Wallflowers Part 1: Todd

We have a few dogs in our system right now that don't take centre stage, they don't really stand out for any particular reason....they aren't cute puppies....but they are the kind of dogs that you could adopt and then realise that not only are they amazing, it feels like you've always owned them.

They do have 'special needs'. And, we are hoping that by telling the public what those needs are, and promoting the dogs along with those needs, we will be able to rouse someones interest in at least one of these dogs. I am going to post about each of these dogs every couple of days, so stay tuned.

First is TODD, and he is first because he's been with us the longest. Todd came to us from Butte, Montana on September 10th. He was running at large and never claimed by his owner. The shelter staff had met Todd before, frequent flyer at the shelter!, and were hoping that one day the owner wouldn't come for him, and they could see him off to a new home that would truly love him.

Todd is about 4 or 5 years old and is about 75 pounds. His ears and pouty bottom lip are not his most endearing quality.....its his kisses. He is the best people dog you could ask for. I am his foster mom, and really and truly love this nerdy boy. He is perfectly crate trained, and amazing with my kids, ages 5 and 8. He is totally in love with our dog, a petite Pitti X named Ivy. I've never heard him bark and he has never had an accident in our home or destroyed anything.

Todd is a gentle soul, he loves to snuggle and will do so for hours. He is an old man in the sense that when out in the yard, he will wander the whole yard, time and time again, to sniff all the sniffs and find that most perfect place to pee, or to sit in the sun. He never asks for a thing.

The issues: Todd pulls like a bull on leash, all the time, no matter what. I choose not to walk him, simple as that. I go out into the yard with him, he loves games of tag and tug, and we get his exercise needs met that way. We have a volunteer dog walker most days of the week who owns a crazy puller Pit Bull himself, so he does walk Todd. He does calm down by the middle part of the walk, according to the walker, and from there is more attentive to the person, yes its a person, on the end of the leash. He would love to jog, and is amazing on a bike, you don't have to peddle!

Todd also can't be adopted out to a home with cats, or male dogs. He's met a few male dogs and doesn't charge in all ego or anything, he casually approaches and then latches on!! We didn't really realise what he was doing the first time cuz there was no warning. So, we held the dogs still til Todd let go, and were shocked to not find a single puncture on the other dog. With the cat, same thing, he saw it, chased it and got it.....my crusty old cat who isn't dog savvy....and proceeded to carry him around the house much to my house sitters dismay! When he dropped the cat, the house sitter of course rushed the cat to the vet, but again, no punctures, no broken bones, nothing. Honestly, if Todd wanted to hurt another dog or cat, he has the power and strength to do so, but we've decided that he just wants to 'hold' things. But, that would definitely not be appropriate and understood in all homes, so we are hoping that a home without cats and with a submissive and calm female dog would be interested in meeting the Nerd as he's affectionately called. Are you interested?

TODD in a nutshell : 4-5 years old, neutered male Pit Bull, amazing with kids, less amazing with male dogs and cats. Perfectly house and crate trained, about 75 pounds of puller and cuddler.

Foster homes opinion: Would I keep him....yes I would!

The Coolest Collars and Leashes EVER!!!

Being pet owners on top of rescuers, we are always on the lookout for cool product for our dogs. I grew up with a Golden Retriever who, because of her long hair, had the same collar from the time she was 1 year til she passed at 10. When we got our little Pitty, Ivy, I suddenly noticed how boring collars can be on a dog where you can see the collar all the time!

Our family travels at every chance we can get, and I am always stopping at pet shops looking for unique collars......I found some! I was in the Lexi Dog store in Portland, Oregon and spotted a great collar, it had a seat belt buckle for the clasp and a great pattern. It was a teeny tiny size, but I had to get one!

Back home in Alberta, I started researching where I could get that collar and found the company, One Eye Blue, out of California. I called the guy up and told him that we are a Pit Bull Rescue and how great the designs of the collars were. He said that we could order wholesale quantities and use them as a 'year round' fundraiser!! How exciting. I ordered the first 15 sets about 4 months ago and they went like hot cakes. Then ordered another 20 sets, and out of that order, I only have 3 sets left.

We thought we would post about them as they are so cool, love the seat buckle closure as it is very tough and won't just let go when our pitties see a bunny! Anyone ever had that happen?!! I know Jenn had a worn out clasp give out on her a few weeks ago due to a bunny! Anyways, the clasps are awesome and the patters are kick-ass! I hate boring collars, but also don't like seeing Pitties wearing studded collars cuz it make them look WAY meaner then they ever could be. The patterns from One Eye Blue are like tattoos, lots of skulls and things like that, but then the other patters are just as cool. my personal favorite this week is the Twisted Fairies pattern.

So, please logon to www.oneeyeblue.com and check out the great patterns of collars and leashes. I am putting an order together in the next week or so, so that we can get them in before xmas. The website cost on a set is $45 plus then you have to pay taxes, duty, and shipping. If you'd like to order with our order, we get them for a bit cheaper, the set would be $40 with everything included. Let us know if you would like to order a few sets as gifts, or if you have a couple dogs that you'd like to dress up.

