Petbulls

I may have posted this here before, but I love it, and it's worth posting again. Taken by crysania4 last summer.


( wet + happy )

A story of injustice...

...told in pictures.


A Bull Terribull Production...



Starring: 

 Ozzy--Bull Terrier

 Luka--Sproxer

  Sodai--Jindo/Shiba




( THE BATTLE OF THE BUREAU! )

Posted to petbulls and my journal

In about 45 minutes Nash goes to his new home!

He had an excellent home visit last weekend with a family that had met him at an adoption event the week before. We LOVED them at the event and were THRILLED when they sent in their adoption application. (He also had 2 other inquiries but they spoke first and were the best match).

He was SO good at his home visit. He was confident and well mannered. He took treats so gently from their two children (3 and 4 years old) and even "sat" on command each time they asked. He woo'ed "Grandma" who came down to take pictures and he kissed the mom on the cheek so sweetly. They were smitten.

They had an appointment to meet another puppy but the next morning she texted me to tell me they cancelled that meeting because they wanted Nash and knew he was perfect for their family:)

He will have a stay-at-home momma with him all day, 2 gorgeous kids to chase around and a huge,fun,fenced in back yard. What a dream come true for this beautiful pup with such a rough start to life!

Good luck in your new home Nash!!! We love you to pieces and couldn't have wished for a better ending for you <3



( Nashville pictures from Sunday...and one of Georgia )

Smigiel-Mizeur Pit Bull Bill to Eliminate the Presumption of Dangerous Dogs | Scribd -- [For the purpose of determining criminal or civil liability, a dog may not be presumed dangerous or potentially dangerous solely on the basis of the breed or heritage of the dog.]

Hear, hear! Maryland, please pass these out of committed and then into law. Also/alternately, from the friend who provided the above:

Here's what we have so far...THREE bills, HB1804 (Smigiel-Mizeur) that addresses Anti-BSL legislation, CROSSFILED with SB1307 (Pipkin, et al); and Delegate McMillan's HB1807, which addresses the strict liability imposed by the Solesky ruling.

Bills are in the Rules Committees of the House and Senate. House Rules committee number is 410 841 3927; Senate Rules committee number is 410 841 3927. It is up to those committee chairs, Hattie Harrison (House) and Katherine Klausmeier (Senate)
to allow the bills out for a hearing.

We know that there is very important work going on in Annapolis, but this is a critical issue to the dog owners of Maryland. We hope the legislators can help as soon as they can!

Drayton Michaels of PitbullGuru.com breaks down why BSL does not work.

"Over the past 25 years since BSL has had it’s chance to prove the merits of it’s effectiveness the national average of dog bites have held steady, the category of “banned breeds or types” has remained healthy and immersed in all areas of society, and deaths attributed to dog bites has also stayed roughly the same or in some cases risen due to perhaps the increase in the total dog population as well as the human population."

On a completely unrelated note! My trainer has suggested I try the Thunder Shirt for my boy's lawnmower anxiety. Has anyone given it a try? Does it work/not work?

ETA: Bonus time! Krypto's new shirt!

Charles Bronson (the dark brindle boy in the video) was found tied to my biz fence about a month ago. He's big (55 - 60 pounds), young, (1-ish), and sweet as pie. He needs training and consistency in a home setting to refine his rough manners, but damn is he a cutie!

Here's a video of him playing with one of my employee's dogs (a 5-6 month old mix found under a dumpster in January) and his BFF LOBSTER.

This is Luka, learning how to drink from an irrigation sprinkler.  It is, as you can imagine, a rather soaking wet process.  ;)

Submarine dog.

Chico at the river on Saturday. He loves it, I wish I could have gotten some of him in the spring though.

My in-laws' elderbull, Chief, waiting patiently for handouts during our visit this afternoon. :)

This is the wettest photo I have of Delilah so far, since she's only been with us a few weeks:)

This girl was born to swim (and pee a LOT afterwards.)

