Her name is Emmersyn. Emme for short. The boyfriend often calls her Emmers. And my non-public nickname for her, the name that she would be so embarrassed if she knew I was telling you, that nickname is McMuffin. She is My McMuffin. The My being very possessive. There’s a story behind the nickname but because I’m sure that Emmersyn would prefer that we all just forget that I told you her nickname I won’t tell you the story. Instead I’ll tell you why I am head over heals in love with this dog.

Why do I love this dog?

First and foremost I love her gentle nature, sweet personality and calm presence. Emmersyn makes it impossible for us not to take her with us whenever we can. Trips to Lowe’s, softball games, the Farmer’s Market and Emme’s favorite trip of all – trips to get ice cream, complete with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream for the dog that very quickly becomes a slobbery fool in anticipation.

I love Emmersyn’s sweetness. The way she loves people. The way she lights up and radiates when she is around people. Emme is totally in her element when she is out in public, when there are people to meet and attention and love to be had. I love, love, love the way that people love her right back and the wonderful example that her big blockhead and personality are setting for her breed.

Why do I love this dog?

I love her playful nature. Emmersyn is a puppy in an adult body but without all of the work of the puppy – no potty training needed, no puppy energy but still the puppy spirit and goofiness.

This is a dog that will throw toys up in the air to herself. A dog that when taken swimming will slap the water with her big ol’ paw and then cock her head to the side in order to catch the water splashes in her mouth…how could you not love that?

Why do I love this dog?

I love the bit of independence that she has, the way that she’ll cuddle for a bit and then move on to her own space. A lapdog Emmersyn is not. She wants love and attention but then she’s also content with her own space bubble. Her independent spirit is very endearing or maybe it’s just that she reminds me of someone I know.

Why do I love this dog?

I love her perpetual happiness. She has the biggest joker grin that she wears all the time for no special reason. To best describe her is to say that she is happy go lucky. She carries no baggage with her and finds joy in all of her life. Emme is a happy girl and who doesn’t love a happy girl?

How much do I love this dog?

I love her all the way. That’s what we say in our house – love all the way. We love in spite of quirks, in spite of imperfections, we love totally, completely and unconditionally. If you’re going to love a dog what’s the point of loving any other way? But the truth is that Emme is really not that difficult to love, in fact as I’ve listed above, she makes it very easy.

Here’s the catch though - I love Emmersyn all the way but she’s not mine. Well she is mine, she is my foster dog, but she’s not technically and officially mine.  Every time that any interest is expressed in Emme it brings tears to my eyes, enough tears to once force me to leave my desk and go sit in my Jeep in the parking lot at work while I collected myself. It’s not that I want to keep her, it’s that I don’t want to let her go. And yes, there really and truly is a difference between the two.

So what will it take to let Emmersyn go? Perfection, or at least as close to perfection as can be found.  What is perfection, what does perfection mean? Check out here to find out.

I love that Emmersyn not only has my arms wrapped around her but that she has the whole of ARLP looking out for her best. That’s what I want for a dog who is so easy to love, an angel dog as she once was called, a dog that truly deserves so much more.

And when she does find perfection she’ll break my heart in both sadness and happiness as can only be done when one loves a foster dog the way that I love Emmersyn.

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Here’s a tribute to some of our favorite folks,
We’re counting our blessings and your name’s been evoked.
We’re taking a pause,
For a round of applause,
To give all your egos a stroke.

Our dear animal control: BAC, SPAC, and MACC,
It means so much that you’ve got our back!
Few could endure your thankless trials,
Your payment comes in pit bull smiles.

(Luna, adopted January 2010, former MACC resident)

And let’s give a hand to our beloved dog docs,
Camden and Blackberry, you guys simply ROCK!
From their heads to their knees,
(And those pesky allergies),
You carefully tend to our fine furry flock.

(Albert, adopted in April 2010 after successfully being treated for Parvo)

To the artists that make our dogs look our best,
You are deserving of an ARLP love fest!
Thanks to Sarah, Tara, Bill, and more,
Your talents make our dogs even easier to adore.

(Cedric helping out with an ARLP dog safety class, Photo by Tara Engle Photography)

To the Humane Society in the Valley so Golden,
For your low-cost spays and neuters we’re completely beholden!

