Missouri Pit Bull Rescue is looking forward to the new year. As we reflect on the past year and the dogs we have spent it with, there is a lot to be said about what we can learn from the pit bulls around us. When volunteers were asked what happiness resolutions they could learn from their dogs and MPR's dogs, this is what they had to say.

• "Greet everyone with a smile" - Sarah
• "Have patience" Having 5 dogs separated and always waiting their turn then being so grateful and loving when it is finally their turn - Jesse
• "Show love" There is no love, like the love you receive from your pittie - Ashly
• "Feel compassion. Always be ready to give a hug and wipe away someone's tears" - Vanessa
• "Get excited to see the people that you love" - Pug
• "Make others feel good about themselves" - Pug
• "Never hold a grudge" - Leslie

A big quality of forgiveness is what pit bulls constantly show humans. We could all benefit from making a resolution this year to forgive someone. MPR pulls dogs off chains, out of shelters and off the street where the humans that were around them before didn't care properly for them or may have abused them in some way. Yet our dogs look to us with anticipation each day, so happy to see us they are bursting with joy. They don't distrust humans even though they have every right to.

This past year we have gotten to know some amazing dogs that have done nothing but offered humans ultimate forgiveness. Bullet was shot in the face, Jackpot had infections and cuts all over, Conquest was left freezing in the snow to wither away and Cadbury was starving to death. Yet those dogs and many others choose to forgive us for the pain and move on to the joy and love that awaits. Each dog has a story, forgiveness is always a part of that.

So this year, think of someone you can forgive and dedicate that forgiveness to a pit bull you know. If we can be half the person our dogs think we are, we are doing pretty awesome.

Happy New Year from Missouri Pit Bull Rescue!

MPR Volunteer-Stephanie Pugh

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

A valuable book called Pet Meets Baby is available in a free download from American Humane Association www.americanhumane.org/petmeetsbaby to help families safely introduce a new baby or new child to a beloved pet, and a new pet to their children. Too often, young families relinquish a pet when the first baby comes, fearing harm to an infant. But there are ways to prepare the pet for a safe introduction to children, and a gentle transition in a family's attention when a new child takes center stage. Read more

We're so very pleased this month to recognize the hard work and dedication of our wonderful volunteer, Nicole Bellizzi.

I started volunteering with MPR during a low period of my life. I needed to do something to make myself happy. I have always been an animal lover, especially a dog lover. I really wanted to donate my time volunteering with a pit bull rescue group because they are such a misunderstood breed. My friend, Julie, volunteers with a pit bull rescue group in the St. Louis area so I asked her if she knew of any reputable groups in the Kansas City area, and she referred me to MPR.

When I first started volunteering with MPR, I never expected to get so involved. I started out by doing a shelter shift one evening a week at the mini shelter. Little by little, I started taking on more responsibility. Currently, I still do my shelter shift, but I also check vet references of potential adopters, go on home visits, attend adoption events, and most recently I have been assigned to coordinate all paperwork.

When I'm not volunteering, I work as a real estate agent for Keller Williams Realty in Olathe, KS. I would be happy to help anyone buy a home in an area without Breed Specific Legislation! I also spend time with my own dog, Barkley, who is a rescue, and I love trying new restaurants with my friends.

I am so happy to be a part of MPR. I love everything about what we stand for. People always ask me, "why a pit bull rescue?". I always say, "Why not?". Even though many of our dogs have had a rough past, they are the most loving and affectionate dogs. It always amazes me what some of them have endured. They just make me happy, and I always look forward to seeing them. I like to think that they rescued me in a way.

Nicole, your caring, hard work and commitment are such an asset to MPR and the dogs. We are so very fortunate and thankful to have you on board. Thank you! ~ MPR Volunteers

   Happy Updates are the fuel that keeps rescuers going....

I love my animals, and I have had a lot of animals in my life. But there is something special about a rescue dog. Just the way he looks at me, like he just can't say thank you enough and that he just loves me to some other degree. Baylor has changed my life, and I do not think that I will ever get another dog that is not a rescue. And I am pretty sure that I am stuck with pitbulls from this point forward too!!! He has the absolute biggest heart and is the most perfect dog!!!

Thank you all so much for my little bully, he is my heart... River Warth

The first time I had heard about Nestle was in July of 2011 when my daughter said she was going to Arkansas to pick up a rescue dog. I thought she was crazy to drive that far to pick up a dog. I thought there had to be other rescues that were closer who could take this dog in. Then my daughter then explained Nestle's story to me. She told me of how Nestle was thrown from a moving car going down I-70 and MPR took him in, and how he was adopted and now he was being returned. She stopped by our house on her way back from Arkansas. My wife and I met Nestle and thought he was a really sweet dog and very well behaved. My daughter tried to convince us to foster Nestle at that time and I said "No". I know my daughter has 2 pit bulls of her own and they are great dogs but I was not ready to own a pit bull myself. I was still unsure of the breed and the bad rap these dogs have. Nestle went back to the MPR mini shelter. My daughter would take Nestle to adoption events and to home checks and he just never seemed to find the right home. I would ask about Nestle from time to time and always got the same answer that he was still at the shelter. One day my daughter called and talked to me about Nestle and she suggested that my wife and I foster him until he found a home. I think my daughter about dropped the phone when I said "Yes".

When Nestle first came to the house he was a bit unsure of himself and his new surroundings. He had a new sister "Maggie" a border terrier who rules the roost. They were unsure of what to think of each other but slowly have became friends. Maggie didn't like to share her toys so we had to get Nestle his own toys. Just like raising kids. The first few nights that Nestle was at our home we put pillows and blankets in the floor next to the bed. I would wake up to his hot breath on my face and all he needed was reassurance that we were still there. Now we have a ritual. Every night Nestle has to get up in the recliner with me to watch TV, then when it's time to go to bed he gets up on the bed with us, gives us lots of kisses and then goes to his bed in the floor next to ours.

Nestle is great with our grand kids, he loves to play ball and chew on his bones. He also loves to go for car rides. He goes with me everywhere that he can. He is my buddy. He has a fluffy dog bed that we put on the couch so that Nestle has his own "Throne" and Maggie still has her. Nestle has become a wonderful addition to our family and we love him dearly. He had found his forever home when he walked through our door and into our hearts. He never has to worry about being returned again.