Get Your Love-A-Bull Merchandise Now!
February 3, 2010
We have a supply of adorable Doggie Tees as well as Human Tees and Hoodies in a variety of styles, sizes and colors, available NOW.
We also have Unexpected Pit Bull calendars — $10 for non-members, $8 for members.
You may pay online via PayPal (http://love-a-bull.org/about/support/ ) or in person. Contact us (info@love-a-bull.org ) if you have any questions or want to schedule an order pickup.
Join Us for Our Valentine’s Day Fundraiser at Nomad Bar
February 3, 2010
Join us on Feb. 12, starting at 5 PM at Nomad Bar, and support Love-A-Bull!

Wanted: Volunteer PR Coordinator
January 31, 2010
Love-A-Bull is looking for a volunteer to take the reins in a brand new position: public relations (PR) coordinator.
The PR Coordinator would need to be
- Media-savvy
- Social, outgoing, talkative
- Reliable
- Able to pitch intriguing stories to news outlets
The PR Coordinator would get to
- Contact local media sources about our services and events
- Find and connect with other local and state groups that have similar missions and interests
- Handle interviews
- Issue press releases
- Spread the word about our events and services through social media like Craigslist, Holly’s Hot Happenings, Do512, Austin360, News8’s Community Events Calendar, and any other possible free posting
There’s a potential for additional responsibilities as our organization grows and our services expand.
This volunteer opportunity would look great on anyone’s resume, and you would be part of an essential, highly-valued team of core volunteers.
If you are interested in joining our team as the PR Coordinator, please send an email to info@love-a-bull.org and explain why you are a match for the position.
Love-A-Bull Turns One!
January 1, 2010
Happy First Birthday to Love-A-Bull, as we proudly celebrate a full year of significant accomplishments and activities:
- Launch of the Free Training Program to members (to date, over 80 dogs have participated in the program, with over 10 dogs achieving the Canine Good Citizen distinction)
- Four Love-A-Bull members and their dogs actively working as therapy teams
- Pittie Pride Memorial Walk, on the opening day of NFL season (Sept. 13), to protest Michael Vick’s signing by the Philadelphia Eagles and to remember the many victims of dog fighting. Over 40 dogs participated in the walk from City Hall to Jo’s Coffee, along South Congress Avenue.
- National Pit Bull Awareness Weekend (Oct. 24-25), featuring special guest John Garcia, handler and rehabilitator of the Vicktory Dogs from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, and Official Proclamation from Mayor and Austin City Council as “Love-A-Bull Weekend”
- Receiving the Achievement and Project Support Awards from the Animal Farm Foundation in recognition of the accomplishments of Mocha, a breed ambassador, and grant funding to recognize the Canine Good Citizen distinction
- Successful events at Pints for Pits at Shangri-La, and Art for Animals at Maranda Pleasant Gallery, to raise funds and awareness
- Assisting with repeal of breed-specific legislation in Madisonville, Texas
- Outreach and participation in the Violet Crown Festival, City of Austin vaccination clinic, Pet Fest in San Marcos, Barktoberfest, Barkitecture, South Congress First Thursdays, Ice Cream Festival, movie night at the Alamo Drafthouse, Poochinis and Peticures at Lofty Dog, the Thunderbird Subs Turkey Trot, Holiday Photos throughout the year, and other community events
Please join us, support us, and get involved, as we embark on the next year of exciting programs and activities. We cannot achieve our goals without your help and participation!
Holiday Gifts through Love-A-Bull!
December 19, 2009
Why not celebrate this season with gifts for family and friends, and help Love-A-Bull at the same time? We have a supply of adorable Doggie Tees as well as Human Tees and Hoodies in a variety of styles, sizes and colors, available NOW.
We also have Unexpected Pit Bull calendars — $15 for non-members, $12 for members. They’re great gifts for co-workers, Secret Santas, or anyone with a spot in their heart for pitties.
You may pay online via PayPal (http://love-a-bull.org/about/support/ ) or in person. Contact us (info@love-a-bull.org ) if you have any questions or want to schedule an order pickup.
Thanks and happy howl-idays from Love-A-Bull!
Promoting Positive Perception of Pits
November 9, 2009
Check out a great article by Love-A-Bull’s Meghan Turner on Best Friend’s website about our Pit Bull Awareness Weekend events.
Promoting Positive Perception of Pits by Meghan Turner
http://network.bestfriends.org/golocal/texas/13597/news.aspx
A Big THANK YOU!
October 28, 2009
The National Pit Bull Awareness Day Celebration (Oct. 24 and 25) was a HUGE success. Thank you to special guest John Garcia and all the sponsors, vendors, and volunteers that helped us pull it off!
