful expression and the little socks he wore to provide him traction on the slick hospital floors enticed folks to invite him over and gave me the opportunity to educate people on the reality of the breed. However, it is his personality and love of his work that has changed more minds than I ever will.</p>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-64651255107583872282014-10-13T19:26:00.000-04:002014-10-13T19:26:21.347-04:00PBRC's Volunteers and Their Dogs: Jeanne and Annie<p><i>In honor of Pit Bull Awareness Month, Pit Bull Rescue Central's volunteers are sharing the stories of how their pit bulls became part of their families. PBRC envisions a compassionate world where pit bulls and pit bull mixes reside in responsible, loving homes and where their honor and positive image is restored and preserved.</i></p>
<p><b>Annie: My Joyful Spirit Guide, by Jeanne Posner</b></p>
<p>In June of 2011, I found myself in a dark place. In one year, I had a near fatal heart attack and had to say goodbye to both my sweet boys, Odie and Junior. I found myself browsing Petfinder.com as looking at dogs always lifted my spirits—at least a little—that June. A good friend suggested I check out the section of Rose Hope Animal Rescue on Petfinder, a wonderful rescue group in Connecticut. So, I started looking through their photos. Honestly, I wasn't sure I was ready to embrace a new dog yet, but my life and home surely felt empty without a fur baby. I found that I was specifically looking for pit bull. I had fallen head over heels in love with them while volunteering at the Humane Society near my Connecticut home.</p>
<p>A photo appeared and I stopped and stared at it for at least 20 minutes. I couldn't stop looking into this dog's eyes (she was looking right at the person taking her photo so it appeared as if she was looking right into my eyes as well). I went back to that photo at least a dozen times, so it became clear to me that I wanted to give that dog with the piercing eyes a home. I filled out the online application form and a month later Rose Hope informed me that I was approved. I was excited by this news! So, in July 2011, I went to meet Annie.</p>
<p>I walked into the adoption event and gave my name and said I was there to find out if Annie and I were a match. They said, "She's right there—why don't you walk her around the store?" (The event took place in Petsmart). I wasn't sure where the woman was pointing, so she took my elbow and walked me the approximately two feet to where this gorgeous pittie mix was wagging her entire body. I knelt down and Annie curled up in a C shape against my body and started kissing my face. I was in love—but didn't yet realize I had hit the adoption jackpot.</p>
<p>Annie was rescued from people who were using her as a breeder dog. They took her from her mama much to soon, and bred her too soon as well. They didn’t' love her or treat her well in any way—she was a commodity to them. I asked the Rose Hope volunteer how Annie could be SO full of joy and love...she replied that Annie had been with a wonderful foster mom for several months who helped her come to trust people again. So, Annie and I went home together.</p>
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<p>Every day since, she has proven to be the most joyful spirit I've ever known—human, canine, any kind. Her zest for life inspires me every day. She holds no bitterness toward anyone for the way she was so mistreated during her first two years of life. She is still a bit fearful of certain other dogs (why wouldn't she be?) although she instantly loved her sister Darla in our new home in Vermont. Having the honor of being Annie's human guardian led me to get much more involved advocating for pit bulls. It also helped lead me out of the dark place I had been stuck in for a long time.</p>
<p>Of course, I will always miss all the dogs and cats I loved and had to say goodbye to. But Annie—who charms everyone she meets—is a special soul. She touches me in a deep place and makes me laugh every day. As I said, I hit the jackpot. And I will fight with all the energy I have to stop loving pitties from being misrepresented, misunderstood and abused. I will fight—with Annie by my side—until they all have a home.</p><p></p>
___________________________________
<p>Visit PBRC for more information about the work we do.</p>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-3305302129488820632014-10-07T20:40:00.000-04:002014-10-07T20:40:52.635-04:00PBRC's Volunteers and Their Dogs: Stephanie and Wilbur (and Moby!)
<p><i>In honor of Pit Bull Awareness Month, Pit Bull Rescue Central's volunteers are sharing the stories of how their pit bulls became part of their families. PBRC envisions a compassionate world where pit bulls and pit bull mixes reside in responsible, loving homes and where their honor and positive image is restored and preserved.</i></p>
<p><b>Moby (hearts) Wilbur! </b>—by Stephanie Feldstein</p>
<p>When I brought Wilbur home, I didn't know he was the one. The local humane society had called and asked if I'd be willing to foster him. They adopted out pit bulls, but had a limit on how many could be up for adoption at any one time. They were already full and had at least half a dozen young, friendly pit bulls waiting for their shot at a home. This one was older, and he had some cuts on his face that might deter adopters.</p>
<p>I agreed to meet him. I brought my pit bull Moby with me to the shelter. My three girls—two shepherd mixes and one pit bull—had been through dozens of fosters with me over the years, so I knew they could handle the new routine, whether this one fit into the household or had to be rotated with other dogs. But I'd had Moby for less than a year and wanted to get an impression of how they'd react to each other.</p>
<p>When we arrived at the shelter, I put Moby into an outdoor playpen and waited for them to bring out the hard-to-adopt dog. Two volunteers emerged from the kennels, each with a separate leash around the dog's thick neck. The dog, a nameless stray at the time, trotted along with his tail wagging, oblivious to their tension. I knew I had to get him out of there. He and Moby greeted each other well, played a little on their leashes, and I took him home.</p>
<p>I started taking Wilbur to adoption events with a local pit bull rescue group. When adopters checked him out, I was happy that he was getting the attention—he really was a good dog and deserved the second chance. He listened well and adored people, an older dog who was still playful. He was good with my dogs and cats, and had plenty of silly pit bull charm. But at the same time, I started to wonder if these potential adopters could handle him -- especially his separation anxiety and small but powerful destructive streak when left alone. I found myself rejecting them before they even applied...but it didn't matter, because even though a few people said they were interested, he never got any applications at the end of the day.</p>
<p>Wilbur was well-behaved in his crate at events, but started breaking out of his crate at home. At first it was kind of funny— I'd wake up to find him standing proudly on my bed, happy to see everyone. But then one night I came home from a movie and he was trapped halfway out of the wire door. That was the last time I left him alone in a crate. Instead, he had his own room in my house when I went out, which wasn't that often since I worked from home now.</p>
<p>About four adoption events into his foster care, something had changed in my house. Moby had decided Wilbur was the one—and I mean The One. They spent their days following each other around and finding new creative ways to cuddle to get as close as possible. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyYNcDtRh0QATdl5zqmhH1M14CYQMJqzTQWUD0a2augJxrwr8t5BI5Xca68OTQ_HvLzFHHELakK2GB6UvcAw8P-GAcXhMpbjh_0ecVSA1289TIuIXFglKQbsYrEcGv7vnjPtKMkeI4bU/s1600/MobyWilbur2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyYNcDtRh0QATdl5zqmhH1M14CYQMJqzTQWUD0a2augJxrwr8t5BI5Xca68OTQ_HvLzFHHELakK2GB6UvcAw8P-GAcXhMpbjh_0ecVSA1289TIuIXFglKQbsYrEcGv7vnjPtKMkeI4bU/s320/MobyWilbur2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzta7VufYinhqqrZQ_3YiLYpY-mi-lD7etKXqZiwU0XvENwY2WFw13cBLnMsUu0pJWVkWrJ3OuKBdG3ow-wurMIoxzTLyRcdLLAbYtd4vdDSNJYHQyaWkaQT8LACAWmhtSkOOtq06bHM/s1600/MobyWilbur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzta7VufYinhqqrZQ_3YiLYpY-mi-lD7etKXqZiwU0XvENwY2WFw13cBLnMsUu0pJWVkWrJ3OuKBdG3ow-wurMIoxzTLyRcdLLAbYtd4vdDSNJYHQyaWkaQT8LACAWmhtSkOOtq06bHM/s320/MobyWilbur.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>I tried to imagine the perfect adopter for him. Someone who didn't have to leave him for long periods and could deal with his separation anxiety when they did go out. Someone who would be consistent with him and could manage him—he was a strong dog, and the more he settled in with my dogs, the less he liked new dogs. And, of course, it had to be someone who loved him. </p>
<p>It occurred to me that I kept describing my situation and my home as the perfect place for him, so I stopped taking him to adoption events and took down his PBRC listing. If he wasn't right for me, I would've kept him listed, but Wilbur had grown on me by then, more than previous foster dogs. And there was no way I could tear him and Moby apart.</p>
<p></P>
<p>___________________________________</p>
<p>Visit <a href="http://pbrc.net/">PBRC</a> for more information about the work we do.</p>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-61438731012844196062014-10-05T11:30:00.000-04:002014-10-05T12:44:41.340-04:00PBRC's Volunteers and Their Dogs: Nikki and Reggie
<p><i>In honor of Pit Bull Awareness Month, Pit Bull Rescue Central's volunteers are sharing the stories of how their pit bulls became part of their families. PBRC envisions a compassionate world where pit bulls and pit bull mixes reside in responsible, loving homes and where their honor and positive image is restored and preserved.</i></p>
<p><b>The Story of Reggie</b>—by Nikki Halip</p>