(Bailee, currently available for adoption. Photo by Laura M.)

Last but not least, a shout out to PetSmart.
Adoption days, donations!  You’ve got so much heart.

(Maggie Moon hanging out at a recent PetSmart/ARLP adoption day. Photo by Paige.)

They say it takes a village for a child to be raised,
But it takes just as many to give hope to our strays.
An end to their strife,
A much better life,
We hope you’ll accept our sincerest of praise.

(Dante, soon to be available for adoption. Photo by Paige).

And just in case our poetry doesn’t suffice, here’s a few words of gratitude that we think you’ll find nice.

(Testimonials from ARLP volunteers, fosters, and adopters):

“I went to SPAC once to help out with Bishop, whom the staff there clearly loved. I can’t imagine the tough job the people there have, caring for dogs who they will likely also help send to the rainbow bridge. What a tough, thankless job, and I am so glad they do what they do.”

“I cannot say enough about Dr. Rahimi and all her staff at Blackberry. They’ve been great with all my fosters. I know several folks here on the forum continue to use Blackberry as their vet for their pets after adoption, which is yet another testament to how wonderful the group has been to us as a rescue, and to us as clients.”

“Petsmart welcomes us with open arms and lots of treats, every time we’re there. If only the staff could adopt every foster they skritch and hug…we wouldn’t have any dogs left in the program!”

“Plymouth PetSmart has always been very good to us. Their employees have told me many times they love when our group visits. They go out of their way to offer us various food donations etc. On one trip they asked if we wanted some food to which we replied yes and the next they had had a forklift bringing up a pallet of food that filled the back of Amy’s truck.”

Over a year ago, Camden Pet Hospital took in Yuma, who would have been put down in some other places because they do not have the capacity to deal with the mange he had. They also took care of his cut foot and happy tail. They gave him a chance that he might not have gotten otherwise and we are eternally grateful!”

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Haley enjoying her ice cream cake!

07-08-09 sounds like a young child practicing its counting, instead of a date. It’s an important date in the pit bull rescue community. July 8th of 2009 marked the date of a multi-state raid that netted over 500 dogs and 26 arrests–the largest dog fighting ring bust, in US history.

There are lots of news stories of heroism where those officials taking part in the raid recognized many of the dogs welcomed their saviors, shoving aside the insulting living conditions, abhorrent human behavior they’d previously experienced, and showed their pittie roots by grinning their greetings and wagging their tails. There are plenty of horrific pictures showing the results of abuse, neglect, starvation, and fights. On this anniversary, I would like to celebrate the dogs and the heroes who liberated the dogs, by showing where the ARLP Fight Bust dogs are today.

On July 8, 2010 we celebrated with Josie, Maverick, and Haley. The celebration was coordinated by Rachel Anderson, current President of A Rotta Love Plus.

Josie was adopted by Sara and Andrew on February 14, 2010. She’s already passed the Canine Good Citizen test, and is working towards becoming a therapy dog. When not showing off her shape-shifting-melt-into-you skills, Josie enjoys her 4 legged brother, her large yard with its new fence, and lots of quality time basking in the sun.

Haley (pictured at the top) remains in foster care with Amy and Larry. She had surgery to repair a luxated Patella on Feb. 5, 2010. With lots of care and support, she spent the next several months recovering, while learning how to be a young dog in a safe environment. Fully recovered now, Haley has lost much of her camera shyness, and eagerly awaits her forever home.

Maverick remains in “foster care” with Mike and his family and two other dogs including Catherine, an ARLP alum. Maverick has had some health issues as well, though he looks great now, and it is rumored he has a Forever Home!! There is much hope that his adoption will become final very soon.

We had a really great evening eating some great food from the grill, watching the guest stars open their anniversary presents, and laughing at the way they devoured their cake. All of this fun, as well as the good will spread by these charming dogs, was made possible by the brave law enforcement and legal community involved in the 07-08-09 Fight Bust. Thank you to the officials who have continued building the new view of fight dogs as victims, not simply evidence awaiting destruction at the end of a court case. Thank you to all the volunteer and support staff, and everyone else who had a hand in caring for, transporting, communicating (blogging, tweeting, calling, emailing), and otherwise helping the dogs, and their cause.

Happy Freedom Day, to Josie, Haley, Maverick, and all the other 07-08-09 Fight Bust Dogs.

