Gidget

Gidget has quite a career to brag about. A competition dog, she is ranked as the #1 American Pit Bull Terrier and #39 out of all breeds in the American Rare Breed Association (ARBA) competition as of 2009. She has won multiple (ARBA) Best in Shows in addition to the International All-Breed Canine Association (IABCA) Best Puppy in Show award; the IABCA Best Rare Breed Puppy in Show; multiple IABCA Reserve Best Rare Breed in Shows; multiple IABCA & ARBA Reserve Best in Shows; the United Kennel Club (UKC) Reserve Best in Multi-Breed Show; the UKC Grand Champion title at 15 months of age, in addition to a whole host of other victories! She has (of course) passed her CGC and is therapy dog certified! Most importantly, however, she is a beloved member of her family.

Kyuss

This little guy always pulled a crowd. He was well-known all around the Austin creeks and Greenbelt and recognized as one of the more skilled “Diving Dogs.” Kyuss dove the deepest and pulled up the biggest rocks. He made many, many people happy. He was 10.5 years old when he passed away from cancer.  His family and everyone who knew him will always miss his big pittie smile.

Mocha

Mocha is truly an ambassador for pit bulls everywhere. Mocha passed the Canine Good Citizen. However, passing the CGC was just the beginning. She went on to become a Certified Therapy Dog and she regularly works in the Barking Book Buddies Program (where children with low reading scores read aloud to dogs) in addition to the Austin State Hospital, St. David’s Rehabilitation Center and the Austin State School for the disabled. Mocha also represents Love-A-Bull at various grassroots events in an effort to change public perception. Mocha is also a media darling, and has been featured on Fox News twice, as well as Good Day Austin. Mocha also found time in her busy schedule to pose for the 2008 Unexpected Pit Bull calendar, the proceeds of which benefits various pit bull rescues.

Sandy

Sandy’s mom received a call from a Security department where she worked about a stray dog wandering around the parking lot. She was asked to come down quickly because the dog was scaring people while looking for food. When she asked what was scary about a dog looking for food, she was told the dog was “one of those pit bull dogs.” What she found was an emaciated, sun burned, red nosed pit bull that came to her and rolled over on her back, tail wagging, at her feet.

Since that day, Sandy has graduated from obedience class; beginners, intermediate and advanced agility; search and rescue class; and is a Canine Good Citizen – retested and passing every year.

She is now a Divine Canine pet therapy dog, visiting elementary schools and participating in the Barking Book Buddies program. The children read to Sandy and her mom helps them sound out a word or re-read a sentence “because Sandy didn’t hear it” when they are having trouble.

Sandy is a true ambassador of her breed. Sandy has taught her mom about patience, and unconditional love. Her mom has had to endure people going to the other side of a street because she is walking a beautiful, well-trained pit bull that is walking nicely and calmly beside her, but that does not stop her from loving her even more.

Star

Adult pit bulls at shelters are often overlooked by prospective adopters, but if given the chance, these dogs can make wonderful companions. Star is no exception to this rule; adopted from the shelter at around two years old, she learned basic obedience in just a few months and surprised everyone by earning her Canine Good Citizen certification on her first try. Star did well in Delta Therapy Dog classes and is currently enrolled in canine agility classes. She is loving, playful, and friendly toward everyone, and is particularly fond of little dogs. She can sometimes be seen riding in a shopping cart at the local hardware store.

Stinger

Stinger spent the first eighteen months of his life in a shelter and the next eight in foster care (after all that time without guidance, poor Stinger didn’t know a thing). Lucky for him, he was adopted by Love-A-Bull trainer, Jessica Wilson. Now Stinger is a model dog. In fact, he is a Canine Good Citizen. He is also trained to compete as a Dock Dog, and in competitive obedience. He is also working toward his therapy dog certification. Stinger has been busy!  But, primarily, he is Jessica’s beloved pet!