<p>I was not looking to adopt another pit bull. I still wasn't doing well after losing my best friend even though it had been well over a year. However, after leaving L.A., I moved to a small beach community to start another chapter in my life. I decided to volunteer with a local rescue group that partnered with a pet store that held adoption events. As I entered the back of the shop, all I could hear were dogs barking, crying and howling. As I made my way around, I noticed one particular dog that just sat there looking very stoic; no barking, no fussing, no jumping. I wanted to take him out for a walk but was advised it would not be a good idea because he was a rough, tough, uncontrollable boy who had absolutely no training. I wanted to know, then, why was he at the adoption event? I was told it was just a way of getting him out of the kennel because he had already been there 2-1/2 years waiting for a home but sadly was always overlooked because of no training and how formidable his looks were.</p>
<p>I learned he was tossed out of a truck on a two-lane highway. A lady watering her garden saw the incident and called the police/rescue group, advising them that the dog was frantically running down the freeway after the truck. The rescue took almost three days. The husband/wife team who finally found him in the bushes named him Reggie after the NFL player Reggie Bush.</p>
<p>I insisted on taking him out. I noticed a bench, sat down and asked him to join me. He laid his big body against me and let out a pitiful sighed. I knew he was emotionally shutdown. He never wagged his tail nor did he ever make eye contact. I can't begin to describe how I felt but knew he needed to get out from under, and I made a commitment to him on the bench. I was so surprised when he gazed up at me. He knew. I was confident that together we could make this work because I worked from home which would enable me to be with him. House check and adoption application were approved.</p>
<p>The day I picked him up at the kennel is a day I will never forget. He remembered me when they brought him out and he literally dragged the guy towards me! He still had the raw sores on his face and I asked what they were from. Apparently, since his ball was his only source of comfort all those years, when he got to go into the gravel pen, he just ran and ran after his ball, hence the open sores on his face. Talk about a tough guy! As I he pulled me to my car, I told him he will never see a kennel again.</p>
<p>I took him to the vet the day after and was told he was underweight, his tail was broken in 3 areas, both ears were infected, and he had kennel cough and tested positive for giardia. The vet also told me his teeth were either filed down or they were worn down from gnawing on the kennel bars.</p>
<p></p>
<center><p><i><b>Reggie Before</i></b><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrgce39DI_BjRvHWziqW6QBu8r9xKHz0N-AbNbjRUiy6YfetDQtc3Nt2bx6acw-PlaDykYLO5BpeNeYy7D7B53AosYtMNcI8yXuWBMJ_6huakVp9SB9jtEUGBchCjhiiVf34YFRfEBN8/s1600/Reggie+Before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrgce39DI_BjRvHWziqW6QBu8r9xKHz0N-AbNbjRUiy6YfetDQtc3Nt2bx6acw-PlaDykYLO5BpeNeYy7D7B53AosYtMNcI8yXuWBMJ_6huakVp9SB9jtEUGBchCjhiiVf34YFRfEBN8/s320/Reggie+Before.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></p></center>
<p>It took me almost a year to fully house train him. It was an incredible challenge but I never gave up on him. Little by little, he came out of his shell. I put him on the “no free lunch” program, which worked wonders. Because Reggie was so food motivated, he caught on real quick and really enjoyed our training sessions. Although he still has loads of issues with other unfamiliar dogs, he is such a gentleman with my grandchildren. He loves all people. After two long years, he started vocalizing, running around the yard, doing zoomies in the house, throwing toys up in the air. Finally there came the day he wanted to cuddle on the couch. To this day, his ball is always beside him.</p>
<p>He truly is my best pal, and I often wonder who saved who. Reggie has given me such joy and happiness that words can never express.</p>
<p></p>
<center><p><i><b>Reggie After</i></b><br><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdU7sTz3_8rfct9Esrg2L-_PBqnq63ER1u8JWUN0Diag7ykPTIHkW9FIxxMpe83AYdPyQLutmyNQ_m_FnItqDgjxL5QwkkBy6Ipq-TBdqG3vB70L4cSyaEw74TvZIjnMBsnfNDipLayo/s1600/Reggie+After.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdU7sTz3_8rfct9Esrg2L-_PBqnq63ER1u8JWUN0Diag7ykPTIHkW9FIxxMpe83AYdPyQLutmyNQ_m_FnItqDgjxL5QwkkBy6Ipq-TBdqG3vB70L4cSyaEw74TvZIjnMBsnfNDipLayo/s320/Reggie+After.jpg" /></a></div></p></center>
<p></P>
<p>___________________________________</p>
<p>Visit <a href="http://pbrc.net/">PBRC</a> for more information about the work we do.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-18802987402943433252014-08-01T17:28:00.000-04:002014-08-01T17:34:02.210-04:00Photo Submissions Open for Happy Endings 2015!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3d4RUg-mt0ra5t12gTRdfIA56zDzp1D4eSEhHuJrXXwvnhin37V7ge3sHOJ2VvayYHUlMBDcJH5rDjWeNnwe8_heGZchJcGgfFwRdP06Hnt7ZVE9i4vuitKC4CQpnpbLTSAM7lnN1fXQ/s1600/HE15+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3d4RUg-mt0ra5t12gTRdfIA56zDzp1D4eSEhHuJrXXwvnhin37V7ge3sHOJ2VvayYHUlMBDcJH5rDjWeNnwe8_heGZchJcGgfFwRdP06Hnt7ZVE9i4vuitKC4CQpnpbLTSAM7lnN1fXQ/s1600/HE15+banner.jpg" height="249" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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<b>PBRC Is Now Accepting Photo Submissions for the Happy
Endings 2015 Calendar! </b></div>
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<b> </b></div>
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Do you think your rescued pit bull was meant to be a
calendar girl or boy? Can you picture your pup as Mr. March or Ms. May? PBRC is
offering the chance to share your rescued pit bull with the world! </div>
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We are opening submissions for PBRC's 2015 Happy Endings
Calendar! Since 2002, PBRC’s Happy Endings calendar—our all-dog calendar—has filled
12 months with wonderful color photographs of good-looking, charming, and
active rescued pit bulls along with accurate breed information and
heart-warming stories of rescue! </div>
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PBRC is accepting photo submissions now through August 31, 2014. </div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>What kinds of photos are we looking for? </b></span></span></h3>
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<b> </b> </div>
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Here are some examples of pages from the 2014 calendar:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sK75x8HWIbCGIOhIT-5vtENqCrKE47rY2vCnK-3DbL3lH9hpGzCbexs-qYjQN_m04F9EY4M65US7l1S3ZkJLi1YIjzPHYAdG8YMJMo-BD7QCr0Zj6LGJYGxJuepaP0ZK_TwMfiT1HZc/s1600/HE+sample+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sK75x8HWIbCGIOhIT-5vtENqCrKE47rY2vCnK-3DbL3lH9hpGzCbexs-qYjQN_m04F9EY4M65US7l1S3ZkJLi1YIjzPHYAdG8YMJMo-BD7QCr0Zj6LGJYGxJuepaP0ZK_TwMfiT1HZc/s1600/HE+sample+2.jpg" height="207" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2u6W_tZY6QlfyW23XskhNOgzM2Vn_F8AXk5hfvy7Zo39o7xsZY5pBHa4zlIC_i4XLPtwWJ2dCMJ63mIEf7fMAZCtPNe27NbRkR2DRNS3ra4ZxWX36HDyOGBgkdhtFJ9w-A28u8hthvNM/s1600/HE+sample+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2u6W_tZY6QlfyW23XskhNOgzM2Vn_F8AXk5hfvy7Zo39o7xsZY5pBHa4zlIC_i4XLPtwWJ2dCMJ63mIEf7fMAZCtPNe27NbRkR2DRNS3ra4ZxWX36HDyOGBgkdhtFJ9w-A28u8hthvNM/s1600/HE+sample+3.jpg" height="207" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Photo Requirements</span></b></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Minimum 150-300 DPI<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Minimum 1725 X 1350
resolution </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Scanned photos must meet
the same DPI/resolution requirements as digital photos.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">High-quality digital
images of </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">RESC</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">UED dogs only.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Selection Criteria</b></span></span></span></h3>
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</span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">Rescued pit bulls
depicted only</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">Clear, focused pictures
with good contrast (sharp, clean edges; not blurry or dark)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">Colorful background (for
example: flowers, beach, forest, snow, tapestries, flags, parks, etc.)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">NO "red/blue
flash" eyes</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">Color photos (however,
exceptional black and white photos may be accepted)</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: "Wingdings 2";"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">Nice, friendly
expression (like a big pit bull "smile")</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">Horizontal/landscape
orientation preferred (exceptional vertical photos will be accepted)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">Dogs that were selected
for the 2014 calendar are not eligible for the 2015 calendar.</span></strong></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Entry fees are as follows: </div>
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1 photo: $7.50</div>
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3 photos: $15</div>
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6 photos: $25</div>
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<input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="7LFJ57ADA2XXG">
<table>
<tr><td><input type="hidden" name="on0" value="Number of Photos">Number of Photos</td></tr><tr><td><select name="os0">
<option value="(1) Photo">(1) Photo $7.50 USD</option>
<option value="(3) Photos">(3) Photos $15.00 USD</option>
<option value="(6) Photos">(6) Photos $25.00 USD</option>
</select> </td></tr>
</table>
<input type="hidden" name="currency_code" value="USD">
<input type="image" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_buynowCC_LG.gif" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">
<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">
