Yes, it’s the much-anticipated first blog post after our crazy, busy weekend in celebration of National Pit Bull Awareness Day! Okay, maybe not but here’s a quick recap of the media coverage thus far, though many of you may have already seen some of the news stories and online articles.

KXAN
Jim Swift once again took the time for an in-depth investigation piece and very lengthy story.
Story: Pit bull lovers campaign for ‘underdog’

CultureMap
You have seen or even spoken with Karen Brooks while she chatted with attendees in the middle of the action at Republic Square Park on Sunday. Her article even had a mini-feature on Justice, the most recent addition to LeRoy Golden’s crew of Frisbee dogs and an Animal Farm Foundation rescue alum.
Story: With a face like that, what’s not to love? Pit bull festival celebrates a misunderstood breed

FOX7
Simple but improved (from last year) story, author unknown.
Story: Pit Bull Awareness Day

KVUE
Steve Alberts’ extremely brief sensationalism-based story.
Story: Man attacked by dog at the Hike and Bike Trail

YNN
Not a story, but an event promo from last Thursday.
Promo: Weekend festival celebrates pit bull pride

Filed under: Media Coverage

Hey, we’re in the newspaper and online! The Statesman’s Austin360 published a quick note about the main event this weekend. Yep, it’s really only a few days away now.

But wait — before you finish reading, don’t forget we also still have tickets available for the exclusive VIP Party on Saturday evening. A BIG thank you goes out to Austin Speed Shop, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Independence Brewery, ZuZu’s Handmade Mexican Food, Love Puppies Brownies, Waialua Soda Works, and Red Bull for making this event awesome!

From Austin360
Published: 1:10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011

a360blast:recreation

SUNDAY

Todd Heisler/THE NEW YORK TIMES

Texas-Sized Pittie Parade and festival. Love-A-Bull, the Austin nonprofit that advocates for the dog breeds commonly known as pit bulls, is behind the local event that’s part of National Pit Bull Awareness Day. The day starts with a parade; gather at 11:30 a.m. in the Statesman parking lot, 305 S. Congress Ave., if you want to participate. Adults, kids and dogs of any breed are welcome (all dogs must be on leash), with costumes encouraged. The parade will leave at noon and march down Congress Avenue toward Republic Square Park, where a festival will run from 1 to 5 p.m. With animal rescue groups, trainers, food and drink, games, music, giveways and more. Celebrity guests include Holly Marie Combs (“Charmed,” “Pretty Little Liars”), musician John Shipe and Austin 101X DJ Deb O’Keefe as master of ceremonies. Canine celebrities include YouTube star Sharky, flying Frisbee dog Karma and the Love-A-Bull Pit Crew, an all-pit-bull therapy dog group. Both events are free and open to the public. A kick-off VIP party and fundraiser is Saturday. That event, with special guests, music, food, drink and a silent auction, will be from 7 to 11 p.m. at Austin Speed Shop, 1414 S. Lamar Blvd. More information: www.love-a-bull.org.

Read the online story here: A bunch of (pit) bull? Find it at the Texas-Sized Pittie Parade and festival.

Tagged: calendar, community, national pit bull awareness day, news media, VIPFiled under: Events, Media Coverage

Hey folks! It’s Jessica from L-A-B guest posting!

HI!

We are frantically pulling the last details for the BIG, HUGE, FANTASTIC, AMAZING, ALL PIT BULL (and their friends), ALL THE TIME , FESTIVAL AND PITTIE PARADE  in November!  And getting SO excited!  It is going to be fantastic!

You are all coming, right?!  Still on the fence?  Well, we have several confirmed guests (Holly Marie Combs, BAD RAP, John Shipe) and just confirmed another one!  SHARKY the Pit Bull!  I bet you are coming now!

No offense, but if you have not heard of Sharky the Texas pit bull – you do not have access to the internet.  Or, like my grandmother, computers scare you.

I digress – Sharky the big, beautiful, gentle PB type dog and YouTube favorite has confirmed with us that he is attending the festival!  In costume with his mom no less!  They will be walking in the parade and col’ kicking it with us and our doggies at the festival!  By the way, there will be a costume contest – so get your dogs ready!

You can find his YouTube movies here: SHARKY THE SUPER RAD PIT BULL FROM TEXAS.

I can’t decide which is my favorite.. Is it the bunny ones?  Or the chick ones?  And, who doesn’t love a cat pestering a dog video?

They are all great!  What a fantastic breed ambassador!

So, get those doggie costumes ready and come on down on the 6th!  Meet and mingle with all of our special guests, including Sharky.  And, let’s celebrate our pit bull type doggies in front of the whole city!  Hell, in front of the whole state!  No, wait – in front of the whole country!

Oh!  And be sure and check this out!  Sharky and his mom, Helen made a special video just for little ol’ us!  Dogs in hats are awesome…Jus’ sayin’

See you in November!

XOXO – Jessica

Tagged: #Austin, #BadRap, #costumes, #HollyMarieCombs, #JohnShipe, #Love-A-Bull, #SharkyThePitbull, #youtube, advocacy, calendar, dog, event, family fun weekend, free, friendly, fundraiser, national pit bull awareness day, news media, nonprofit, pit bull, rescueFiled under: Events, Media Coverage, PBAD

On Saturday, April 2nd, a few of our recently graduated Pit Crew therapy dogs were at the Cedar Park Farms to Market to hang out and do a little showing off too. Britagne Elliott, came by to film some of the activity. Britagne is a reporter for Texas Newswatch, a live broadcast program through the University of Texas’ School of Journalism.

Filed under: Adopt-A-Bulls, Media Coverage

Jessi & Jennifer from Best Friends also had a chance to watch our newest Pit Crew graduates showing off on Saturday.

Thanks to Jessi for the awesome write-up and to Jennifer for the great photography!

See the full article here: http://network.bestfriends.org/campaigns/pitbulls/16963/news.aspx

Read a quick except below:

Austin’s First Pit Crew Class Graduates

March 31, 2011, 11:40AM MT
By Jessi Freud, Best Friends Network volunteer
Photos by Jennifer Hayes

Believed to be the first of its kind in the country, class of seven pit-bull-type dogs completes intensive therapy-dog training program…

On Saturday, March 27, 2011, I got to watch pit-bull terriers change lives at a local Austin elementary school. Clearly, not the venue you typically hear the media reporting on pit-bull terriers hanging out with their guardians on the weekend…

Tagged: Canine Good Citizen, community, dog training, therapy dogFiled under: Media Coverage

This past Saturday, KXAN’s Jim Swift stopped by Gullet Elementary to witness the very first graduating class of Pit Crew therapy dogs.

Here, the dogs and their trainers demonstrated skills in a realistic school environment. But the day wasn’t complete without the graduation ceremony!

Read the full article here:
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/pit-bulls-go-to-work-as-therapy-dogs

A big thank you to Jim for joining us to welcome these graduates!

Tagged: Canine Good Citizen, community, dog training, therapy dogFiled under: Media Coverage

Lydia, Meghan and Rescue Ink’s Johnny O. went on the air with Jason and Deb of 101x on November 5, 2010 to promote Love-A-Bull’s Pit Bull Awareness Day. Check out Pitbull Power! on 101x’s blog and then listen to the clip:
101x Interview with Lydia, Meghan and Johnny O. from Rescue Ink.

Tagged: 101x, pit bull awareness day, rescue inkFiled under: Media Coverage

Beautiful Layla gets a bit of media spotlight and Love-A-Bull talks about its upcoming Pit Bull Awareness campaign!

Filed under: Media Coverage, Uncategorized