They are on the road!!!

The Ohio dogs left Youngstown yesterday afternoon!!!

The shelter lady that helps save the dogs out of the shelter and holds them until we can figure out transport, was sad and excited to see them getting loading into the truck bound for Canada. We all know how easy it is to get attached to our foster dogs, but to not see them thru to adoption and instead, just see them leave in a truck, her emotion and heartbreak is very understood. You have done a wonderful job of keeping these kids safe and alive Carrie, our hats are off to you!!

Now, onto the dogs:

Vinni

A tan male, with adorable floppy ears. Carrie says he is begging to run off the energy he has pent up after weeks of shelter life. He is about a year old and 60 pounds of happy!

Rennie

This cutie is from Massachusettes and got to hitch and ride with is best friend Bobbi. They too were very much loved members of a shelter with staff that fought to find a way to keep these two alive and get into rescue. Rennie is a black male Pitti, his full name is Renegade which I think is a cool name.

Rennie is said to be a little bit shy at the beginning but would love to lay on someone's feet all day long. Outside is for playing, inside is for chilling!

Misha

This sweet and mild lady is said to be 'ready and looking for kissing!' She is about 2 years old, and weighs in at about 60 pounds. Her ears were horribly cut off by her owners. They have healed, but aren't 'pretty'. I think her overall look is beautiful, what a rich chocolate color. Will make a wonderful companion.

Hershey

Talking about rich chocolatey goodness, here is Hershey. Carrie says this boy lived with kids, cats and other dogs in his old home and is playful with all. He is about a year old and a healthy 50 pounds.

Bobbi

Here is Rennie's girl. She is a sweet, toy obssesed gal! She is white with tan markings and loves toys. The shelter staff said that her and Rennie were the best of friends, but Bobbi here is very friendly to all types and sizes of dogs. She is active and might do good in agility. She will do anything for a toy to hold and carry around with her, even on her walks! She is about a year old.




SAGE

This little cutie as white with brindle markings. She is about a year old and weighs 45 pounds.




#758

This darling doesn't have a name, just a kennel number. She is a timid littleblue girl who weighs only about 40 pounds. She is said to be around 2 years old. Carrie says she is super duper sweet and melts after a few minutes of tender pets and words. I can't wait to hold her! Any name suggestions?

#710

Also, just a kennel number. This handsome block-headed boy not only has wildly wonky ears, he is also a doll and super happy to all he meets. A name for this boy is needed too for anyone who wants to send in a name.

Transport

As most followers know, we've been taking dogs from all over, mostly from the States in areas where Pit Bulls are restricted or banned. We've been able to put together two transports that brought up 21 dogs from Ohio. All of those dogs were so amazing and got adopted way faster then we were prepared for!

We are trying to get one more transport from Ohio together before the snow hits. There are 10 PBs from Ohio and 2 from Massachusetts that are looking to come to Canada for a chance at a new life. Because of the physical and mental exhaustion involved in transporting dogs for 25 hours, one way, we've looked at another option for this transport.

There is a transport company that specializes in dogs. They have offered to give us a discount for the amount of dogs that we are transporting and because they are rescue dogs. We are able to get all 12 dogs shipped to the border for 1200 bucks.

We are reaching out to our past adopters, and ones that support these beautiful dogs and our efforts, and we have to ask for help to raise the funds to bring these dogs up. If you have adopted one of the Ohio dogs from past transports, you know the joy they've brought to your family, please help us save more just like yours.

Donations can be sent in by chq to 1024 - 16 Street South Lethbridge, AB T1K 1X1 or we can also do email debit transfers. We also have a rep in Calgary that can accept chqs on our behalf as well. Please call 403-795-2599 for more information or if you have any questions about our group.

Happy Ending - Our Roxy, Now Juno!

Roxy and Zena were brought to us as completely scared, un-socialized 12 weeks old pups. They had never been in a house, or touched for that matter. They would stick like glue to each other and scream if one was out of sight. Persistence and patience in the foster home paid off and both girls were finally emotionally ready to be separated and go into new homes of their own.

Roxy (now Juno) went to a great family in the Medicine Hat area, and Zena (now Riley) is in Okotoks. Here is an update from Juno's family.

"We adopted Juno as a 3 month old puppy, who was extremely shy and fearful of people. She is now growing up and is such a happy and important part of our family. She is no longer shy and fearful, in fact she is sooooo excited to meet new people and dogs and is a big ball of energy! She has soooo much fun with our 5 year old and 1 year old! She is extremely gentle with the little one and knows that our little one is the boss. We have had such a great experience not only with Juno, but with the whole adoption process through Prairie Pit Bull Rescue, they have wonderful workers who are always available for all sorts of questions, and are very kind, thoughtful, and understanding! We love the organization and what they do for so many dogs!"

Sincerely,
The Newton Family!

Thanks so much for the update guys!

Wassss Up?!