</form><div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-77344208554532222532014-05-22T10:29:00.000-04:002014-06-06T18:12:42.738-04:00PBRC's People's Choice Calendar 2015 Now Accepting Submissions!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2fO29Ch9j6xFGrb8rh6dNcCOQLSDeJjIt6Bg-KVOIOBJycwo0eIsW4iaxL-Dh5YVS1zU-7MJjjcwFnHo3tFqiKHlzrJzWXCdv9qiFMsa0lAkkYxZw6mRkj4L3ZyOqU5ugLFdLO93T5E/s1600/PeoplesChoice15_banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2fO29Ch9j6xFGrb8rh6dNcCOQLSDeJjIt6Bg-KVOIOBJycwo0eIsW4iaxL-Dh5YVS1zU-7MJjjcwFnHo3tFqiKHlzrJzWXCdv9qiFMsa0lAkkYxZw6mRkj4L3ZyOqU5ugLFdLO93T5E/s1600/PeoplesChoice15_banner.jpg" height="97" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey, Pit Bull People! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s time to dust off all those pit bull pix in your photo
files and see which ones would you think were destined for a calendar page! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
PBRC is now welcoming submissions to our annual People's
Choice Pit Bull Calendar online <a href="https://www.360photocontest.com/246">photo contest</a>. PBRC is looking for photographs of your pit bull, be it an action
shot, a funny moment, a handsome pose, or a contemplative photo in the midst of
some beautiful scenery! Submit photos that show your grinners and goofballs, your
clowns and camera hams, in action or at rest—whether by themselves, with people,
or with other pets. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a minimum entry fee of $10 per submission. You also
have the option to donate more to PBRC with each submission. <b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Submission close date is June 29. Voting closes June 30.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This $10, $25, or $50 donation—and the funds raised from
voting ($1/vote)—supports PBRC’s listing and screening services to help pit
bulls find loving, responsible homes; our spay and neuter fund; and our financial
aid fund for life-saving medical treatment. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All submitted photos will be viewed and enjoyed by thousands
of voters who will select the favorites. The 13 most popular photos will be
published in the 2015 People's Choice Pit Bull calendar—and the photo that gets
the most votes will be the cover girl or boy! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
PBRC’s work is performed by volunteer staff that works 365
days a year to provide free information that educates the public, encourages
responsible dog ownership, and helps promote a compassionate world where the
positive image of these dogs is restored. The People’s Choice Pit Bull calendar
is just one way we promote the positive pit bull qualities. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Visit the 2015 People’s Choice calendar <a href="https://www.360photocontest.com/246" target="_blank">page </a>for more information about
the contest. For more information about Pit Bull Rescue Central, visit <a href="http://pbrc.net/">PBRC</a> online. More questions? Send us an <a href="mailto:fundraising@pbrc.net">e-mail</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Keep an eye out for the call
for submissions to PBRC's 2015 Happy Endings Calendar. We will begin accepting photos
soon. The Happy Endings Calendar—an all-dogs calendar published annually since
2002—contains breed information, heartwarming stories, and 12 months of beautiful
color photographs of rescued pit bulls!</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-54318499797929502842013-12-15T10:01:00.000-05:002013-12-15T10:01:13.104-05:00No Pets, and No Pits, As Last-Minute Holiday Gifts<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">With the holidays just around the corner, it’s
natural to fret if you still don't know what to get for certain people. A sweater? A gift certificate? Too
impersonal? If it crosses your mind to stop by the local pet store
or pound or answer that advertisement and pick up a dog to give as a gift, ignore that idea. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Even if it feels like the cutest, most loving
choice to give a person, whether carefully planned or last minute, <i>dogs
should never be given as gifts</i>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The gift of a dog or puppy
is not the same as the gift of a large, stuffed plush toy, of course. More
often than not, wrapping a ribbon and bow around the neck of a living,
breathing dog signals only one thing: trouble. Dogs are <i>not</i> toys, and
should never be anyone’s holiday surprise. Unlike other holiday purchases,
there are rarely refunds or exchanges on dogs. Instead, there are serious,
possibly dire consequences. Although the idea of a dog as a gift may sound
thoughtful, it is, in reality, thoughtless.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Why? Because the gift <i>of</i>
a dog means accepting the responsibility <i>for</i> that dog. It must be more
than a well-meant whim. It must be a carefully considered choice—in fact, it
should be an informed decision made by all involved, as this may ultimately be
a 10- to 15-year commitment. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Children may at first </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">be charmed by this furry, little plaything that leaps and yips,
squeals and turns over onto its back for tummy rubs. But once the
novelty wears off and reality of how much work is involved sets in, <span style="font-weight: normal;">those well-intentioned gift
givers – the parents – will eventually become that puppy’s full-time caregivers. If no one in the household is prepared for the demands of a puppy, the result is likely one more
puppy either abandoned by the side of the road, dropped off at a pound or
surrendered to a shelter (probably to be euthanized). Neither respectable
breeders nor responsible rescue groups will sell or adopt out a dog as a
holiday gift. They’re all too familiar with the heartbreaking results of
such<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>dangerous impulse buys.</span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The decision to bring a dog
into the home requires research into dog breeds most appropriate for one’s
family, lifestyle and environment. There is no one dog breed that suits all
human personalities. The characteristics of one breed may suit one pet owner but
not necessarily another. For example, pit bulls are not the right breed for
everyone. They are a high-energy breed requiring lots of exercise and lots of
commitment to training. Not all dog owners are suited for these requirements.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The choice to get a dog is
also a commitment to putting in the time to providing a loving home and
covering expenses like dog food and veterinary care—choices that individuals
must make for themselves. And although they are gaining in popularity as household
pet, pit bulls are a breed subject to a lot of additional restrictions,
including exclusion from some homeowner insurance policies and some rental
properties. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Never buy a dog as a gift
for another family or friend – no matter how close you are to that person. What
you consider an act of generosity could easily be seen as an imposition. If a
person want a dog, it’s up to that person to make that choice. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">To make certain that your
holidays are happy, make certain that your presents do not include a pet. </span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-25119798652443121052013-11-22T13:13:00.000-05:002013-11-22T13:14:40.921-05:00Holiday Hoopla and Health Hazards<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
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<![endif]--> <span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">~by Nomi Berger for Pit Bull Rescue Central</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5RBjPDjJg1AvSPkfkL5qXaomvakKE44ypTibvwi0GLAPbnBX31NxKInW0Z0gNpS_7PiaK6zWcFUe_Ad0OogH9ZhTkJAAOaOuyYjlKBEsZrhFK7nnZP9Kr47l5UmMjxT4cAyVG-NyBh0/s1600/poppy+santa+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5RBjPDjJg1AvSPkfkL5qXaomvakKE44ypTibvwi0GLAPbnBX31NxKInW0Z0gNpS_7PiaK6zWcFUe_Ad0OogH9ZhTkJAAOaOuyYjlKBEsZrhFK7nnZP9Kr47l5UmMjxT4cAyVG-NyBh0/s1600/poppy+santa+hat.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">With the holidays
approaching, it’s time to think not only about celebrating, but also about dog
safety. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">To ensure that the season
stays merry and bright, plan ahead and start early. Change your home from
everyday to holiday decor gradually, over a period of several weeks. This will
allow your dog time to grow comfortable with everything from new or additional
furniture and tabletop arrangements to wall and window decorations. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">To
encourage your dog to view this as something positive, reinforce the positivity
by keeping him occupied with Kongs filled with cheese spread or peanut butter,
or puzzle toys to puzzle over while you slowly transform the space around him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Be sure to maintain your
dog’s normal feeding and walking schedules. And unless you know from past
experience that his doggy bed, crate or favorite blanket should be moved to a
room far from the festivities, don’t make any changes to your dog’s “go to”
place for security. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Whether you’re hosting one
event or several, follow the same routine to minimize your dog’s potential
uneasiness. Ask any unfamiliar guests and all children to calmly ignore your
dog. Monitor your dog for any signs of anxiety or stress, and lead him to his
“safe” place if necessary. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">On the other hand, if he appears relaxed and is
happily going from guest to guest, provide them with some of his favorite
treats to keep him eating out of their hands.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Be conscientious and
careful about the greenery you bring into your home. The sap of the poinsettia
plant is considered mildly toxic, and can cause nausea or vomiting in your dog.
