MPR Garage Sale
Sunday, May 20, 2012

May 6-12, 2012 - Be Kind to Animals Week begins. Join the event that's been celebrated every year since 1915 -- American Humane's Be Kind to Animals Week. In this annual tradition, we commemorate the role animals play in our lives, promote ways to continue to treat them humanely, and encourage others, especially children, to do the same. Sponsored by the American Humane Association

May 13, 2012 - Happy Mother's Day!

May 20-26, 2012 - National Dog Bite Prevention Week - National Dog Bite Prevention Week is a public service campaign that offers safety tips and emphasizes the need for increased pet owner responsibility in the prevention of dog bites. Sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Northland Pet Pantry - The mission of the Northland Pet Pantry is to provide short-term help in the form of free food and basic supplies for the companion pets of people who are struggling financially.

Reminder from the National Canine Research Council - The excellent book The Pit Bull Placebo: The Media, Myths and Politics of Canine Aggression is available for free download at the National Canine Research Council website. Find it here.

Breed Discriminatory Fiscal Impact Calculator - Tool for municipalities in understanding the real cost of enforcing bans and restrictions on dogs because of their looks. The study that led to the calculator pointed out that dogs often identified as pit bulls may be, in fact, another breed entirely, which raises the question on how to properly identify animals that under the law might be banned.

Dog Training and the Myth of Alpha-Male Dominance - Victoria was profiled in a recent TIME Magazine article entitled "Dog Training and the Myth of Alpha-Male Dominance." In the article, Victoria helps highlight the differences between traditional dominance-based methods and her brand of positive reinforcement philosophies.

EXPECTING???? - Dogs Need To Be Prepared For Baby, Too - Shawnee Mission Medical Center Offers 'Dog & Storks' Class. Families preparing for a new baby may also want to consider preparing the family pet for the new addition, too. Dogs and Storks class is $29. For more information please see, Shawnee Mission Medical Center Classes

Clarabelle is a special girl ... an absolute treasure :-) Clarabelle is housebroken and crate trained. She has wonderful house manners and does very well when left in the house by herself when her foster mom is not home. She doesn't bark for nothing and has a very responsive, somewhat submissive nature.

She's a cuddle-bug by excellence. Please do not apply if you are looking for an independent dog. Clara is needy, and if you're on the couch, she's on your lap! Her small size makes it hard to resist too. Also, Clara is definitely not a guard dog and not very protective. Anyone she meets is a long lost friend. Clara loves to go on car rides and is very well behaved, although she wants to cuddle in the car too.

There are so many great things about this sweetheart. She's definitely one of the best MPR dogs right now. Her super loving personality absolutely stands out ... Her irresistible little face, small size and adorable "cow like" coat pattern. And of course, her great house manners and responsive nature. She's just amazing inside and out and MPR couldn't be any happier to have picked such great ambassador of the breed. Clarabelle is going to make a new family very very lucky to have her. Don't wait another day ... APPLY today!

This month, MPR wants to thank all the mothers who support their children in helping Pit Bulls dogs. Though Sue Barati is not officially an MPR volunteer, she is the mother of our dear Sara B who's been with MPR with several years now.

Sue accompanies her daughter to the shelter on a regular basis and helps her take care of the dogs. Sue has been enjoying MPR for many years now and often doggy sits her "granddaughter" Tashi. She has become an avid supporter and advocate of the breed.

Nothing makes us happier than to know our parents understand our mission to help Pit Bull dogs. In this Mother Day's month, MPR wants to recognize all the loving mothers like Sue, who are always ready to help a Pit Bull in need and give her family support and encouragement.

Thank you Ms. Barati :-)

Winston, now named Nelson, is doing FABULOUS. He has truly fit in with his 2 sisters; Lyla (5 yr old female Pit Bull) and Roxy (4 yr old English Pointer). Since coming to us, he has gained a much needed 25 lbs and looks incredi-bull! Now weighing 75 lbs, his coloring and size, we have compliments on him every where we go. People comment on how gorgeous he is. It's not uncommon for people to stop along the street during a walk to comment on him. My wife always says, if she wasn't married, Nelson sure would help her get a guy's attention!

One thing is for sure...if you say the words "Bye Bye"...be ready for the aftermath!! Nelson is running for door, just waiting for his turn to go through the doorway. He absolutley loves car rides. His preferred pose...back legs in the back seat, standing on his front legs, head laying on the center console....and yes, sound asleep, snoring at times! When sitting at stop lights, he's up in the seat looking out the window. We actually have him grunting at times, with a slight whimper, when people sitting next to us at stop lights are waving to him or talking to him, not to mention the tail just a wagging!

The big lug is such a ham and "momma's boy". His evening time is usually spent laying with his momma in the recliner while she watches TV. Now, if Animal Planet, Dog Whisperer, or Pit Boss is showing on the TV....he's all eyes and taking in every episode. We feel like we have to regulate his "TV time" just like we do our son!

He also likes our trips to Pet Smart. We no more than get inside the doors and he's heading straight for the checkout line. Why? Well, of course, that's where the treats are kept! Most of the employees know us and Nelson by name. It's not uncommon for us to be sought out in the store, just so Nelson can get his loving. Then when it's time to check out, it's double dipping time....treats all over again.

Nelson and his sisters are quite the trio, then you have the head honcho...our cat. At 10lbs, no claws, and 14 years old, she is truly the ruler of all. Nelson wants to be friends with her so bad and doesn't understand why he gets a slap when he attempts to clean some ears or sometimes just getting close. He dips his head and looks as if you just took his favorite toy away. Oh how he wants to be her best friend. If she would just show some attention to him, maybe his grunts and whimpers would stop!

All in all, Nelson is quite the dog and makes us laugh everyday. He is such a dear member of our family, not to mention neighbors and friends. Everybody loves him. We are proud to say we are Pit Bull parents and always will be. The more positive awareness we can raise, we will strive to do so! We've "converted" many mindsets to this point and will continue to do so.

Thank you MPR and helping us find our Nelson boy! We absolutely LOVE HIM!!

Kurt, Trena and Tanner Morrison Kansas City, MO

Nutella is loving her new home with us and is getting along great with her new “older brother”, Baron. (Baron is another Pit Bull we adopted from MPR back in August 2010.) With all the warm weather, both dogs have been enjoying frequent walks around the neighborhood and by the lake. Of course, nothing beats long car rides with the windows down!

Nutella is by far the most playful dog I’ve owned. When I get tired and stop playing with her, she will trot in circles around the coffee table with her Nylabone and then chuck it as far as she can. Then she chases after it like I was the one who threw it! She’s so funny and every experience is so exciting for her.

We have been working on basic training with Nutella. She is a very smart dog. Right now, she has mastered sit, drop it, stay, crate, come, shake, and lay down. Our main goals right now are working on her walking as well as teaching her what she may and may not chew on in the house. Having Baron around has made training her a lot easier. It’s very obvious that she is learning from him!

We are so happy to have been able to adopt Nutella. She has turned out to be a very sweet girl. Even during those moments when I catch her darting down the hall with entire toilet paper roll in her mouth and the stand dragging behind her, all those sweet puppy kisses completely make up for it :)

~Meagan