Hundreds of people and their dogs were in attendance throughout the weekend events. We gathered tons of signatures for our anti-BSL petition, talked about our free training program, spread awareness about pit bulls and owner issues, and raised funds for our programs and initiatives.
Congratulations to our raffle winners! Please contact lydia@love-a-bull.org to claim your prize.
- Southwest Airline Tickets: John Pope
- $500 Tattoo Gift Certificate: Dwain Williams
- $250 Lee Mannix Training Certificate: Deb Whitaker
- $235 Blanton Museum Package: Joe Soto
- Custom Jewelry by Eleven17Finery: Amy Herzog
- $100 Gift Certificate from Midtown Grooming: Melissa Alvarado
- OnGuard Bike Package: Patricia Hutt
- $50 Gift Certificate to Cafe Josie: Susan Peters
Check out some of the photos of the events (below) and lots more here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=329268&id=543660631&l=89078ce855 and http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2027189&id=1030100074&l=ccf3f60e1a
Family Fun Day (Oct. 24)
Pet Parade and Costume Contest (Oct. 25)
National Pit Bull Awareness Celebration on Oct. 24 and 25
October 23, 2009

Please join Love-A-Bull in welcoming Best Friends Animal Sanctuary’s famous dog handler John Garcia to Austin on the weekend of October 24-25, 2009, to participate in a weekend of family-friendly events in Austin.
John is nationally known for working extensively to rehabilitate 22 of the 49 dogs (now affectionately referred to as the “Vicktory Dogs”) seized from the bust of the Michael Vick/Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting ring. He is best known for his work and public appearances with Georgia, a sweet, 7-year old toothless female pit bull who, despite being a victim of cruelty and abuse, responds with love to all she meets.
The weekend will feature these FREE events:
A Family Fun Day with John Garcia
October 24, 5 PM – 9 PM at Zilker Hillside Theater
Free to the public! Dogs on leash are welcome. Chairs are not permitted, but blankets or towels are encouraged.
This fun-filled evening of activities will include:
- A public screening of National Geographic Channel’s “Dog Town,” including footage of John working with the Vicktory Dogs at Best Friends (begins at 7:30 PM). Courtesy of The Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow.
- Autographs with John Garcia
- Games and crafts, including: henna tattoos, face painting, balloon animals, bandanna painting
- Under Pressure t-shirt silk screening
- Pumpkin patch photo booth
- Dunk tank (dunk “Michael Vick” for charity!)
- Raffle
- Refreshments: Amy’s Ice Cream, Aloha Sno-Cones and Waffles, Zuzu’s tacos, Solar Natural Foods, Sweet Leaf tea
- Pick the Pit Bull game, trivia, and prize giveaways
- Information and adoptable pets from Emancipet, Happy Endings, Town Lake Animal Center, Best Friends, and Reunion Rescue
- Booths featuring our trainer, Jessica Wilson and Haute Dog Magazine
A Downtown Pet Parade and Costume Contest, led by John Garcia
October 25, 2 PM at Austin City Hall
Free to the public! Bring your leashed loved ones and the whole family for this walk through downtown. Austin Java and Lofty Dog will provide rest stops, and there will be prizes for the best dog costumes! DJ Yoshi will be spinning tunes for your enjoyment. Free Parking in the City Hall Garage (entrance on Lavaca).
Sponsors
You can be a sponsor and see your company logo featured prominently here!
Austin Mayor Proclaims Oct 24-25, 2009 “Love-A-Bull Weekend”
October 23, 2009
Thanks to everyone who came to the proclamation to show their support for Love-A-Bull! We made quite an impression on city council.
Rolling Roadshow Presents “Dogtown” for Family Fun Day
October 23, 2009
Thanks to the Rolling Roadshow at Alamo Drafthouse for spreading the word about our event!
On October 24 at Zillker Hillside Theater, Love-A-Bull will celebrate National Pit Bull Awareness Day with a Family Fun Weekend, including a free public screening of the National Geographic Channel show Dogtown. This episode features John Garcia working with the dogs rescued from Michael Vick. The screening is put on by Rolling Roadshow and will begin at dark.
More information on the Rolling Roadshow webpage at: http://www.originalalamo.com/Show.aspx?id=6930
Please come join us for this fun event!
John Garcia and Love-A-Bull on 101X
October 20, 2009
As our National Pit Bull Awareness Weekend celebration approaches, we’re going to be featured on the Morning Show with Deb and Jason on 101X (101.5 FM)!
Tune in to 101.5 FM on Wednesday, 10/21, at 9:15 AM to hear Deb interview our special guest of honor, John Garcia, Best Friends’ rehabilitator of Michael Vick’s dogs. He’ll also talk about our weekend full of events.