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Holly is considered moderately toxic
and can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, whereas mistletoe is severely
toxic and can cause everything from gastrointestinal disorders to
cardiovascular problems. </span></b>Christmas trees are considered mildly
toxic. Their oils can irritate your dog’s mouth and stomach, causing excessive
drooling and/or vomiting, while their prickly needles are hazardous to your
dog’s entire gastrointestinal tract. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Wherever possible, keep all plants beyond
your dog’s reach, or else watch him carefully for signs of curiosity in the
plant or the impulse to either lick or chew. To err on the side of caution, consider
buying an artificial plant.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">As appetizing as holiday
fare is for people, it can prove agonizing, even lethal for pets. The most
notorious offenders are….</span> </div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>GRAPES.</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b> </b>Although the precise
substance that causes the toxicity in grapes is unknown (some dogs can eat
grapes without incident, while others can eat one and become seriously ill),
keep them away from your dog.</span></li>
<li><b>HAM. </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">High in salt and fat,
it can lead to stomach upsets and, over time, pancreatitis.</span></li>
<li><b>MACADAMIA NUTS.</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b> </b>Within 12
hours of eating macadamia nuts, dogs can experience weakness, depression,
tremors, vomiting and hyperthermia (increased body temperature), lasting
between 12 and 48 hours. If your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms,
contact your vet immediately.</span></li>
<li><b>BONES.</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b> </b>Rib roasts, lamb
chops, turkey, chicken, and duck all have bones. Thick ones and thin ones.
Brittle, fragmented and splintered. Whatever the size, shape or texture, they
all spell the same thing: danger, which can include throat scratches, stomach
perforations, and bowel obstructions. To safeguard against these painful
possibilities, all leftovers, particularly bones, should be carefully wrapped
and disposed of promptly. </span></li>
<li><b>ALCOHOL.</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b> </b>It’s traditional
to celebrate the holidays with more alcohol than usual— both in cooking and in
drinks such as eggnog and fruit punch. For safety’s sake, keep these
temptations (including partially eaten plates of food and half-empty glasses)
out of the reach of your dog. </span></li>
<li><b>CHOCOLATES.</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b> </b>Although
chocolate has long been taboo for dogs, most chocolate comes gift wrapped in
foil for the holidays. Now, not only can your dog get sick from eating the
chocolate, the wrapper itself can get stuck in your dog’s throat or cause
problems as it works its way through your dog’s digestive tract.</span></li>
<li><b>CHRISTMAS PUDDING, CAKE
AND MINCE PIE. </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">All three are filled with
currants, raisins and sultanas (the “dried” version of grapes) and therefore
pose the same health risk. They are also made with fat and suet, and laced with
alcohol—from scotch and brandy to sugary liqueurs—all of which can cause severe
stomach upsets.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">With some careful planning
beforehand, you and your dog can be assured of spending the happiest and safest
of holidays together.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-67964339606163965882013-08-22T09:27:00.000-04:002013-08-22T09:45:45.567-04:00Pit Bull Metal Pop Art is coming to Poppymart... but the artist needs your input!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaoTFKgmpbbGUxatHTblfdK_8I5ysBvVCI4N7K-5luUwc84-RUPbqdRe5XKfOHuCCbgbpRanrTLW49cuEUdv8IfCQByN9DddJzcaFqA4jiixSqZPPCvAyHe_uGR-0w4toQRlqyMdfCZU/s1600/Pit_Bull_Choice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaoTFKgmpbbGUxatHTblfdK_8I5ysBvVCI4N7K-5luUwc84-RUPbqdRe5XKfOHuCCbgbpRanrTLW49cuEUdv8IfCQByN9DddJzcaFqA4jiixSqZPPCvAyHe_uGR-0w4toQRlqyMdfCZU/s400/Pit_Bull_Choice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remember back in July when Alan Derrick, a 3-D pop metal
artist, was asking about the pit bull features you find most endearing? Well,
has he got a follow-up question for you! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Which of these original 3-D metal works
of pop art should be donated to PBRC and
auctioned off to benefit our cause? </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sound off and let him know which color you
think is best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is 3-D metal pop art. It is not a print or painting.
This art form features layers of cut steel positioned one over the next, giving
the artwork depth and dimension. The artist, Alan Derrick, splatters on layers
of paint creating an illusion which mimics light itself. Each one is an
original, hand crafted and signed by the artist. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Learn more about the artist and his art by visiting
http://AlanDerrick.com </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How PBRC will benefit</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
PBRC will receive as a
donation, the original artist proof of the work of art created for the limited
edition series. The artist proof, the first rendition of the design, is
considered much more valuable and collectable by art enthusiasts. This artist
proof will be among the items up for bid in our online Poppy Mart auction in
September. The funds raised through Poppy Mart are used to help further the
work of PBRC.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-3131841970341234912013-07-12T14:40:00.000-04:002013-07-12T14:40:05.186-04:00Submit Your Idea for Pit Bull Tribute Art!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pit Bull Rescue
Central has made arrangements for an established artist to create a special limited-edition
work of art that pays tribute to the pit bull. The artist, Alan Derrick, needs
your input as to the characteristics that our followers believe should be
captured and represented for the breed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Derrick welcomes any comments and
suggestions you have to offer. You are invited to submit links, photographs,
and other images to help communicate your thoughts, including, but certainly
not limited to, pictures of your own companion pit bull. Think of what a
monument to the breed this project will represent.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<h4>
<b><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;">There's No Cost & It Helps Our Cause</span></b></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is no
cost for you to participate. <st1:stockticker>PBR</st1:stockticker>C will
receive, as a donation, the original artist proof of the work of art created for
the limited-edition series. The artist proof, the first rendition of the
design, is considered much more valuable and collectible by art enthusiasts.
This artist proof will be among the items up for bid in our online Poppy Mart
auction in September. The funds raised through Poppy Mart are used to help
further the work of PBRC. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;">Put In Your Two Cents Worth</span></b></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The artist
will review each and every suggestion, comment, image, request, and piece of
advice he receives and will personally follow up with you if requested. This
information-gathering research phase of the project will continue until the end
of July. Don’t hesitate to contact the artist and put in your two cents worth. Derrick
plans to get started creating the design after <st1:date day="25" month="7" year="2013">July 25, 2013</st1:date>. <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;">About the Art</span></b></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3D metal pop
art typically portrays iconic figures or concepts found in popular culture.
This art form features layers of cut steel positioned one over the next, giving
the artwork depth and dimension. The artist splatters on layers of paint,
creating an illusion which mimics light itself. Each piece is an original, hand
crafted and signed by the artist. Learn more about <a href="http://alanderrick.com/learn-more/about-3d-metal-pop-art">3D Metal Pop Art</a>.</span></div>
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<h4>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #741b47;">About the Artist</span></span></b></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT47o7jJS_RwuHL_eWHFTirkz2zuLFC0cc3OXP-5OWeJ14rzSwI-QfIo5Ktst8twwKS2A5wS-GARMrlGhXBTaCj4nRQZkfjE-ARUY3jQ-GQ31HzjvYtjy-6v-JKymgxyUFUAfYfSbevUo/s1600/derrickimage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT47o7jJS_RwuHL_eWHFTirkz2zuLFC0cc3OXP-5OWeJ14rzSwI-QfIo5Ktst8twwKS2A5wS-GARMrlGhXBTaCj4nRQZkfjE-ARUY3jQ-GQ31HzjvYtjy-6v-JKymgxyUFUAfYfSbevUo/s320/derrickimage2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Alan Derrick
specializes in 3D metal pop art and personally designs, fabricates, paints, and
signs each original work of art in a limited-edition series of 100 renditions.