My mom was so... unthrilled when I adopted my first pit bull. And then even more exasperated when I adopted my second. But for whatever reason, she completely holds Mushroom's heart. He lives with me, but in his heart, he belongs to her. And my mother has become an outspoken defender of pit bulls.

Gotta love when that happens :)

From Homelessness to Happiness : A Shelter Dog Finds Love | hanabolus | YouTube -- [For more about Stella's story, see: http://caspca.blogspot.com/2011/12/her-spca-given-name-was-stella.html] -- What a wonderful portrayal of an elderbull's life after rescue. :)

Lover Not a Fighter | The Unexpected Pit Bull -- [Introducing 'LOVER NOT A FIGHTER.' A new DEAN RUSSO piece created exclusively for THE UNEXPECTED PIT BULL. Dimensions: 8 inches x 10 inches (or 11x14) print from the original artwork Signed by artist, Dean Russo.] -- We might have to order one of these prints. :)

GOOD MORNING SIR

So I've been at the police academy all week. I got to come home for the weekend(two more weeks to go!). Mom has been here taking care of the dogs while I was away.

She called me the other night saying she had let the dogs out, fed them, put them to bed for the night and about 30 minutes later, all the dogs were going nuts. Barking, howling, just being a pain in the ass. She ignored it and about 30 minutes after that, went out to sit on the front porch to talk to her boyfriend.

Mid conversation, she looks up the road... RIPLEY IS WANDERING THE STREETS. Like, totally loose in the neighborhood!! She said she called him and he came right to her.

Apparently she hadn't latched his crate properly, he got loose, then went out a window that a window mounted A/C was in. He was loose for almost an hour, just running the neighborhood and she had no idea.

Does not set well for my nerves when I'm away and can't come back.

And sorry, it was kind of pointless, just needed to vent.

He spends the vast majority of his time sleeping. Or upside down. Or sleeping upside down.

Spotty nose? Check. Tongue? Check. Crazy lips? Check.
Isn't he just classy?



Someone needs his teeth cleaned.

She does have fresh water available at all times, I promise. Our apartment is really dry & so is her nose occasionally.

( a few more )

After handling class last night, Smooch go to meet Lukovich (Luke) the 4-month-old omgGreatDanePuppy. (That boy is almost entirely legs and bone. :D)



( One more Luke )

In case you haven't seen this:

National Canine Research Council's article

AVMA's "The Role of Breed in Dog Bite Risk and Prevention"

Or you could simply read it ( here )

[xposted to skreidle]

Aurelia not giving up on case against service dog | Storm Lake Pilot Tribune -- [Snickers, the service dog from Aurelia who was ordered by the city council to be removed from the home of Jim Sak and his wife Peggy Leifer in December, but was returned to the family two weeks later after the Honorable Judge Mark W. Bennett heard the case in district court and granted the motion for preliminary injunction for Snickers, is back in the news.] -- My friend Aimee commented:

"Dear City of Aurelia,

Your local law does not trump the Americans Disabilities Act. You will not win. Your residents need to recall your city council members and fire your city attorney for allowing this to go on. This is going to be extremely costly to your taxpayers and there is ZERO chance of winning. Ever heard of Denver, Colorado? Yeah, the Department of Justice already smacked them down for the same thing, and they are a slightly bigger thing than you are."

Pit Bulls - Bad Reputation | WILLINS | YouTube -- [A pro-pit bull video brought to you by BULLY BREED HUMANE SOCIETY! A picture is worth 1000 words, don't judge this breed by what you hear on the news, all across the world pit bulls are wonderful family members just like any other breed. please vote "No" to Breed Specific Legislation!]

The Real Pit Bull | United Against BSL | YouTube -- [Stand up against Breed Specific Legislation!] -- See also: Miami Coalition Against BSL & MCABSL on FB

Goodbye to Barky, Who Perhaps Never Knew She Was a Pit Bull | HuffPost -- [I did not know that Barky was a pit bull when I got her, in the fall of 1998, as I was going -- ignorantly, in so many ways, as it turned out -- into my second year of law school...] (via truthaboutpits)

Such a sweet story about a sweet dog's life. :)

This is what my 3 year old sees every morning when she comes out of her room.