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Maggie Moon

Moon moon maggie moon
A family is out there just
Waiting to love you

Well my foster momma says that I have gotten her feeling all poetic so she broke out a haiku in my honor. Not so sure what a haiku is but she tells me it isn’t something I can eat so I am not too interested. On the other hand she keeps telling me I am one smart cookie – and I love cookies.

It’s been a while since I last blogged – hmm that sounds a lot like dog – dog, blog, fog, hog, …opps where was I – hee hee foster momma says I am easily distracted! Anyway life has been pretty fantastic lately. Ever since the lovely ladies pulled me off the mean streets I have been livin’ the good life with my foster momma and the rest of the gang at that Black Dog Lodge. I have figured out my place in the pack, take lots of walks, wrestle and play with my foster sister, get yummy meals and even yummier treats and I even have this super, fun guy called my training buddy who brings me to a really fun place where I get to practice all of the tricks I am learning. So things are looking up for me.

A few things you should know about me. I learn things really fast and that I love to please my people. I still get really excited around new folks but I am working hard on my manners and to try not to whip them with my tail. It is just so hard – I love meeting new people so much that I can’t seem to stop wiggling my cute little polka-dotted butt. Oh I also get excited around new dogs too – but with slow introductions I do just fine. Also I met my first cat and a couple of gerbils recently and it was fantastic – all of us got along just great.

I am a happy-to- know you kind of dog who loves to smile all of the time. I have most of the basics down -house and crate training, sit, down and come. I love to play- fetch, tug, chase – I love it all. With my build and my athletic ability I would love to try my hand at some doggie sports – disc or agility would be sooo fun. Mom says I’m like living with Tigger sometimes – boing, boing, boing – I love to bounce and pounce. If sports aren’t your thing that’s cool, I would also dig being someones running partner or even take long walks in the park, I’m pretty flexible…..oh and did I say dig – yup I should let you know – I love the dirt!

Anyway don’t get me wrong here – while it is great at my foster home – I really would love to meet my forever family. I am still a puppy and these are some pretty fun times. I would like to share them with those ”special someones” my foster mom promises are out there looking for me. I don’t know where they are looking – cause I am right here! Hurry up already and come get me – I have a lot of love to share. Anyway she says it is only a matter of time before I melt someones heart. One flash of my pearly whites (and boy oh boy do I love to smile these days) and a glance from my “love me please” eyes make me almost impossible to resist. So I will say it again – hurry up already and come find me! I am hard to miss – I am the beautiful, goofy girl with the huge heart waiting for you .

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Dear Love of My Life,

Where are you? It’s been four years, and I’m still waiting.

Don’t get me wrong, I like my foster family an awful lot. I have doggie brothers and sisters, kitties to play with, and even birds! Birds are weird. And my Foster Dad plays tug-o-war with me until his arms are ready to fall off. He lets me up on the furniture, too, even though Foster Mom says it’s bad. Foster Mom is nice, too. She taught me “clicker training.” Clicker training is where there’s a click, and then I get a treat! Well, I have to do something to get a click, but the click and the treat are the important part. My favorite is cheese. I know lots of ways to get clicked: I can “sit” and “down” and “shake” and “ask nice” and “roll over” and “not-walk-like-a-lunatic.” I even let Foster Mom trim my toe nails so long as there are clicks involved.

So it’s not all bad here. But I can’t wait to come live with you, Love of My Life. I hope we can go for lots of walks. And car rides. I love car rides, ‘specially when I get to meet new people and dogs. Sometimes, I get so excited to meet other dogs that I make a gosh-darn fool of myself, but I promise I’ll try to be good if you’ll help me. Foster Mom says I have courage for brains, and it must be true because if you’re looking for someone to run into burning buildings and rescue small children, I’m your girl. I’d like to have a job to do, like maybe those drug dogs on TV, or even rally or tracking like the other dogs here. (I wonder – do you have dogs already? I’d love to have a real brother or sister.) I might even eat a burglar for you . . . well, probably not because you never know who might have cheese. But I’ll try to look really intimidating until the burglar offers me belly scratches, okay? I also like to swim and to jog and to lay in the sun and do nothing at all. Please can you come get me so we can do everything and nothing together?