His work can be found in personal and corporate collections throughout the
world. For many years, his focus has rarely trailed from human portraiture.
This project represents Derrick’s effort to step outside the box and stretch
the definition of portraiture to include more than just the human form. Learn more about <a href="http://alanderrick.com/learn-more/about-alan-derrick">Alan Derrick</a>.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So send in
your suggestions, photographs, web links, and other ideas today to </span><a href="mailto:Contact@AlanDerrick.com" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.1s ease-in; border: 0px; color: #821d1d; line-height: 20.390625px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.1s ease-in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Contact@AlanDerrick.com</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">You can also go directly to Alan Derrick's <a href="http://alanderrick.com/" target="_blank">w</a></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small; text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="http://alanderrick.com/" target="_blank">ebsite</a> and fill out a <a href="http://alanderrick.com/connect-with-alan/email-contact" target="_blank">contact form</a>.</span></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-81584090091368803552013-07-02T01:19:00.000-04:002013-07-02T01:19:29.387-04:00Call the Pupparazzi! The Happy Endings 2014 Calendar Submission Deadline Has Been Extended! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51Z8veJd5uObOK-JjODj0cJhTDi59y9H1FuoEaQjcutNELeXjXoJf21FvYoGe2ziDWlezAg7XjZXsCvUP9jMkvcAtADvoYNGLtGLo1CRnFevfQktg-zjNovYXUeHX6HEULvanqIGd6gM/s1600/HE2014MrMay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51Z8veJd5uObOK-JjODj0cJhTDi59y9H1FuoEaQjcutNELeXjXoJf21FvYoGe2ziDWlezAg7XjZXsCvUP9jMkvcAtADvoYNGLtGLo1CRnFevfQktg-zjNovYXUeHX6HEULvanqIGd6gM/s1600/HE2014MrMay.JPG" height="266" oya="true" width="400" /></a></div>
Do you think your rescued pit bull was meant to represent an entire month as a calendar girl or boy? Can your pup compete with 2013's Mr. May (above) or hold her own as Ms. March? <br />
<br />
PBRC has extended the submission deadline for our 2014 Happy Endings Calendar to 11:59 pm on Sunday, July 7! So there’s still time to grab the camera and be ready for that amazing photo op. <br />
<br />
Since 2002, PBRC’s Happy Endings calendar—our all-dog calendar—has filled 12 months with wonderful color photographs of good-looking, charming, and active rescued pit bulls along with accurate breed information and heart-warming stories of rescue! <br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://www.pbrc.net/shop/photosubmit.html" target="_blank">here</a> for all the information you need about photo specifications and submission requirements. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-84835165974112165352013-06-03T12:21:00.000-04:002013-06-03T12:23:11.023-04:00PBRC Is Now Accepting Photo Submissions for the Happy Endings 2014 Calendar! <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwproTTDIl6K9AgGgjI-E4dUXKXbb7ep6m8GgajG7GfD4Zr4RlFrYC-S3GjME6h9egIWPZT5Dhw2TZ8l-0yZEaREUGzBgAQgFkHiQqcSsIFMbUOpTE3D8JE5T_G1Zzu5KdhA0g3M31-4g/s1600/pbrc_happyendings2013cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwproTTDIl6K9AgGgjI-E4dUXKXbb7ep6m8GgajG7GfD4Zr4RlFrYC-S3GjME6h9egIWPZT5Dhw2TZ8l-0yZEaREUGzBgAQgFkHiQqcSsIFMbUOpTE3D8JE5T_G1Zzu5KdhA0g3M31-4g/s320/pbrc_happyendings2013cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Do you think your rescued pit bull was meant to be a
calendar girl or boy? Can you picture your pup as Mr. March or Ms. May? PBRC is
offering the chance to share your rescued pit bull with the world! </div>
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We are opening submissions for PBRC's 2014 Happy Endings
Calendar! Since 2002, PBRC’s Happy Endings calendar—our all-dog calendar—has filled
12 months with wonderful color photographs of good-looking, charming, and
active rescued pit bulls along with accurate breed information and
heart-warming stories of rescue! </div>
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PBRC is accepting photo submissions now through June 30, 2013. </div>
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Entry fees are as follows: </div>
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1 photo: $7.50</div>
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3 photos: $15</div>
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6 photos: $25</div>
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Click <a href="http://www.pbrc.net/shop/photosubmit.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff;">here </span></a>for all the
additional information you need about photo specifications and submission
requirements. Note: Photos published in the Happy Endings calendar portray dogs
only. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">All proceeds from the photo
submissions and calendar sales are used to help pit bulls in need. Don't miss
out on this fantastic opportunity to have your furry friend be a pin-up and to
help others in need.</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-19065328669929384612013-05-01T12:14:00.000-04:002013-05-01T12:14:07.967-04:00Attention All Pit Bull Enthusiasts! The PBRC 2014 People's Choice Calendar Call for Submissions Is Open!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9BVUg5MLgZG6wxq1hdPzzTap_2Z9FvNx4dEvBGtfXuAXG3T9I-PLojASjHDZ9u9NrkxIXOLtPc-z4847frr9LTcsXvw-NfeOabqKTYzlK_RWPJKICz8pSai3BNO0bzc4UsswGhXu6Bo/s1600/PeoplesChoiceBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9BVUg5MLgZG6wxq1hdPzzTap_2Z9FvNx4dEvBGtfXuAXG3T9I-PLojASjHDZ9u9NrkxIXOLtPc-z4847frr9LTcsXvw-NfeOabqKTYzlK_RWPJKICz8pSai3BNO0bzc4UsswGhXu6Bo/s320/PeoplesChoiceBanner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Have you taken a picture of your pit bull that perfectly
portrays his personality? That proudly presents her playfulness?<span> </span>PBRC is now welcoming submissions to our
annual People's Choice Pit Bull Calendar online <a href="https://www.360photocontest.com/192">photo contest</a>. PBRC is looking
for photographs of your pit bull, be it an action shot, a funny moment, a
handsome pose, or a contemplative photo in the midst of some beautiful scenery!
Submit photos that show your grinners and goofballs, your clowns and camera
hams, in action or at rest—whether by themselves, with people, or with other
pets. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">There is a minimum entry fee of $10 per submission. You also
have the option to donate more to PBRC with each submission. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">This $10, $25, or $50 donation—and the funds raised from
voting ($1/vote)—support PBRC’s listing and screening services to help pit
bulls find loving, responsible homes, our spay and neuter fund, and our financial
aid fund for life-saving medical treatment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">All submitted photos will be viewed and enjoyed by thousands
of voters who will select the favorites. The 13 most popular photos will be
published in the 2014 People's Choice Pit Bull calendar—the top vote-getting
photo will appear on the cover. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The work of PBRC is done by a staff of volunteers who work
365 days a year to provide free information that educates the public,
encourages responsible dog ownership, and helps promote a compassionate world
where the positive image of these dogs is restored. The People’s Choice Pit
Bull calendar is just one way we promote the positive pit bull qualities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Visit the 2014 People’s Choice calendar <a href="https://www.360photocontest.com/192">page</a> for more information about
the contest. For more information about Pit Bull Rescue Central, visit <span style="color: cyan;"><a href="http://pbrc.net/">PBRC</a></span> online. More questions? Send us an <a href="mailto:fundraising@pbrc.net">e-mail</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"> ***********************************************************</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span>Keep an eye out for the call
for submissions to PBRC's 2014 Happy Endings Calendar. We will begin accepting photos
soon. The Happy Endings Calendar—an all-dogs calendar published annually since
2002—contains breed information, heartwarming stories, and 12 months of beautiful
color photographs of rescued pit bulls!</span></span></div>
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<![endif]--><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-19481504999193651812013-04-01T16:14:00.000-04:002013-04-01T16:14:08.343-04:00April's most foolish! The "I Pittie, The Fool" winners....<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Our canine clowns and cutups crack us up every day of the
year, but on April Fool’s Day 2013, there were a few comedians who caught our
eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The winners of this year’s PBRC “I Pittie, The Fool” contest
are...</div>
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<b>First place: Kullen</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ezni-VOqYaCBZmgkN8XR5L8qCnQ3e43jeb4R9w2i6fqv9LtiQ9xmSNFKuf6YA1OjX2pCo-byRDCxnP2oF7tdEfhIVyK54YaRLPToV4SaPE4_cfRGHtsUFJcaMUSIRuq2I9eGjXJury4/s1600/Kullen_winner.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ezni-VOqYaCBZmgkN8XR5L8qCnQ3e43jeb4R9w2i6fqv9LtiQ9xmSNFKuf6YA1OjX2pCo-byRDCxnP2oF7tdEfhIVyK54YaRLPToV4SaPE4_cfRGHtsUFJcaMUSIRuq2I9eGjXJury4/s320/Kullen_winner.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Second place: A tie! </b><br />
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<b>Mattie: </b><br />
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<i>... and ... </i><br />
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<b>Steve: </b><br />
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<b>Third place: Penelope</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUM3hnTy_G4GimnKwpdePgzqhBS7jxUBaDIK6DLcq1zi_u9OtLzr0h0HwFj8Z8LysFopgzoiB6R-xaalKuE2xEhy2Q3GrFL8HLFXs8heLZyYq2-UpAKWZMp492edmfOUMrzsaYoWo5ZgQ/s1600/penelope.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUM3hnTy_G4GimnKwpdePgzqhBS7jxUBaDIK6DLcq1zi_u9OtLzr0h0HwFj8Z8LysFopgzoiB6R-xaalKuE2xEhy2Q3GrFL8HLFXs8heLZyYq2-UpAKWZMp492edmfOUMrzsaYoWo5ZgQ/s320/penelope.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thanks to all who sent submissions to the contest—and be
sure to keep capturing pictures of your playful pit bulls all year round so you can
enter “I Pittie, the Fool” 2014!</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-6733021189479126432013-03-21T19:20:00.000-04:002013-03-21T19:20:15.063-04:00Pit Bull Rescue Central's 8th annual "I Pittie, The Fool" photo contest!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Are
you entertained by your bully buddy's antics? Is your canine companion a
constant comic cut-up? It's time for Pit Bull Rescue Central's 8th
annual "I Pittie, The Fool" photo contest!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Share those silly moments with everyone by submitting a photo to our contest!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">To enter your playful pooch in our contest, send your photo, the dog's name, your name, and your email address to <a href="mailto:pbrccontest@pbrc.net" target="_blank">pbrccontest@pbrc.net</a>.