Flyers for Love-A-Bull’s Pit Bull Awareness Weekend
October 8, 2009
Help us spread the word about Love-A-Bull’s Pit Bull Awareness Family Fun Weekend on October 24 and 25!
Download, print, and post these flyers at pet stores, parks, workplaces, vet offices—anywhere you can! Or, save to your computer and e-mail them!
(Choose the look you prefer; both flyers have the same basic info.)
Mayoral Proclamation for Love-A-Bull’s Pit Bull Awareness Weekend
October 8, 2009
National Pit Bull Awareness Day is October 24, and Love-A-Bull is celebrating with a weekend full of family fun!
The Austin City Council will recognize Love-A-Bull’s event with a special Mayoral Proclamation during the city council meeting on Thursday, October 22, at 5:30 PM.
We would love for members and interested community members to attend this city council meeting to hear the proclamation and show our support. Wear some Love-A-Bull or pittie pride gear!
Raffle Tickets for Pit Bull Awareness Weekend
September 21, 2009
Raffle ticket sales will benefit Love-A-Bull. The drawing will be held on 10/25/09.
Tickets: $2 each or 3 for $5
Download and fill out tickets here.
Contact lydia@love-a-bull.org for more info.
•Two Roundtrip Tickets on Southwest Airlines (Limitations and Blackouts Apply)
Donated By Christ Paulis
• Hill Country Tattoo $500 Gift Certificate
Donated By Nathan Haynes, Owner
2124 E. 6th Street, Suite 102, Austin, Texas 78702, 512-243-6666, www.hillcountrytattoo.com
•Lee Mannix Center For Canine Behavior $250 Gift Certificate
6901 Old Bee Caves Road, Austin, Texas 78735, 512-371-3647, www.lmccb.com
•Custom Jewelry by Eleven17Finery, $125 Value
(Donated by Tammy Portwood/Eleven17Finery)
Peridot, Quartz, and New Jade all Delicately Hand-Wired on a Sterling Silver Chain and Clasp, www.eleven17finery.com
•OnGuard Bike Package, $125 Value
(Including JoeBlow Bike Pump, Topeak Alien DX multi-tool, Bulldog LS Lock)
Donated by OnGuard Locks, www.onguardlock.com
• Midtown Grooming $100.00 Gift Certificate
1207 Baylor St., Austin Texas 78703, 512-477-8079, www.midtowngrooming.com
•Blanton Museum of Art Package, $235 Value
(Including 15 Tickets to B Scene, 10 Guest Passes and Journal Gift Package)
200 Martin Luther King Blvd, Austin, Texas 78701, 512-471-7324, www.blantonmuseum.org
•Café Josie $50 Gift Certificate
1200 B West 6th Street, Austin, Texas 78703, 512-322-9010, www.cafejosie.com
Examiner covers Pittie Pride and Memorial Walk
September 13, 2009
The Pittie Pride and Memorial Walk, which was both a chance to show off our great dogs and a way to remember the victims of dog fighting who cannot speak for themselves, was a great success. Despite the possibility of bad weather, nearly 40 members and their dogs attended the walk. We attracted quite a sight downtown!
Read the Examiner article about the walk here: http://www.examiner.com/x-20590-Austin-Dogs-Examiner~y2009m9d13-Austin-shows-its-Pittie-Pride-Love-A-Bull-hosts-a-pride-and-memorial-walk-for-Pit-Bulls
Love-A-Bull member sells her team spirit on eBay
August 16, 2009
Love-A-Bull’s Lydia Zaidman placed her team spirit up for auction on eBay after the Philadelphia Eagles signed dogfigher Michael Vick to their team. The winning bidder chose which team Lydia would root for for the rest of the season. The proceeds from the auction went to Love-A-Bull.
KEYE-TV featured this story on their evening news.
Art For Animals Benefit
May 28, 2009
The Art for Animals Benefit was held on May 28, 2009 at the Maranda Pleasant Gallery to celebrate the efforts of Love-A-Bull and Austin Pets Alive!. The event featured music, refreshments, a raffle, local artwork, and was sponsored by MettaSound Veterinary Imaging.
Love-A-Bull protests illegal BSL in Madisonville
March 10, 2008
Love-A-Bull members went to Madisonville, TX, to protest the passage of breed-specific legislation in that city and to try to educate city leaders about safer, more effective alternative dog laws. Breed-specific legislation is not legal in Texas.
Read the coverage at these links:
KBTX Coverage
Best Friends Coverage






























