Introducing the newest members of the Pit Crew…

Eva

Holly (aka Wink)

Sakari

Rita

Sugar

Titan

Watch each of the proud graduates strut their stuff to Pomp and Circumstance!

Titan graduates!  Wink graduates!  Sugar graduates!  Eva graduates!  Rita graduates!  Sakari graduates!

All of the graduates did an outstanding job of demonstrating their skills and showing that they have the right stuff to be successful Pit Crew members.  All of the dogs are rescue dogs, and each of them has already earned their Canine Good Citizen certification.

Holly and Erica relax post-commencement

Love-a-Bull is especially proud to announce that Wink is the first Love-a-Bull adoptee to become a member of the Pit Crew.  Congratulations Holly (a.k.a. Wink) and Erica!

Holly has seen some tough times in her a life, and has overcome some serious obstacles to become the healthy, capable girl she is today.  A few of the new recruits celebrated as the humans made plans for everyone to attend Pints for Pits later that evening to further toast the new graduates.

This journey was a long time coming, but Mustang Sally finally made her way down to Austin — with another pittie traveling buddy, Coltrane, who also got a second chance at life.

Mustang Sally’s story first began almost 4 months prior on the afternoon of Thursday, December 22, 2011 when Cleveland police raided a suspected dog fighting ring and confiscated 20+ pit bulls.

The stories of the rescued pitties and the developing dog fighting case were covered across multiple news networks and countless blogs over the next few months — from these stories on Cleveland’s local channels Fox8, newsnet5.com, WKYC to updates on the Examiner – providing continued coverage of the dog fighting case and the rescued dogs.

So how did the dogs get all the way to Austin? Julie Konopinski, a wonderful volunteer with Cleveland Animal Control, helped in networking to contact rescues to pull these dogs from the shelter — and that’s when Love-A-Bull got involved! Then a group of some amazing pilots from Pilots N Paws agreed to help transport all the way from Ohio to Texas.  But, in seemed like a long way for her to go alone?  So, Coltrane bummed a ride!

Before the scheduled departure, we found out one of the dogs from the fight bust was going to be adopted by someone in the area. Woohoo! But that meant there was an open spot to fill — so what was the next best thing to do? Give another pittie a second chance too!

Yep! You better believe their trip made the news: Pit Bull from Dog-Fighting Ring Flown to New Home.

Within just a few weeks of arriving in Austin both pups had already been adopted! You can read about their new families here.

Find photos of the dogs rescued by the Cleveland Police and Cleveland Animal Control Wardens on 12/22/11 in this Facebook album “Hope for the 27″ and “More of the 27″.

Last Saturday, I caught up with the trainees and they are in top form. Check out the Pit Crew trainees!

Jewels welcoming Nate to Pit Crew training

During last week’s class, the dogs interacted with a new friend, Nate, who uses an electric wheelchair. Luckily, Nate is accustomed to be surrounding by lots of dogs!  Nate and the dogs really seemed to enjoy themselves, sharing lots of licks and sniffs.

Sugar does her best Tigger impression for Nate

The pups also trotted around the training room for a walk with their new buddy Nate, and Sugar even did a trick! Sugar is deaf and is trained solely with hand signals — that girl can focus!

In preparation for their graduation exam, trainer Crystal had the dogs perform “leave it” tasks, using particularly smelly treats to test their discipline. The “ultimate leave it” was Crystal’s dog, Jack.

Handsome Jack

Given how handsome Jack is, it was tough for some of our canine ladies to resist him. “Ahem, Jewels, I saw you making eyes at Jack,” said Eva.

Eva knows flirting when she sees it

Trainer Crystal also emphasized the importance of proper “sits” and downs.”  This means the dogs should react to the command promptly, without their humans having to coax them into the sit or down.

Rita paying close attention in Pit Crew class

Wink getting a post-work out belly rub

This class has been an exemplary group, and we have high hopes for all of them to pass next week!
 
 
 
I am looking forward to meeting the newest members of Love-a-Bull’s Pit Crew all-Pittie Therapy Dog group! Stay tuned for the graduation ceremony photos to be taken this weekend!

But, perhaps more now than ever, our voices need to be heard by our own local elected officials – to confirm that the interests of pitties are being fully represented on the City Council dais.  Well, HERE’S YOUR CHANCE (and we need you!) to join other passionate animal advocates:  Once again, the Austin No-Kill Coalition, along with Love-a-Bull, Austin Pets Alive!, and FixAustin, will be hosting a forum with the 2012 City Council candidates this Sunday at 4 pm at Abel’s on the Lake.  Committed participants include Lee Leffingwell, Brigid Shea, Mike Martinez, Bill Spelman, Laura Pressley, and Dominic Chavez.  

These candidates will be asked some tough questions, and we need to hear their answers.  Love-A-Bull is specifically asking the candidates to share their stance on breed-restrictive housing policies in Austin.  It’s one of the hardest hitting issues that pittie guardians face.  It impacts 99% of the rental community here, various homeowners with restrictive HOA’s – all told, thousands of existing pittie guardians and many more potential pittie adopters who can’t find a place to live.  If you want to hear their responses on this issue, please JOIN US ON SUNDAY.  If you want to know who supports equal treatment of all dogs in Austin, regardless of breed, please JOIN US ON SUNDAY.  If you want to stand up for the rights of pitties in Austin and make an informed decision at the polls, please JOIN US ON SUNDAY.  If you merely want to sit in the audience with your Love-A-Bull shirt and listen to the discussion, please JOIN US ON SUNDAY. 