Summer is over, well.....it never really started did it?! Personally, I feel cheated and teased, and now I just want the leaves to start falling, I am over with summer.

Summer was really busy for us here in Pit Land. We started this group off slowly in February and have been going full steam since. I was talking with Jenn about all the dogs we've helped and until we wrote it all down, we didn't really realise HOW many there have been. Thought we'd brag a bit about all our adoptions to you! (we split it up by where the dogs came from)

Great Falls: Sadie, Duke, Skippy, Rebel, Hoss,

Kalispell: Brutis, Rosie, Ozzi, Gabby, Charm, Joker, Henry, Coda, Moosh, Tino, Twiggy, Slim

Ontario: Sasha, Tyson

Ohio (1st trip): Maybelline, Chaplin, Camren, Piper, Clyde, Yager, CJ

Ohio (2nd trip): Mattie, Sha-Nay, Boomer, Major, Sassy, Steve-O, Bronx, Bruce, Brittany and Piggy

Massachusetts: Trousers

Owner Surrenders: Zena, Roxy, Suri, Katana, Lloyd, Bayne, Lexis

**(We have taken in some Pitti crosses that were adopted out thru Prairie Dog Canine Rescue, a mixed-breed rescue group. Abbie and Zach are happy in new homes, and Sprite is still waiting.)**

That comes to 44 dogs people!!!

All of the dogs have been amazing, like so amazing Jenn and I have thought about keeping all of them! We've also been amazed at the great people that have applied for the dogs and have made us a part of their family. Welcoming us into their homes all over southern Alberta for home checks and follow up visits. We love to hear how the dogs are doing in their new homes with their new families and we are asking for you guys to send in Happy Tails for us to read and yeah, cry, over! We'll be posting these tails for all to read in the Happy Endings part of the site.

Something new: We would love to do up a calender for 2011 of the dogs that we've adopted out during 2010. This would mean that if you want your new pooch to be 'in print', you have to send in those Happy Tails and some pictures so that we can put them into the calender. The calenders would be used as a fundraiser, and hopefully available in mid-November to early December.

Cut off for the pictures and write ups is: November 1st.

Can't wait to read about how 'our' dogs are doing and be able to put them into the calender.

Dogs in the Park

Because all of our dogs are kept in foster care until they are adopted, it isn't practical to have those homes open to the public for viewing the dogs.

Every once in a while though, we have a Dog Day in the Park, where all our adoptable dogs are together at a local park to be seen and talked about, which would hopefully lead to an adoption.

Our day in the park is being held this Saturday in Lethbridge from 1 - 4. Its held at a beautiful park, located on the corner of 16th Street and 10A Ave South.

We welcome all to come on down to Lethbridge to say hi, meet the dogs, give them treats......and take one home?!!

If you need directions, please call Natalie at 403-795-2599 or email us.

The Momma Dog

This beautiful girl is Maybelline.

She was named that because she sports stylish blue eye shadow markings and we thought about naming her after a cosmetic line!

She is about 2 years old, and has been bred many times by an irresponsible owner down in Ohio. She came up after been seized from the owner, PitBulls are banned in that city, and she was destined for the needle. A great rescue group down there pulled her because of her amazing personality and I'm sure her soft and gentle eyes had something to do with it too.

Although being a mom comes second nature to Maybe, she is also still playfull, goofy and puppyish herself. She is very good with all dogs she meets, and is friendly, but not excitable and jumpy, when she meets people. She is crate trained and does good in her crate, but prefers to be within kissing reach of her special people.

Maybelline loves to get her excersise at the off leash parks with her foster mom. She also loves to go along on bike rides and will take a dip in the river for a cool down too.

Maybelline would be a great addition for a family with or without small kids, older kids are fun too. Other dogs of all sizes and ages are going to love Maybelline. She is currently being fostered in Calgary. Please contact us soon to add this beautiful girl to your home.

WELCOME!!

Prairie Pit Bull Rescue is proud to unleash our new blog page!

If you are new to our site and blog, let us tell you a bit about ourselves.


We are two girls, gals, ladies.....chicks who have a thing for the bullies! We both volunteered for a Pit Bull rescue for about 4 years, before bringing Prairie Pit Bull Rescue to Southern Alberta.


PPBR started in February of 2010, we took a few PitBulls from the Kalispell Animal Shelter, just to 'test the waters' in regards to the response from the local area to the breed of dog. Things went really well, the dogs were amazing, great temperments and personalities. We decided that if adoptions went well and it seemed that a PBull rescue would work here, we'd make April 1st our official first day.

April 1st, came and we became official!

We've been having a great time with this group, the dogs have been amazing and the people have been just as amazing. As with rescue, things can be disheartening and cause all to be very disappointed and depressed, but we are determined to keep our chins up, make sure the dogs stay safe and happy and plug on!!

We'd like to welcome all to our site, please contact us if you have any questions or comments about our rescue program or if you would like to foster or adopt one of our beautiful dogs. Blog posts will be happening every couple of days with update and new pictures of the dogs in our group, stay tuned.....