Scentsy Fundraiser

In this season of giving thanks, I have many things for which to be thankful. But this year, the dogs of Missouri Pit Bull Rescue are at the top of my list.

A year and a half ago, when I decided to volunteer for MPR, I did so for two reasons; because I loved the breed and because, despite my busy life, I was bored. It is hard to explain my boredom. I had a difficult and time consuming job. I had plenty of hobbies. I had a wonderful husband and great friends. Still, I felt restless.

I hoped spending time doing the shelter shifts and adoption events would entertain me and dampen my feelings of unrest. Little did I know that MPR would change my life and make me a happier person.

Yeah yeah...I know what you are thinking: "Ugh...here comes another lecture about how volunteering can make you a better person."

But, please hang in there and give me a chance. I promise this isn't a sugar coated speech regurgitating the merits of helping others (although, as it turns out, there really is some merit there). This is simply a story of 6 dogs working together to give someone a new perspective and a happiness makeover.

My first shelter shift began my journey down a long, exciting, and occasionally painful road to discovering the true meaning of happiness and content.

I will credit the majority of my transformation to my foster dogs. It all started with Layla, a senior dog that had been abandoned several times and was again finding herself without a home. I had to lie to my husband to get her into our home. And even though today he may jokingly refer to the day we decided to adopt her as "the beginning of the end," even he will tell you that she was totally and completely worth it. Layla is the definition of unconditional love. She accepts and embraces our flaws and works tirelessly everyday to show us how grateful she is to have us.

After Layla came Violet. I loved Violet. She was mischievous and hilarious and shaped like a hippopotamus. You couldn't look at her without smiling. I sobbed hysterically the day Violet got adopted and I continued crying for days. I knew she would be happier in a home that had more time for her, but it didn't make it hurt any less.

After Violet came Bogart and her two babies, Benny and Brando. Having two 3 week old puppies was a new experience for us. Every night, I raced home from work and my husband and I spent hours admiring how cute "our" babies were. While Brando was the rambunctious one, Benny was the sweet one. Benny loved to be held and give kisses with his adorable puppy breath. The puppies were eventually weaned and ready for adoption, then one day, Benny got sick.

The vet believed it was distemper, a death sentence for most puppies. We spent the next month fighting for Benny's life, giving him IV fluids and nebulizer treatments. There were happy moments during the day when Benny would gain energy and run around the house chasing my pant legs. We hung onto these moments, hoping that Benny would beat the odds.

Late one Friday night, Benny took a turn for the worse. He was suffering terribly and it became evident that we had to set him free. I held him, wrapped in his favorite blanket, and sang to him while the emergency vet sent him to the bridge. I cried myself to sleep for weeks.

After losing Benny, I felt defeated. I needed to do something to honor him, something to make up for the fact that he didn't get a chance at life. Luckily, I met Harrison.

It was love at first sight with Harrison. He has the same gentle soul that Benny had with these eyes that reel you in and make you feel at ease. Found as a stray, barely able to walk, you can see that his previous life was not an easy one. Yet, despite his difficult past, his spirit remains uplifting and magnetic. You just want to be around him. He is truly perfect.

I cannot even begin to explain the effect that fostering has had on my heart, my soul, and my life. My fosters have taught me the important lessons of unconditional love, contentment, acceptance, and self sacrifice.

So, to Layla, Violet, Benny, Brando, Bogart, and Harrison, thank you. You have saved me from a life of boredom and made me indescribably happy. I love you.

Sarah McHugh

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation
is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John F. Kennedy

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.

Autumn Safety Tips - Here are some tips to keep your pet snug and healthy during the autumn months.

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

Wentzville, MO - Wentzville dog owner challenges pit bull ordinance - The pit bull ordinance in Wentzville, Missouri is set to be reviewed next week, and a resident whose dogs have been described as "pit bulls" by the city is seeking a change to the ordinance. Please politely encourage the Wentzville officials to consider the upcoming review as an opportunity to enact an effective breed-neutral ordinance that focuses on behavior rather than breed, as well as reckless dog owners. The mayor and aldermen can be contacted via a form on the city's website or, in the alternative, you can send correspondence via the city clerk with a polite request to forward on to each member of the board and the mayor.