He knows he's not allowed upstairs anymore. He's been banned because he likes to eat all the cat's food.

New member sounding off! Hello, everyone. I'm Erika, proud Pitbull (and Rottweiler) mommy. Our current little beast is a 1 1/2 year old Pitbull rescued from being used as a bait dog. His name is Krypto, after Superman's dog. And he truly is the dog of steel, with a heart of gold.

Some videos of Krypto.

( Cut for discussion of abuse. )

TLDR: My Pitbull, he is awesome. :D

By popular demand, here are some Nellie MACROJOWLS! A couple of other entry candidates are behind the cut.



( moar! )

Pit Bull Pulls Unconscious Owner From Path Of Oncoming Train « CBS Boston


I thought this was neat. A rescued Pit bull tried to pull his owner who had passed out on a railroad track, when there wasn't enough time to pull the owner out of the way the dog stood between the train and the owner. The dog lost her front leg and has had her pelvis fractured but she is expected to live.

Changing Times in Ohio | StubbyDog -- [StubbyDog chats with two Ohio pit bull advocates about the passing of House Bill 14.]

Back on February 21, 2012, animal-welfare history was made in the state of Ohio when House Bill 14 (HB 14) was signed into law by Governor John Kasich. This bill essentially repeals the legislative language that referred to pit bull type dogs as inherently dangerous and/or vicious, regardless of behavior. In addition, it strengthens the state's "dangerous dog" ordinances in a way that punishes an individual dog's behavior rather than judging it based on appearance. The passing of this law effectively ended a 25-year reign of statewide breed-discriminatory legislation in the state of Ohio. In fact, Ohio was the only remaining state to enforce a statewide policy of labeling any pit bull type dog as vicious or inherently dangerous.

The kittens are getting sassier and Herbie remains patient... more patient than me. Check out this video. I'd mute it so you don't have to hear my voice. LOL.

Animal advocates seek new pit bull legislation in special session | The Baltimore Sun -- [A group of animal activists is asking Gov. Martin O'Malley to quickly introduce legislation that would override a Maryland Court of Appeals decision deeming all pit bulls dangerous. Maryland Votes for Animals and similar organizations are urging residents to call the governor's office Tuesday to lobby him to act during the special General Assembly session scheduled to begin Monday.]

MD: Please Protect Responsible Pet and Property Owners | Best Friends Animal Society -- [Please contact your Maryland senator and representative and ask them to enact a reckless owner law that holds irresponsible pet owners liable for the actions of their dogs, regardless of breed or type, and ask them to exempt landlords and property owners from liability.] -- Maryland residents, please sign this one! (Everyone else, plus MD residents, sign this one!)

Pit bull paralyzed while protecting owner gets adopted | Dog Heirs -- [When Chicago police officer Brian Cicio first saw a pit bull named Red, the dog was lying bleeding from a gunshot wound to his back. He had been shot while defending his 60-year-old owner from a home invasion...]

---

This next story isn't about a pit bull, but it's too cool not to share here too. :)

Dog gets around with four bionic paws | Dog Heirs -- [Naki'o is the world's first dog to be fitted with a complete set of bionic paws. They work naturally to allow him to run, jump and play like any other dog. Naki'o lost his paws to frostbite as a puppy after he was abandoned in the Nebraska winter by his owners.]

this is about as close as you can get. i love that you can see his butt in the reflection in his eye.

Huh. So, a friend of mine recently got this message from Change.org:

United Airlines has just scrapped its ban on nine dog breeds they'd singled out as "dangerous" after you and more than 45,000 others signed Jessie Huart's petition!