Faithfully Yours,

Bailee

Photo by Tara Engle Photography

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Like Winston, Pearla is looking for her forever home. She’s a little older than Winnie, getting closer to four than three–I can’t believe she’s been in my home for four months already! It’s sure been an active time–getting her all spit-shined with proper manners and basic obedience–but four months? Really?

Let’s see, what have we done:

Potty Trained   √
Basic Obedience   √
Canine Good Citizen Class   √
Passed the Canine Good Citizen test   √
Passed the Therapy Dog test √
Represented ARLP at the Deviant Art Show   √
Suffered through many photo shoots while I learn how to use a camera   √
Attended various Adoption Days   √
Attending Trick Training – coming soon!!

Soon Pearla will be participating in the ARLP Education programs, helping kids of all ages learn about dog safety, compassion, and fun doggy facts. I can’t wait to get started! Unless, of course, her forever home finds her first. Pearla is so people oriented, she has a hard time deciding who to lick first, when presented with multiple options. And in her enthusiasm, the pit bull nature comes through loud and clear – her favorite thing in the whole world is to be with her people. She is a world class snuggler, but I think her most endearing habit is to rest her head in your hand. When calm, she will sink her head into your hand and stay there as long as you allow. Even while being bathed in the bathtub, if you present your hand as a chin rest she’ll take the proffered support.

Weighing in at 49lbs, Pearla is a stout little lady. Due to her build, high impact athletics, like agility or fly ball aren’t really her thing. HOWEVER! Pearla is a FANTASTIC candidate for rally, as she has such great focus on her trainer. Dogs of all breeds, mixed breeds, and backgrounds can participate in rally; are you interested in learning what it’s all about with Pearla? Do you want to see her awesome patty cake as she awaits her next move (or her next treat)?

A quiet dog, Pearla had been in my home for two months before I heard her bark for the first time. With her high prey drive, she may be best as a single dog, but she’s done well with my male, and the hospital where she spent months regaining her health tells me she did well interacting with other dogs when she was on the clinic’s roster. Just like we teach in our Education classes, we evaluate each dog on their own merit, and Pearla’s forever family will be evaluated with the same careful assessment.

All our program dogs are special–that’s why they were accepted by ARLP. And surely each of the foster homes believes their foster dog is the best, most special companion. So I say with a slanted view, that Pearla is a fantastic little pittie with enormous potential. She has all the right ingredients to develop into a wonderful member of a very lucky family, while also representing how forgiving this breed can be, of the terrible insults thrust upon them by bad humans.

So where are you, Pearla’s Forever Family? She is missing you.

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Post written by ARLP Alum Albert & Volunteer Laural

Winston

Winston Needs a Home!!

Hi all………….Albert here! You may or not know this, but I am adopted. My sister is adopted too! Now we need to find a home for Winston, he needs to be adopted too. Winston spent the weekend at my house while his foster dad was on vacation and he is my new BFF! This is one cool dude, just like me, if I must say. I think that I am going to make it my personal mission to find him a forever home.

Gesh this dog can run fast. I tried really hard to keep up, but there is no way. But he wrestles really good and sometimes he lets me win! He is really funny because he doesn’t understand “Albert talk” as my mom puts it. He kinda backs away and looks at me funny, but then he starts playing again so he must understand some! Oh ya, we were wrestling the other day and he play bowed to me and I jumped at him at the same time he stood up and my butt ended up on his back with my back legs over him. My mom laughed really hard, it must have been funny. He likes the flowers in my backyard too – he smells them just like I do! Must be a cool dude thing, right?

Last night my mom was sitting on the floor and I was tired, so I snuggled in her lap for a nap. That Winston came right up to us, schmooshed me out of her lap and sat down. Being the cool dude that I am, I really didn’t care much, I just snuggled in next to her. See, he loves to snuggle too, must be a cool dude thing, right?

Oh ya, he let me share a water bowl with him too! Just imagine two adorable pitties drinking out of the same bowl at the same time. Just because we are cool dudes, doesn’t mean that we can’t be cute too, right?

Now, my point is someone out there adopt him. I guarantee that he gives excellent snuggles and kisses (just ask my mom!)…….hey, just like me! Must be a cool dude thing, right?

I have to go nap now.

