Underdogs Go South

One of my family's favorite TV shows is Animal Planet's Pit Bulls and Parolees.  Although we don't always catch the show at its regular air time, we can usually catch it through our cable's "on demand" feature.  If you've never watched this show, (where've you been?) it's about a tough, heart of gold Pit Bull rescuer who runs a huge rescue ranch in California with her daughters and extended family of parolee guys.  See, Tia Marie Torres doesn't just rescue Pitties.  Her husband is incarcerated and she believes in second chances.  She's opened her heart to parolees, helping them get their lives on track by caring for the dogs at Villalobos Rescue Center in California.

Yeah, she's pretty awesome...

Tia is one of those women who really knows dogs.  She also really knows people.  She's tough as nails and has razor-sharp intuition.  Her daughters impress me and I hope I can raise my own to have the same strength and sense of self that her two have.  And to also instill in her a rescuer's heart.  Raising a strong girl is tough work - she's done it twice.  Cheers to you, Tia!

Tia with daughters, Tani and Mariah

Pitt Bulls and Parolees is one of the few TV shows that has actually moved my own 14 year old daughter to tears.  She says Tia is tough like me (aw, shucks).  She's grown so attached to Fenway (who's suspiciously of Pittie lineage) and empathizes deeply with the plight of these rescue dogs.  It's a beautiful thing to see, really.  

BFF's

So why have I told you all this?  

I just finished watching episode 12, season 3 -"on demand", of course- and got some wonderful news.  Villalobos Rescue Center has moved to New Orleans!  Any of you who follow my blog know how much I love New Orleans.  It's the city that truly holds my heart.  

Now this was no easy move for them, I'm sure.  People, belongings, and over 150 Pit Bulls were moved!  Only Tia... 

Tia and her family

I wanted to help spread the word here and ask you to visit their website.  They're humanitarians, rescuers, and relentless champions for the ultimate underdogs - Pit Bulls and  parolees.  If you read through their site, you'll find they ask for doggie goods, volunteers, and financial support.  

As though my family needed any more reason to go to New Orleans?  It makes sense for them to be there.  If ever there was a place that will be home to a tough fight, New Orleans fits that bill.  Good luck, Tia!  Maybe someday we can clink Hurricane glasses and talk dogs, raising teenage girls and fighting the good fight.  

Cheers!

Deep Ellum Dog, er ...Arts Festival 2011

This past weekend was the Deep Ellum Arts Festival in Dallas.  For those of you unfamiliar with Dallas, Deep Ellum is an edgy pocket of an otherwise fairly blended city.  Dallas is full of big box store shopping, chain restaurants, and manicured lawns.  The nails are done, the hair is bleached and the man's uniform is khaki's and a collared polo shirt.  Deep Ellum is none of those things.  This is where the artists drink, show off their ink and thrive.  It reminds me of Portland, Maine which we miss dearly as many of you already know.    

An angle of downtown Dallas

We have a family tradition of weekend brunch - either at home or at some yummy spot.  We recently discovered the All Good Cafe in Deep Ellum.  They were featured on the Travel Channel for some of the best bacon in the country.  We certainly had to challenge this bold statement.  They weren't kidding!  This is some dynamite bacon - peppered and cooked just right.  What you don't see in the pic is my brunch beverage, a frosty Guinness!  Here's a pic of their Chicken Fried Steak and eggs, with a side of bacon of course.  

For those of you unfamiliar with this southern delicacy, Chicken Fried Steak is a thin steak deep fried, then smeared with thick, creamy gravy.  

Heart attack?  Yes.  Delicious?  Yes again!

As we sat eating and watching people pass by, browsing the artists' booths, we noticed something interesting. There were dogs everywhere!!!  I was in heaven!!!  So naturally, I pulled out my camera and started shooting.  And as we walked about, we were again reminded of how wonderful dog people are - a kindred connection that crosses all geographical differences!

But first, some art for your enjoyment:

A view of the Festival 

Dragon Cow! 

Metal Work

The Violin Guy - we bought his CD!

And now for the Dogs!

Of course we found some wonderful husky parents with this kiddo - he was such a dear!
His mom's an Interior Designer!!

And finally, Creasy, looking for a bit of shade.

We had a wonderful time.  I hope your weekend was dog-filled!

Almost Wordless Wednesday...I want as many people to know the "real" Vick as possible

I just had to address the most recent fiasco involving Michael Vick and now the city of Dallas.  I can't say that I'm shocked, but I'm angry enough to post this today.  More on the Nyxie story later...



If you want to know the real Vick and what actually happened, please read The Lost Dogs by Jim Gorant.

Here's the Amazon link if you want to buy this book.  

I just finished it and it's well-worth the read for anyone interested in justice, compassion and stories of actual redemption!  

Logic

I recently had an experience that's been on my mind for several days.  I was playing with a Rottie puppy at my clinic who's been boarding with us, when a young man approached us.  As puppies will do, he nipped joyfully at the newcomers hands, play-bowing and hopping about happily.  After we exchanged a few pleasantries, the young man tells me that although the pup's cute now, "all these breeds - Rotties, Pitties and German Shepherds - they can turn on you when they're older".

I was floored and once I'd regained my composure enough to contradict him with LOGIC, I shared with him my personal experiences.  I explained to him that as an owner of 2 of the 3 breeds he mentioned, I'd had nothing but unswerving loyalty and devotion from each.  What  followed was the usual chatter about breeds, media hype and bad owners and then the young man went on his way.  I don't know that I was able to change his mind, but surely his beliefs weren't based on scientific research or personal experience with vast numbers of dogs of these breeds.  They were conjecture.

So now you're thinking that I'll discuss more about breeds, predispositions, temperaments and misconceptions...

Nope.

In mulling all this over for the past week or so, I've come to the conclusion that we expect too much from dogs.  They are expected to be unflappable in the face of pain, loyal when faced with neglect and utterly submissive when bullied.  How much would you take if someone were hitting you, teasing you, or otherwise mistreating you?  The healthy answer would be that you would stop that treatment as quickly as possible.  Either by discussing it, pushing back or simply walking away.  What is considered "turning on you"?  What's the context?  You're walking through your house and Sadie your German Shepherd of 5 years suddenly decided the Kibbles 'N Bits are unacceptable (I can't say I'd blame her) and hauls off and goes for your jugular?!  I find this hard to believe.  A more conceivable, yet troubling scenario is that Sadie is under- socialized, lives in the backyard, is tied to a chain and when you smack her around a bit, or take food from her bowl, she snaps at your hand.

So how much do we expect our dogs to take from us?  If your friend lied to you once, slapped you once, ignored and neglected you, you'd probably stop returning their phone calls.  Stop going to their house, stop the relationship once and for all.  A dog doesn't have that option.  Her first line of defense is the growl, then snap.  Forget about breed propensities - I've seen many a 3 lb chihuahua turn into a piranha pooch at the sight of a nail trimmer.  But wouldn't you react if you were hurt or scared?

So the next time you hear someone talking about a dog "turning" on its owner, conduct your own little experiment.  Raise your arm and bring it really far back, and slap them across the face.  Slap them really hard.  I'm pretty sure they'll act just like a dog.