Once all pictures are received, the winning photos will be selected by
PBRC volunteers. The owners with the best fool of a pit bull will win
prizes from PBRC! There will be a first, second and third place winner.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Please
submit your photos no later than March 27, 2013 (12:00 Midnight EST).
Multiple entries are welcome, but please submit only one photo per dog.
And please remember: safety first when snapping those silly pics!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Mark your calendars:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVZavMSM-DdlPnQp_tzT2qZvITBHrigj-IlW2yzklelf2q5iid4w2hkiPLbIMPAp-4baxHtG8CO4WXC5g6QluSsG8cH4urhoHmOcZS3J4q3oUBdrJB8Xf7GylnwmUg6y9b-PWeezeyNw/s1600/2010-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVZavMSM-DdlPnQp_tzT2qZvITBHrigj-IlW2yzklelf2q5iid4w2hkiPLbIMPAp-4baxHtG8CO4WXC5g6QluSsG8cH4urhoHmOcZS3J4q3oUBdrJB8Xf7GylnwmUg6y9b-PWeezeyNw/s200/2010-3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Deadline for photos: Wednesday, March 27 (12:00 Midnight EST)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Voting by PBRC volunteers: Sunday, March 31st</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The I Pittie, The Fool winner announced: Monday, April 1</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Good luck, and may your hilarious hound win!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-22570244971247597552013-03-19T21:53:00.000-04:002013-03-19T21:53:38.821-04:00Keeping Military Families Intact—Including the Pets!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBEeSnTIlJUAtoqfb6n-ksGJpyCksJThtVce3c6ErQ2wyWVosWmqLSest5wDLCeCpJNn3qUHkDK8XaYO-KL6qXmxSJ1kUjmuJ_eHySDRaFh41EWlGqHd3FY1Pu0Z8uf4e6mVFsvcnt6o/s1600/vetsday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBEeSnTIlJUAtoqfb6n-ksGJpyCksJThtVce3c6ErQ2wyWVosWmqLSest5wDLCeCpJNn3qUHkDK8XaYO-KL6qXmxSJ1kUjmuJ_eHySDRaFh41EWlGqHd3FY1Pu0Z8uf4e6mVFsvcnt6o/s320/vetsday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Because the military lifestyle can involve frequent
uprooting and transferring from one state—or country—to another, one might
assume that keeping a dog in those circumstances is counterintuitive.
Relocation costs can be expensive—thousands of dollars, in some cases—and the US
military does not cover expenses for relocating family pets. </div>
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But dog ownership offers countless therapeutic benefits and having
to give up a beloved family pet—particularly if the reason is related to
budget—can be devastating. To help keep military families intact—including the
furry ones—the international arm of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals (SPCA) has launched Operation Military Pets. Individuals serving in
all military branches, and relocating within the United States or anywhere in
the world, are welcome to apply for Operation Military Pets grants to help
offset the costs of bringing their pets with them. </div>
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There has been a tremendous response since its February 2013
launch, says Stephanie Scott, SPCA International’s Director of Communications,
who notes that in one month, there have been almost 40 requests for help and
the group has already begun disbursing financial aid. </div>
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Although the military enacted in 2009 a rule that
“aggressive or potentially aggressive” dogs, including pit bulls, are not
allowed in US
military bases, Operation Military Pets offers assistance to anyone serving in
the military, whether they live on or off base; thus, there are no breed
restrictions for eligibility. Those forced to live off base because of their
dog’s breed may need the most help, in fact. “We understand that off-base
housing is more costly and just one more example of why our animal-loving military
personnel are forced to shoulder a heavier burden as they are relocated,” Scott
says.</div>
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Visit <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><a href="http://www.spcai.org/index.php/news-and-blog/spcai-news/item/804-announcing-the-new-operation-military-pets-program.html">Operation
Military Pets</a> </span>for more information about the program—including how it got started—and to find out how you can support this important program. As Scott says, "With so many families facing transportation costs of thousands of dollars, we need the public's support to ensure we can help every single military family that needs it." </div>
<br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-28646120468461456512012-09-25T18:51:00.001-04:002012-09-25T18:54:44.992-04:00How to Plan a Pit Bull Awareness Day Event<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4oja8ljm4CIPmGY_5hhw1_uhreM4RdtQLy6PI9OYvUdtK85tjZp5yP4brM8FrwRe5pLlfWzo-lyarf8O_6kaXPBML7qhyphenhyphenBiI_S7JGQmHmy_zmRfNS7WUxagqrmxu9D_rWDXAdOU_nLw/s1600/Npbad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4oja8ljm4CIPmGY_5hhw1_uhreM4RdtQLy6PI9OYvUdtK85tjZp5yP4brM8FrwRe5pLlfWzo-lyarf8O_6kaXPBML7qhyphenhyphenBiI_S7JGQmHmy_zmRfNS7WUxagqrmxu9D_rWDXAdOU_nLw/s1600/Npbad.jpg" /></a></div>
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So, you want to show the public that pit bulls are good dogs. Well, you’re in luck! The National Pit Bull Awareness Campaign is a nationwide effort to bring positive recognition and attention to the American Pit Bull Terrier. The heart of the campaign is National Pit Bull Awareness Day (NPBAD), which was founded in 2007 by Jodi Preis of Bless the Bullys.<br />
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NPBAD is an excellent opportunity to be a positive role model for responsible dog ownership, and to introduce the truth about pit bulls in the communities where we live with our dogs. Since the beginning, NPBAD has been extremely successful thanks to the pit bull advocates across the nation who are determined and dedicated to making a positive difference for pit bulls.<br />
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If you’re part of a rescue group, breed club, animal shelter or other dog-related organization, you may have some event planning experience. Even if you aren’t part of a formal group, you can still host a NPBAD event! The first step is to pick a date. Ideally you would host the event on the actual NPBAD; in 2012 it will be on Saturday, October 27, but if that’s not possible that’s ok, too. No matter which date you pick, be sure to allow enough time to advertise and spread the word about your event! You want to make sure people know about it and plan to attend! <br />
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There are lots of possibilities for events. For example, if you’re not part of a formal group, ask your local pet store if you can set up a table with information about pit bulls. PBRC has educational materials available for download and distribution at this link: http://www.pbrc.net/flyers.html Take your own breed ambassador pit bull with you! (If you aren’t sure if your dog is considered a breed ambassador, read the information at this link: http://www.pbrc.net/breedambassador.html.) Be sure to bring along the “Find the Pit Bull” flyer. It’s a great conversation starter and a perfect way to show one of the major problems with breed-specific legislation (BSL): identifying which dogs are pit bulls.<br />
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Here are some other ideas for events: <br />
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Bully Rally<br />
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Pit Bull Adoption or Spay/Neuter Event<br />
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Pit Bull Parade<br />
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Weight Pull<br />
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Dog Wash Event (which can double as a fund raiser for a local pit bull rescue)<br />
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Canine Costume Contest (since it’s so close to Howl-O-Ween!)<br />
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Kiss-a-Bull kissing booth<br />
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Canine Good Citizen Testing<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>Lenox, a 10 yr old pit bull mix working a kissing booth</em></span></div>
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These are all great ideas, but you will likely need funds. You may need funds to secure permits for a park in which to host your event, or you may need to rent a venue. You may also need funds to print fliers or take out an ad to publicize your event. Consider approaching local pet stores, veterinarian offices, dog trainers, groomers and pet food companies to see if they would like to get involved by offering funds (or products for a raffle or silent auction) in exchange for having their company name listed on the promotional materials for the event. <br />
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Atlanta Underdog Initiative, located in Atlanta, GA, has been celebrating NPBAD since 2007 by hosting the Atlanta Bully Rally. The very first event consisted of about 30 people in a small Atlanta park. Since then, it has grown into a large and much-anticipated NPBAD event, featuring special celebrity guests, an amateur weight pull, educational presentations on topics that affect pit bulls and their owners, a pit bull kissing booth, the opportunity to showcase local rescue groups and their adoptable animals, a raffle with fantastic prizes, and free dog food and collars to pets in need. In order to plan your own Bully Rally, Atlanta Underdog Initiative offers the following tips: <br />