Albert

Okay, now that I am able to get Albert away from the computer, it is my turn to give you the low down on this adorable, huggable, handsome, sweet, loving guy. I am in L.O.V.E. He has excellent house manners and he does give excellent kisses and loves hugs! He walks well on a leash, he waits for his food, he waits at the door to go out and has the very good doggy manners that every good doggie should have! He also has decent recall. He does loves people and kids, but can feel overwhelmed at times, he shakes which is a sure sign he needs some “alone time”. He just needs to be removed from the situation and he is just fine. He is good with cats, my big fat cat just laid around (he has thrown in the towel and doesn’t even run when a new dog comes into the home any more, different story, different day, we need to get Winston adopted here!) where ever big fat cats lay and Winston would just go past him or sniff him and all was good.

And handsome, this is one handsome pup. All you have to do is look into those deep dark brown eyes and you too will be in love with this boy. It is hard to tell where his eyes begin and his color begins, his eyes and coat are the same color, really dark brown…..ahhhhh……it’s love for sure.

So – the bottom line is – ADOPT WINSTON!!! You are on our website, so all you have to do is fill out an adoption application and submitt it. It’s pretty easy breezy! As Albert said – he is one cool dude – and anyone who adopts this guy is one lucky dude (or dudette)!!

Laural – Albert’s mom

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The mission of A Rotta Love Plus is threefold: Rescue & Rehome, Educate and Advocate.  Much of the public’s attention is focused on the first aspect of ARLP and many are unaware of its thriving and active education program.

To illuminate some of ARLP’s specific education and therapy activities, we will begin to feature them in a series of blog posts.  If you are part of a Twin Cities’ community organization or school that has interest in any of the activities highlighted on our blog or website, please contact our Education Director, Kellie Dillner (education@arottalove.org.)

A Comparative Anatomy teacher at Edina High School recently contacted ARLP to request that we give a presentation on animal rescue, and Tiffany Huebner (who founded A Rotta Love in 1997 before going on to start the highly successful training school Dogue Style & Dogue Spot) gladly stepped in to teach four high school classes with the help of her dogs Mabel (French Bulldog), Kilo (Rottweiler), and Sally (pit bull and former bust dog).

Tiffany presented to the students a history of her life in animal rescue and training, general tips about dog behavior, and facts about the Rottweiler and pit bull breeds.  Along the way, Tiffany also set the record straight on a few myths that many hold about Rottweilers, pit bulls, and dogs in general:

Pit bulls and Rottweilers were bred to be guard dogs. On the contrary, pit bulls were originally bred to hunt wild boars, and Rottweilers were bred to be herding dogs.  Pit bulls and Rottweilers “make the worst guard dogs ever” due to their affectionate manner toward humans, she told the students.  Tiffany reminded the class that these breeds are happiest when given a “job” to do and are not meant to lead low-activity lives.  She encouraged the students to get their dogs — regardless of the breed — involved in obedience, agility, and other classes to engage the dogs both physically and mentally.

Don’t play tug of war with your dog; it will encourage its prey drive. Not true, Tiffany told the class; in fact, tug of war is a great game to play with your dog.  Not only does it encourage them to pay attention to you by facing your direction while playing (as opposed to running away from you, as in fetch), but it teaches them how to use their mouths correctly so that their teeth can learn the all-important distinction between toys and hands.

You should never discipline your dog. Tiffany asserted that instead, a combination of consistent praise and fair correction are needed for a balanced, well-behaved dog.  As she states on the Dogue Spot website, “Leaders are fun, fair, provide direction and with that direction comes reinforcement and correction.  Bad behaviors are corrected and good behaviors are rewarded.  Just like we have rules, dogs must have rules too.”

Tiffany’s engaging speaking style (along with her dogs’ playful antics) captivated the students’ attention, who left their classroom that day armed with the knowledge of how to be a strong and fair leader to their dogs, and with a new image of the breeds served by ARLP.

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Blog post written by ARLP volunteer Laura M.