Jessie couldn't believe it when her beloved 10-year-old pit bull Slaw was refused travel on a United Airlines flight just because of his breed. As she and countless experts know, a dog's appearance has no correlation to aggression -- so she started a Change.org petition asking the airline to judge dogs on their behavior, not their looks.

Vets, trainers and tens of thousands of dog lovers rushed to support her campaign and denounce the policy, driving media coverage from Fox News to the Chicago Tribune. And the pressure worked.

It's a remarkable shift at a time when dogs are increasingly being judged -- and sometimes killed -- solely for their appearance. Jessie says it's a "victory for responsible dog owners everywhere," and she hopes this decision will help pave the way towards eliminating misunderstandings and assumptions about dogs like hers.

So, naturally, I went to United Airlines' Pet Restrictions page to see the update. And it's true, those nine breeds are no longer banned outright, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that misunderstandings and assumptions have been eliminated:

United will accept the following breeds of dogs once they have reached either six months of age or 20 pounds (9 kg) in weight (whichever comes first) only in a reinforced crate meeting International Air Transport Association (IATA) Container Requirement #82.** Please note: This includes mixed breeds of these dogs.

Breeds include:

American Staffordshire Terriers

Ca de Bou

Cane Corso

Dogo Argentino

Fila Brasileiro

Perro de Presa Canario

Pit Bull Terriers

Presa Canario

Tosa (or Tosa Ken)

Determination of breed, age or weight of the animal is to be confirmed by the animal's Health Certificate (dated within 10 days of transport). Additionally, United reserves the right to refuse any animal that displays aggression or viciousness at the time of tender.

**IATA Container Requirement #82 states that the container or crate must be constructed of wood, metal, synthetic materials, weld mesh or wire mesh. Additional design principles regarding frame, sides, floor, roof and doors also apply. No portion of the crate may be plastic. The crate door must be made of heavy wire mesh, metal or reinforced wood and should have a secure means of fastening that cannot be opened accidentally.

"We'll fly them, but we're implying that we still think they're dangerous enough that you'll have to buy a special reinforced crate to ship them in."

My Muttley playing with Iago, a rottie. I love to see him so full of life, usually he is the epitome of laziness...


  

A handy pair of articles (which contain links to more info) to arm yourself with while combating pit bull prejudice and BSL!

Pit Bulls by the Numbers | StubbyDog (stubbydog_rss) -- [A look at the facts surrounding faulty pit bull 'statistics']

What do you do when you read a news story that claims pit bulls make up only 5 percent of the dog population but account for a third or even half of the dog bite related fatalities? Where did these numbers come from, and are they accurate? Here, we examine the truth behind these commonly quoted studies and what the other side is leaving out.

Pit Bull Attack! | Skeptoid -- [Pit bulls have a reputation for being the most dangerous dog breed. Is this reputation deserved?]

Perhaps the most horrifying story to hear on the news is a case of a child being killed by a pack of dogs, hardly anything can incite a more emotional response. We're quick to vilify the dogs; perhaps justifiably so, perhaps not. In the United States, it seems that more often than not, the dogs involved in such attacks are pit bulls. Legislation is quick to address highly emotional issues, and many states now have various bans and limitations on pit bulls. Today we're going to turn our skeptical eye onto the popular belief that pit bulls are truly as dangerous as their reputation suggests.

I hit the wrong button on my phone and ended up with Chico's eye and the white side of his face in my pictures.

How TV gets watched in our house:

THIS IS A BIG FREAKING DEAL EVERYONE. Tayla is so camera-phobic, I rarely, if ever, get shots like this. <3

Close-up of Bella chillin out on the couch :)

Puppy paws!

ETA: Make that "Non-Entry", since his granddaughter Smooch won last week. :)

This was an oops shot but I love it.

County Defies Maryland State Government, Refuses to Profile Dog Breeds | Life With Dogs -- [According to President Blaine Young of the Frederick Board of County Commissioners, Frederick County will not profile pit bulls into extinction due to this unfortunate ruling.] -- Go Frederick County! :D