We are not afraid to speak up on behalf of the dogs we love.  But, our voice can be stronger and louder with you in the room.  Love-A-Bull has almost 1300 local members of its Meetup Group – can you imagine if every one of these members attended this event?  Or even just 10% of this group!  It will be the most valuable hour that you will spend loving your dog all week.  

RSVP to our Meetup event, or just show up.  But, please, JOIN US ON SUNDAY.

Co-hosted by “WTF” and Ctrl TX Disc Golf Clubs

Saturday, May 5, 2012
Cat Hollow Disc Golf Course

Registration/Check-in: 8:30am-9:00am
Tournament: 9:30am

Cost: $25/person
* 1 Round – 18 Hole Course
* Individual Scoring
* 5 People per Score Card
(All players receive a goodie bag)

Beginners to Professionals, all are welcome!
Well behaved, leashed dogs also welcome.

REGISTER HERE: http://doggonediscgolf.eventbrite.com

It’s a Cinco de Mayo celebration!
Giveaways ~ Silent Auction ~ FREE Food and Drinks

Directions:
Cat Hollow Disc Golf Course: From 620, between I-35 and 183, go north on O’Connor (HEB at the corner) about a mile. Turn right at the stop sign on Liberty Walk Dr. The parking lot is on the right.

For details on sponsorship or further event information, contact Lindsey at 512.773.7434 or events@love-a-bull.org.

Share with friends!
• Here’s the event link on Facebook
• Here’s the event link on Meetup

Click the thumbnail on the right to view and download or print the event flyer.

So …
Shangri-La is hosting another “Pints for Pits” fundraiser for us from 6-10 pm on Saturday, April 28th. They’re donating a keg, and we get the proceeds from sales of draws.

This place has a great outdoor patio, so bring your pooch and your pocketbook — and invite your friends and family (and their dogs) to join us! It will be fun way to get to know each other and show our pittie pride at this dog-friendly hang-out spot.

We’ll have T-shirts for you and your pooch, stickers and other goodies for sale. Not to mention the coolest pint glasses around!!!

PLEASE spread the word to others — we want a big turnout. It will be a great time!

You can find this event both on Facebook and on Meetup.
Or click this thumbnail on the left to view and print the event flyer!

We want to introduce ourselves and tell you about all the ways you can help us to make a difference!

Use the link below to sign up so we know that you’re coming. Please make sure to sign up with YOUR email, and NOT getinvolved@love-a-bull.org — it’s just the default.

Sign Up Now / Learn More

Also, if you have not already, please fill out a Volunteer Form in advance so that we have your contact information.

Contact getinvolved@love-a-bull.org with any questions. We look forward to meeting you!

Don’t worry if you can’t make this one, there will be additional orientation meetings scheduled soon!

In early January 2012, a true hero rescued River near the Colorado River, where River was clinging to a rock.  The extent of his medical history tells a heartbreaking story.  River endured more than any one dog should ever have to.  He was emaciated, heartworm positive, suffering from hypothermia, and one side of his body was covered in deep, gritty wounds and scratches. His injuries suggested that he may have been hit by a car.  River had a fractured hip, a broken toe, and had BB pellets embedded deep in his chest from where he had been shot at some point in his prior life. 

River in His Early Days

He received daily hydrotherapy for his necrotic hip wound and we believed he would need surgery to repair his fractured hip and afterward, he would need heartworm treatment.  A few days after his rescue, River collapsed,  and stopped breathing. This led to the discovery that River suffered from a heart condition called an atrioventricular block (or AV block), which impairs the conduction between the chambers of the heart. Although it was unclear what caused this condition in River’s case, we knew that it could be exacerbated in any incidence of high stress or excitement, which could potentially lead to another collapse.  We reached out to the community for support and boy did you all step up!!  River received an overwhelming amount of support from our community.  We were touched when supporters donated money and toys to keep River mentally stimulated while recovering.Initially, because of the extent of his medical issues, we thought it would be best for River to remain at the vet’s office.  His constant need for medical treatment and the need for him to be in a very calm environment made it difficult to find the perfect foster home for River.  The best scenario would have been a home with no other dogs (River couldn’t afford to get excited or play) and nothing too stimulating (small children, etc.).  This had nothing to do with River’s temperament; it was a matter of necessity given River’s heart condition, including his heartworm positive diagnosis. Fortunately we have great news to share … River will not need additional hip surgery!!  This means that River is ready to start his heartworm treatment.  Unfortunately, to date, River is still in boarding and this is not an ideal situation for him to receive heartworm treatment.  The kennel is not conducive to the calm environment he needs to undergo treatment.

River’s wounds have healed nicely and his hair has grown back!  He has gained about 13 pounds and looks great.  His heart condition seems to have disappeared and we suspect that consistent food, shelter, and love might be the cause of the disappearance.  Our trainer suspects that he was a chain dog due to his lack of manners.  Although we don’t have to wonder about River’s history, we can use it as a guide to help him in the future.

River needs to find the ideal, calm foster or adoptive home.  River isn’t fond of cats, but he can go with another dog, one who can help him learn manners and won’t get him overly excited as he will be going through heartworm treatment in the foster home.  He seems eager to learn and is food driven.  He is already learning his basic commands and doesn’t react to barking dogs while on walks.  He is just happy to be out of his kennel enjoying his new life!!  Do you think you might be River’s guardian angel??  If so, fill out an application here.