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-Secure a venue! A public park is usually a great choice!<br />
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-Invite other pit bull specific rescues as well as local animal control to bring 1-2 dogs each so people can see the types of pit bulls that end up in rescue and in the shelters. By including other organizations, you also increase your attendance because they tell their supporters.<br />
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-Recruit people to speak on various topics such as spay/neuter, unchaining, training, and BSL. Try to find people who can connect with your target audience. <br />
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-Give out free dog food, collars and leashes. More dog owners are likely to come if the flyer says “Free Pet Food”. Post flyers all over the neighborhoods where your target audience lives. <br />
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-For the sake of safety, consider offering a “waiting area” of crates where dogs can be crated while their owners walk around and talk to people and look at the rescue dogs. It allows people to bring dogs with controllable dog-reactivity to the event so that they get the educational info but still provides a way to keep those dogs contained if they get over stimulated. Also have “dog security” volunteers who keep an eye on the dogs’ behavior and the owners to make sure everything is running smoothly.<br />
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Atlanta Underdog Initiative hosts a LugNuts weight pull at the Bully Rally. This has proven to be very popular. They offer cash prizes for 1st ($50), 2nd ($35) and 3rd place ($20). The prize amount doubles if the dog is already spayed or neutered or if the owners allow the organization to spay or neuter the dog within 2 weeks. On the sign-up form is a field where owners of the winning dog can opt to forfeit the prize so that the funds can be put back toward rescue or spay/neuter. For info on Lugnuts visit this link: <a href="http://www.suesternberg.com//03programs/04lugnuts.html">http://www.suesternberg.com//03programs/04lugnuts.html</a><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">LugNuts weight pull contestant at the 2011 Atlanta Bully Rally</span></em><br />
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For further information on how to plan a Bully Rally, contact Atlanta Underdog Initiative. Contact information is available on the group’s website at www.atlantaunderdog.com. The Atlanta Bully Rally website is www.atlantabullrally.com.<br />
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Regardless of your location, please choose an activity to participate in on October 27, 2012, to promote and celebrate responsible pit bull ownership with other caring individuals. Visit the Bless the Bullys website (<a href="http://www.blessthebullys.com/">www.blessthebullys.com</a>) to find NPBAD events in your area or to register your own. <br />
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Let’s make our voices heard across the nation on October 27, 2012!<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-80386256401503620862012-09-14T17:12:00.001-04:002012-09-14T17:14:23.497-04:00Attention Pit Bull Lovers: One Day Left to Bid on Great Stuff for a Great Cause!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0nNeWPLBF2fZWuXVcmKnGdukKY0dRiY3_GSzxCEhCnB-MxdxxirnzhampS2uWZyZ_0gizh98hCGBj9tauzqqvqmkHQ4xeBuWrgczwwAh4JRm_qXSafytbvv4obvmoOEoRRUBFXdKKX4/s1600/PM1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0nNeWPLBF2fZWuXVcmKnGdukKY0dRiY3_GSzxCEhCnB-MxdxxirnzhampS2uWZyZ_0gizh98hCGBj9tauzqqvqmkHQ4xeBuWrgczwwAh4JRm_qXSafytbvv4obvmoOEoRRUBFXdKKX4/s200/PM1.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://stores.ebay.com/PBRC-Poppy-Mart" target="_blank">PBRC's 9th Annual PoppyMart Online Auction</a> is down to the wire. There's a little over 24 hours left to bid!<br />
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<b>With nearly 700 items, there's something for everyone</b> -- Spoil your dog, spoil yourself, get a jump on holiday shopping ... and it's all for a good cause. All <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/pbrcpoppymart" target="_blank">PoppyMart</a> proceeds benefit PBRC's programs to provide accurate breed information, support spay/neuter, and help rescued pit bulls in need.<br />
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<b>The auction ends tomorrow evening (September 15th). </b>The last day is always when the bidding wars get hot, so now is the time to get in on a little friendly competition with other pit bull lovers. <br />
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<a href="http://stores.ebay.com/PBRC-Poppy-Mart" target="_blank">Start Bidding Now!</a><br />
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Have questions? Check out our <a href="http://pbrc.net/auction2012/rules.html" target="_blank">Auction Guidelines</a> page.<br />
(Still have questions? Email us at <a href="mailto:fundraising@pbrc.net">fundraising@pbrc.net</a>.)<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-45749427318153750972012-09-05T01:44:00.000-04:002012-09-05T01:44:03.692-04:00Four Days Until Poppymart 2012 and PBRC's Annual Report!<span style="color: #003333; font-family: arial;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: arial;">It's that time of year again…PBRC's online auction is coming soon! Starting September 9th, we'll be listing hundreds of amazing items to raise money for <a href="http://www.pbrc.net/">Pit Bull Rescue Central</a> (PBRC).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 25px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: left;">There is something for every</span><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: left;"> taste and wallet! You'll find toys, treats and accessories for your dog as well as toy</span><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: left;">s, treats and accessories for you! There is also original artwork, custom products </span><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: left;">and more! Thanks to the </span><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: left;">generosity of many vendors, volunteers and friends, there's something for everyone, so get your ebay account </span><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: left;">ready! The photos represent just a few of the fantastic items we have; let the bidding wars begin!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: arial; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: left;">All proceeds from Poppy Mart benefit Pit Bull Rescue Central's important work, including financial aid to help rescuers and owners with medical procedures they could not otherwise afford, spay/neuter assistance, dog listings and adoption application pre-screening for dogs in need of good homes and educational resources for all ages.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: arial;"><br />PBRC is staffed entirely by a dedicated group of volunteers who donate their time and energy to promote responsible pit bull ownership and restore the positive image of pit bulls. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 1.6em;">Register now so you're ready to bid early and often. All bidders need to register with ebay, so if you don’t already have an account get one at </span><a href="http://www.ebay.com/" style="font-family: arial; line-height: 1.6em; text-decoration: none;">www.ebay.com</a><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 1.6em;">. You will be sent a link directly to our store once the auction begins.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: arial;"><br />If you have any questions, please contact us at <a href="mailto:fundraising@pbrc.net" style="text-decoration: none;">fundraising@pbrc.net</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;">The Poppy Mart Team</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: arial;">P.S. Feel free to crosspost this message!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 28px; text-align: center;"> Annual Report for 2011</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 1.6em;">Our 2011 annual report is now available! <a href="http://www.pbrc.net/fund/PBRC_2011_Annual_Report.pdf" target="_blank">PBRC Annual Report 2011</a> Take a look at what we've been able to accomplish in 2011 with the help of our amazing volunteers as well as the </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">generosity of our donors. We could not do this important work without our donors, so a hearty thanks to them as well as to our volunteers!</span></span></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-44041517057856080762012-08-08T09:00:00.000-04:002012-08-08T09:00:03.046-04:00Need Pit Bull Love On-the-Go? Bring Home Your Own Plush Therpit from CharlieDogEver need a little pit bull pick-me-up but don’t have a pit bull handy?<br />
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Now you can have your very own huggable therapist you can take anywhere!
