Virginia Paws for Pits

So, I'm still new to the whole blogging thing, so I don't know if two posts in one day is against the rules, but I just couldn't help myself.  I thought this one deserved it's own post and I couldn't wait until tomorrow! 

Guess what?  The Shenandoah Valley officially has it's first Pit Bull/Bully Breed Rescue group, called Virginia Paws for Pits!  This is BIG news!

I was pleasantly surprised to run into them today at the Hawgs and Dogs event!  Below are some of the beautiful little babies in search of their furever homes. I didn't get to spend a lot of time with these babies today because I was with Ms. Honey, but I really look forward to volunteering with this organization in the future.  Thank you for bringing a Bully Rescue to the Valley!

Gypsy

Jazmine

Somaya

Tigger

Visit Virginia Paw's for Pits website or their Facebook page to see a full list of adoptable dogs and find out about upcoming events!

Sweet Honey and Harleys

What a fabulous Saturday!  Today I had the pleasure of spending the day volunteering as a dog handler at the Augusta Regional SPCA's adoption event held at Shenandoah Harley Davidson's first annual Hawgs and Dogs event!  There were so many great dog organizations there and the Harley Davidson staff were phenomenal!  I really do hope they will host this event again next year.

We were able to bring 6 dogs from the SPCA to the event, one of which was a sweet little pittie named Honey. 


Honey Bear

Pretty Little Pittie

  Honey is 5 years old and was an owner surrender because her previous owner had too many animals.  I met this little lady a week or so ago when I went on my weekly dog walking expedition at the SPCA, she was immediately friendly, the only dog in the whole kennel not barking, and begging me to take her out to play.  So off we went and I immediately knew I had to take her to this event today.  She was such a love bug!



Don't I make a good lap dog?

Sweet Girl

She clearly loves people and loves to snuggle!  She also met dogs of all shapes and sizes and was equally friendly to them.  At one point a cute little 4 year old (future dog trainer) walked right up to her with a treat, hugged her around the neck and then asked her to sit, and so she sat AND shook her paw!  She had many people very interested in her but none have yet to fill out an application!  This little lady needs a furever home!


Ms. Honey showing off her skills!

The dogs don't often get to play with each other in the shelter but Ms. Honey and Hunter couldn't stay away from each other today!  They got along so well and got to roll around with each other most of the day today. 

Honey and Hunter playing

Here are some other dogs that the SPCA has for adoption that joined us at the event today.  Delilah is a 3 year old Australian Shepard mix, and Hunter is a hound mix. 

Delilah

Hunter

For more information on how to adopt any of these dogs please visit the SPCA's website here!

Oh, and guess what else....my little Russy made a surprise appearance today to come visit all the dogs and so the hubby could check out the Harley's ;).  Of course Russ loved all of them and they loved him, especially Ms. Honey, he was putty in her paw.

Honey and Rusty

Rusty and Hunter

Hawgs and Dogs

This weekend is a busy busy weekend for dog adoption events in the Valley!  I'm very excited to be a dog handler for the Augusta Regional SPCA at the first annual Hawgs and Dogs adoption and pet awareness event at Shenandoah Harley Davidson, this Saturday, April 14th from 10-3pm.  There will be a variety of vendors; Leader of the Pack Obeidience, Love on a Leash Agility, Therapy Dog Program, and a variety of veterinarians and other pet related vendors! I hope everyone can make it out to find some awesome dogs their furever homes!

The Augusta SPCA will also be having an adoption event at Petco in Staunton, on Saturday from 12-3pm & Sunday from 1-3pm.

Augusta Dog Adoptions is hold an adoption event at PetSmart in Waynesboro from 10-3 on Saturday as well!

So many events....so many chances to find furever homes for some lovely pitties and fabulous dogs of many other breeds!

Are you volunteering or taking your pups to any fun events this weekend?

One Word Wednesday

Brothers

Pizza, Beer, Music and Pitties (and lots of other adoptable pups too)!

What a great night!  Tonight Augusta Dog Adoptions, a local dog rescue, held a fund raising event.  They are raising money to cover their ever growing vet bills and hopefully purchase (or have donated) a van to help transport dogs to and from adoption events.  They saved 350 dogs last year and are on track to save that same amount in just 6 months this year!! WOW!! The event was held at Shenandoah Pizza in Staunton, and 10% of all proceeds from 6:30 to 9:30 went to them.  They had two great bands as well, and of course good food and good beer.  They had a great turn out, so let's hope a good amount of money was raised!  Sorry I didn't post the event news earlier....but you can still donate by visiting their website...here.  Know anyone looking to donate a van?
 

A Must Read

Today I received a book in the mail that I've been waiting a week or so for, and I'm so excited about it!  Melissa McDaniel is a photographer who has a series of photo books dedicated to rescue and special needs dogs.  This one in particular is dedicated to Pit Bulls (of course!), called Pit Bulls and Pit Bull type Dogs; 82 Dogs the Media Doesn't Want You to Meet, and it is such a gorgeous book.  If you buy the book from Melissa's site, 10% of proceeds will be donated to animal rescue.

The photographs of the pups are beautifully done, and all of the pups look so happy you can't help but smile.  The intro features background history about the breed, and current discussion topics such as BSL and stereotypes and their truths, myths, as well as a dedication to the dogs she photographed and her mission for completing the project.  She also includes a page of resources, advocacy groups, and eduational websites.  Each page is dedicated to a different little pittie and tells their tale of rescue (dogfighting cases, owner surrenders, stray, some heartbreaking at first, but all with happy endings!), just to further prove how resilient these amazing creatures can be.  Oh....and for a little extra $ you can order a custom cover with a picture of your pittie on the front!

If you read "Our Story" you know that we live in a rural area in VA where there is little awareness for Pit Bulls. The people I meet on a daily basis are one extreme or the other, they either love the little pitties, or they have a preconcieved notion of what a pittie is, and most of the time a fear. This book is a great way to educate people about this breed! The pictures capture your attention and the faces of these gorgeous pups makes you smile and want to read more. Very excited to share it!

The book also features a section dedicated to the Vick Dogs.  For anyone who has not read The Lost Dogs by Jim Gorant....that is another must read.  For everyone who has....Melissa McDaniel does a beautiful job of following up on their happy tale of perseverance and survival. 



Happy Easter!

We planned to go to the Easter Parade today, but time got away from us with all the fun play time in the yard....Happy Easter!

Did you do any fun Easter festivities with your pups?