When I was in second grade, my parents decided I could get a pet of my very own. I don’t know who chose a parakeet, but once we settled on a species, there was still a lot of work to be done. We bought books, researched on the internet, and spoke to breeders and owners. We carefully picked out an enormous cage, proper food and perches and a well-recommended vet, all before picking up my new buddy. Of course, once Fred came home with us, there was still more work to be done. I spent hours taming and training him with my parents’ encouragement. His meager vet bills came out of my meager allowance. As a result, there were few surprises for us as new parakeet owners, and Fred turned into a lovely, sweet companion. Unfortunately, not every child has parents who go to such depths to ensure responsible pet ownership in their children. These children eventually grow up, sometimes they become pet owners, sometimes they become law makers, and always they are at least exposed to other people’s pets. How they react to the animals around them depends largely on the experiences they’ve had. To put it in cliché terms, people fear what they do not understand. It’s a mantra responsible pit bull and rottweiler owners have a personal stake in.

A large part of what A Rotta Love Plus does is education. Knowing first hand the value of such an education – and what happens when it isn’t there – I became a volunteer for ARLP’s education program. “What is this?” you ask (right after gosh, woman, don’t you ever sleep?). The majority of ARLP’s educational programs revolve around dog bite awareness and prevention. The CDC estimates that there are about 4.7 million dog bites per year. About half of the victims of dog bites are children, usually between the ages of five to nine years old. ARLP believes that the best way to prevent dog bites is through education, and in the spirit of learning, we have developed a program to teach children the “dos and don’ts of dog safety.” Included in the program is what to do if approached by a stray dog, how to greet a dog, and a little on proper dog care. As a bonus, the kids get to try out their new skills and knowledge on real live dogs! ARLP volunteers bring along their Canine Good Citizen certified dogs so that children can see these “dangerous breeds” up close and personal – and hopefully, they can come to love them as we do.

ARLP brings the dogs to a variety of locations for the dog bite prevention program. Usually we go into schools, but we’ll go anywhere we’re welcome. One of my most memorable events was at the Cottage Grove Safety Camp last year. Aimee, Jerry, and I (and Piper Ann and Missy) spent all morning teaching eight to eleven year old’s the basics of dog safety. The camp location about two miles from my house and on the route I normally take for our daily walks. While walked the dogs the day after we presented, I was ambushed by a pack of about forty school-aged children! I’ll tell you what, though – every single one of the kids remembered to ask if they could pet the dogs, where to pet them, and what Piper Ann’s name was. It was incredible to have first-hand evidence of the impact we were making on the future.

One of the aspects I love about the program is it’s versatility. When a group requests certain information, we try our hardest to deliver. This spring, ARLP will be finishing up a year-long program with Barack and Michelle Obama Service Learning Elementary School, where we’ve cover topics from bite prevention to training to dog fighting to empathy and compassion. Over the winter, Lara, Rachel, and I (and Jana and Maus) spoke to the leadership at Chuck and Don’s, a local pet supply store chain, on dog behavior and body language. And lets not forget the informational booth that ARLP sets up at events like the Pet Expo, Minnesota Renaissance Festival, and Gay Pride Festival.

Now, I love showing off my dogs, and I’m convinced of the importance of ARLP’s education program, but I’m not a big fan of teaching. I just don’t like being in front of all those people. But a few months ago, I was asked to teach the program to a group of developmentally disabled adults, and since I have a special place in my heart for people with these issues, I agreed. It was my single, most memorable, and favorite program to date. The group’s buoyant enthusiasm and cheer was delightful, and we – teachers, handlers, students and dogs alike – were having a grand ol’ time. I was wrapping things up, asking the group questions about what they had learned that night.

“What should you do if a strange dog comes up to you?” I asked.

A young woman in the front row raised her hand and waved violently. “I know, I know!”

I called on her.

“You scream and run away -” She stopped and her eyes got big as she thought about what she was saying. The room fell silent.

“You stand still like a TREEEE!!!!!!” She screamed in triumph, and the whole group, all thirty of us, broking into cheers, clapping wildly. Her grin was so bright it could have blinded jet pilots.

There’s a saying that you never really learn something until you’ve taught it, and I’m afraid I’ve learned more in the ARLP education program than I have taught. Some of my new knowledge is practical. For example, I now know to always bring a drool rag and carpet cleaner when I take Piper Ann to events. I also know to watch pit bulls very carefully at the Science Museum because fossilized dinosaur bones look an awfully lot like the Best Dog Treat Ever, and they’re really hard to sneak out the door with. I know that people can’t be blamed for ignorance if there is no one willing to teach them. And I know that the moment of understanding, when the light of understanding comes into a person’s eyes and their eyes have been opened to a new idea  – there is nothing quite as wonderful as that. It is the moment when all things are changed, and the future is made better for dogs and the people who love them.