<a href="http://www.charliedogandfriends.com/">http://www.charliedogandfriends.com/</a><br />
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Murphy is an 8-year-old pit bull that was adopted through PBRC from Seattle Animal Shelter in Seattle, Washington. He was certified for pet assisted therapy when he was just 18 months old and has been bringing love and kisses to needy patients and students ever since.<br />
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Murphy has so much love to give that he never tires of his job, but there is just so much of him to go around and too little time to give everyone the therapy that they need.<br />
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Murphy and I were honored when CharlieDog and Friends asked permission to use Murphy as the model for their first Thera-pit in their new line of soft toys. Now Murphy’s special form of therapy is available to anyone, anytime!<br />
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<b>CharlieDog and Friends is built on a business model of giving. </b>Your purchase of a Murphy CharlieDog toy will not only bring you the therapy you are craving, but $5 of each purchase is donated to Pit Bull Rescue Central to help many other homeless pit bulls find loving forever homes. Plus for each Murphy toy that is sold, CharlieDog and Friends will donate a Murphy toy to a child in a hospital that needs their own special friend to cuddle with during a very scary time.<br />
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-- Amanda C., PBRC Volunteer, and Murphy, Rescued Therapit<div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-13192135782027839862012-08-04T19:12:00.001-04:002012-08-08T21:59:14.703-04:00Pit Bull Rescue Central Receives ASPCA Grant to Help More Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here at PBRC, we've always been fans of the work the ASPCA does to promote a positive image for pit bulls and help them find loving homes. In addition to their high-profile work saving pit bulls from abuse, they also provide <a href="http://aspcabehavior.org/articles/193/The-Truth-About-Pit-Bulls.aspx" target="_blank">great information</a> and expose the truth about important issues like breed specific legislation and <a href="http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/advocacy-center/animal-laws-about-the-issues/pit-bull-bias-in-the-media.aspx" target="_blank">media bias</a>.<br />
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So, we were especially excited to learn than an anonymous ASPCA employee chose PBRC as the recipient of an ASPCA Staffers' Choice Grant. The ASPCA Staffers' Choice Grant was <a href="http://www.aspca.org/Pressroom/press-releases/042111" target="_blank">established last year</a> as a way for ASPCA employees who are being recognized for their achievements to give back to the rescue community. Thank you, Anonymous!<br />
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Earlier this summer, PBRC was awarded the $500 grant. What does $500 mean to PBRC? It means we can help even more pit bulls in need.<br />
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In the month of June, the grant helped five pit bulls get spayed or neutered as part of our <a href="http://www.pbrc.net/fund/ap_neuter.html" target="_blank">Spay/Neuter Fund</a>, which provides financial assistance to owners and rescuers doing their part to fight overpopulation.<br />
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PBRC also provides <a href="http://www.pbrc.net/fund/financial.html" target="_blank">financial aid</a> to owners and rescuers facing veterinary hardships. Last month, the ASPCA grant helped the PBRC Medical Fund contribute toward a cart for a New Jersey dog in need, providing the family that loves her a way to keep giving her a good life.<br />
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The work being done every day by the volunteers of PBRC to make the world a better place for pit bulls couldn't happen without the support of people like the ASPCA employees who care about the future of these dogs.<br />
<br />
To learn more about the ASPCA: <a href="http://www.aspca.org/">http://www.aspca.org/</a><br />
To learn more about PBRC: <a href="http://www.pbrc.net/">http://www.pbrc.net/</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5636802967170738368.post-5566966548063996962012-06-26T18:35:00.001-04:002012-06-26T18:35:27.703-04:00Like a Boss!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig58KCDbkqPWlSv1z7J46S7g_-pDaeiyaekyws0apca9J-gx2KasejcZTBmtfUx_Gi82bY5fPLK9v9yabHC5oSmyzy5pIIUeeFim5P4S_x1sYJpPbVf5XgwGHBTU8MZtqA0KKp-GQUgY8/s1600/boss.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig58KCDbkqPWlSv1z7J46S7g_-pDaeiyaekyws0apca9J-gx2KasejcZTBmtfUx_Gi82bY5fPLK9v9yabHC5oSmyzy5pIIUeeFim5P4S_x1sYJpPbVf5XgwGHBTU8MZtqA0KKp-GQUgY8/s1600/boss.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: medium;"><b><i>This is the first in a series of posts we'll be doing highlighting the dogs whose images appear on <a href="http://pitbullrescuecentral.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">PBRC's Visa Platinum Rewards</a> cards. To apply for a card, visit <a href="http://www.pbrc.net/shop/visa.html" target="_blank">this link</a>. A percent of all your purchases will be donated back to PBRC!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Like a Boss!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">By Ami Ciontos</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">So he wasn’t an old
dog when I adopted him in 2002, but my boy Boss has aged gracefully. I’ll admit
he was quite the handful in his younger days. He destroyed no less than seven
crates, a handful of rugs (while in his crate!), a few sets of drapes and the
occasional bed spread. Not to mention the times he thought he was being attacked
by the automatic sprinkler systems at some local businesses and had to defend
himself. Each time he managed to pull at least three to four feet of piping out
of the ground before I could stop him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Due to his high
energy level, we had to find an energy outlet for Boss. </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">We ultimately discovered his intense love
for bubbles, which he will jump for and chase. Boss also loves to play with
traffic cones. He bumps them, drags them around the yard and, at one time,
would even climb a tree to get to a traffic cone dangling from a branch by a
rope. Now that he’s in the winter of his years, he isn’t able to climb as well,
so my husband will hold him up so he can get to his cone. Once he’s up there he
will pull on it and tug until he is tired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Though he’s 12
years old, my boy still has some spunk! He loves to go for walks and still
chases squirrels. Most of his days are spent lounging on his favorite bed in
the hallway. He is a gracious host and welcomes all of our visitors with a
friendly nudge to let them know they should pet him. He used to meet visitors
with a toy in his mouth ready to play, but now he’s content for a pat on the
head and a few belly rubs. Boss is a sweet, loving boy who has taught me so
much about pit bulls. Though he was not an easy dog in his younger years, I
would not have had it any other way. He is now a Senior Pitizen, and the older
he gets, the sweeter he gets. If I had known how sweet, appreciative and low
maintenance senior dogs can be, I might have adopted an older dog a long time
ago!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">When it comes to
adopting a dog, many people automatically think of adopting a puppy. Though
puppies are cute and sweet and they get a lot of attention, they also require
patience and energy to help them become wonderful family members and
companions. The advantage of adopting an older dog is that they can be just as
cute and lovable as a puppy, and they already have their personality and
training. Most are already housebroken and have overcome the phase where chewing
on inappropriate objects is irresistible. There is no guessing what your dog
will become, as what you see is what you get when you adopt an older dog! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">You may not want to
adopt a senior dog because you fear that your time with your new best friend
will be too short and too painful when the dog passes. However; the privilege
of bonding with and loving a senior dog makes every day special! The knowledge
that you have given an older dog a second chance at life will help create a
strong and deep bond, and the love that grows from this knowledge is stronger
than the pain of eventual separation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><b>Reasons to Adopt a
Senior Pitizen</b></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; text-indent: -0.25in;">Senior pitizens are generally low
maintenance. They love to sleep and cuddle the day away. They enjoy a brisk
daily walk, but the best part of the day is their nap, and they love for you to
join them at nap time!</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></li>
<li><img height="6" src="file://localhost/Users/orlandoweekly1/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip1/01/clip_image008.png" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';" v:shapes="_x0000_i1030" width="1" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; text-indent: -0.25in;">Senior pitizens have already learned many of
life's lessons. They know, for example, that shoes are for walking and bones
are for chewing. They also know that outside is for doing business and indoors
is for relaxing! Your carpet will last longer with a senior pitizen compared
with a puppy!</span><img height="6" src="file://localhost/Users/orlandoweekly1/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip1/01/clip_image010.png" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; text-indent: -0.25in;" v:shapes="_x0000_i1032" width="1" /></li>
<li><br /></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; text-indent: -0.25in;">Senior pitizens can learn new tricks and be
valuable family and community members. Because they have mellowed, they can
focus on you and learn more quickly than a puppy.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; text-indent: -0.25in;">Senior pitizens leave you time for yourself
because they don’t require the same kind of time and attention that puppies and
young dogs do.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
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<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/orlandoweekly1/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip1/01/clip_image001.png"
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pitizen! Not only will you be saving a dog, you will gain a dedicated companion!</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><div class="blogger-post-footer">Pit Bull Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net)
Where Education Meets Rescue</div>Pit Bull Rescue Centralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03020043813718727054noreply@blogger.com0