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We love our dogs. I mean we LOVE our dogs.

ARLP makes a commitment to each and every one of them the moment we take them into our program. It is just what we do.

It is never our intention to hurt or anger people when we turn down their application for adoption. But inevitably it happens. You find yourself feeling like a politician, “How can I spin this to be a win win?”. Sometimes everything looks great on paper and in email but when the initial meeting takes place you get this nagging sensation in your belly. You look at the foster parent and ask with your eyes, “Are you feeling what I am feeling?”.

When you have done rescue long enough you just start to “know” things. Because cycles, in their infinite journey to stay on track and continually complete themselves, repeat themselves over and over and over again. So you see the potential for this or for that because you have seen it before.

So you suss out each potential adopter. Do they SEE the dog? I mean really SEE the dog. Sometimes excitement clouds reality. We get it. Totally.

Is this particular pit bull (or Rottie) the best fit for their household? If not but we like the applicant we will suggest another dog in our program.

If the potential adopter currently has a dog we look at that dog. A resident dog is a pretty good indication of what kind of canine human dynamic is at play. We look at their house, their yard, and meet their family. We stalk them on the internet. We are dedicated, and yes probably a little crazy.

Bully or Rottweiler experience is not a must but a willingness to learn and do your part for the breed is. See, ARLP is more than a rescue, we want to change the reality that is currently at large with regard to pit bulls (and the Rotties) not just place dogs. We don’t move ‘em in to move ‘em out, if you know what I mean.

We know that all hearts are in the right place. The trouble is that ever since some light was shed upon the abuses these dogs have faced and the press has gotten their hands on them, pit bulls and their glorious little faces have been thrust “out there”. That is great, DO NOT GET ME WRONG. We need more advocates for this breed! We need the public’s perception of them to change. We need them to be given a chance to prove the BS wrong.

BUT, (yes but), feeling sorry for the breed is not a good enough reason to bring one into your home. Anytime an individual is thinking about bringing a dog into their life they should do their research and find the breed that suits not only their personality but their lifestyle. Pit bulls are not for everyone. Of course neither are Rottweilers, Cocker Spaniels or Border Collies.

To be a great bully owner (or owner of any dog for that matter) you need to train your dog OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME. I can’t stress enough that a dog whose training has occurred only in the home environment will not automatically transfer that behavior outside of the home. Imagine being stuck in your home zone basically 247 and then, suddenly, you are at Pet’ smart or the park. Can you say PARTY people? And some, from what I have seen, party hard.

We get push back from people looking to adopt from us on our training requirement. So we listened. Hmmm, we wondered, how can we make this easier, how can we make it more attractive? So we developed a training program we could offer free to our adopters for the life of their dog. A fantastic deal! We also bend over backwards to support our adopters post adoption. We want to set everyone up for success. If a placement does not work out we want our dog back. As I said we have made a commitment to that dog and that does not end when they have been adopted.

You foster for ARLP you get the same commitment to training and support an adopter does. We want your foster to be the best and most adoptable dog that they can be.

Ok, so our application is a little long. Well – so is the duration of this commitment you are about to make. The time you will need to invest in this new sentient being you are bringing into your home. The process is cumbersome? Well, perhaps it is but imagine the time and energy we as volunteers, each having our own full time jobs and personal dogs, spend adhering to our processes for each dog that moves through our rescue. If we are willing to make the investment we do into your potential dog shouldn’t you?

We have an entire breed’s well being at stake and we take that a little seriously.

So if we seem to put people through their paces we want them to understand. We are every bit as excited about the possibility of placing one of our dogs into their “always to be” home, we just made a very big promise the day we led a certain someone out of animal control. It’s a promise we just can’t bear to break.

No, we never mean to hurt feelings or make people angry but it happens and frankly it sucks. Yet at the end of the day when we look into our dogs’ faces the stress of turning people away dissolves. After all they are the reason we are even here in the first place and we do know what is best for them even if it means waiting just a little bit longer for not just a home but the best home.

Copper (pictured above with the lovely Rachel) loves to cuddle in his down time. Copper is available for adoption.

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