Donnellson, Iowa - Donnellson officials still looking at banning specific dog breeds - The city of Donnellson, Iowa is currently considering an ordinance that would ban breeds of dogs deemed "vicious." The ordinance was not complete in time for Monday's meeting, and the council has decided to take another month to consider the ordinance before voting on it.

Please take this opportunity to voice your POLITE, RESPECTFUL and INFORMATIVE opposition to breed specific legislation. Please also include viable alternatives and suggestions for the city's consideration.

ADVOCACY ALERT! - Missouri: Protect Your Animal Shelters from Crippling Taxation!

Earlier this year, the Missouri Legislature passed a bill, SB 161, to undo the voter-passed protections of Proposition B, the 2010 Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act. In its wake, the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act was passed, leaving many decisions up to the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MODA). MODA recently issued proposed rules, which weaken the standards that commercial breeders must meet even further than the legislature already had by undoing critical provisions like the requirement for an annual, hands-on vet exam for each dog.

Even worse, MODA has increased significantly the state's licensing fees for animal shelters: Shelters could be charged up to $2,500 a year for an operating license. Shelters will also be charged a tax on each dog and cat who is successfully adopted out. This provision acts as a disincentive for shelters to do exactly what they are supposed to do -- find homes for adoptable animals.

Animal shelters provide their communities with a much-needed service. They are not profit-making businesses and should not be treated as such. Requiring them to pay a tax on each animal they adopt out flies in the face of logic. Animal shelters are feeling the effects of these hard economic times on multiple levels: more and more families are being forced to give up their beloved pets, fewer people can afford to adopt, and donations are down. Exorbitant state license fees and irrational taxes could force many shelters to close their doors permanently.

What You Can Do: Please use the form HERE to email the Missouri Department of Agriculture today and urge it to 1) reverse its decision to tax animal shelters and rescues, and 2) make the rules as strong as possible to protect Missouri's thousands of puppy mill dogs.

Thank you for taking immediate action and sharing this alert with fellow Missourians!

Sara Lee found herself at the shelter and sadly, no one came for her. We can't figure why someone would abandon her because this girl just oozes with sweetness and is so loving and affectionate! Sara Lee is a short and stocky, big boned girl and has a huge head. She's very much a "Bulldog" type of Pit Bull, rather than a "Terrier" type.

Her foster home includes a young male pit bull whom she gets along with well. There are small children, ages 1-6 that frequently visit and she does really well with them. In fact, Sara does really good with whoever comes over. Everyone who sees her compliments how calm and loving she is.

She is crate trained, house-broken, responsive and very easy to handle. She knows how to sit and stay.

Sara loves car rides and her daily walks. She's awesome on a leash and doesn't pull at all! Her best trait is her ability to melt your heart with just one look. You can't help but look at Sara and just want to love her. She is very laid back and would make a great companion for someone looking for a low-energy, easy and very affectionate pit bull.

Don't let this sweet precious girl pass you by so APPLY today!

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

Leslie has been a volunteer with Missouri Pit Bull Rescue just under a year. She became interested in volunteering after adopting her pit bull mix, Lilly, and learning about the harsh realities of the breed.

Leslie loves helping out at the shelter, assisting with events, and providing help whenever possible. This summer Leslie attempted her first foster with mpr. She quickly learned that the dog she took in was not just perfect for any family, but her own. From then on Stash and Lilly have become the best of friends, and truly have become her "children."

Leslie feels very fortunate to be a part of MPR; she not only has learned a wealth of information about the breed, but has had the opportunity to meet an amazing group of people who have the same passion as her own: saving dogs.

Leslie, 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....

JASPER IS HOME!!! Jasper is our little green-eyed boy. When he first came home he was cautious, unsure. Day by day we witnessed him open up more and more. With each new person he met, he was more interested. He gets along very well with his pittie playmate, Cookie. They love walking and playing outside together. It's sweet to see them looking out the windows in the house together and extra sweet when they fall asleep next to each other. Jasper is a pro at riding in the car now. He loves hanging his head out the window to catch some wind. Too cute! Our buddy has come a long way from Swope Park. He has melted our hearts and we our so proud to call him a part of our family. We thank you so much for bringing us together!

Peace, Love and Pit Bulls,

Robert & Jenni

I thought I would let you know that Rocco (Bassam) passed obedience class last night. I'm so proud of my "meat head". Our local kennel club offers adult obedience classes (over 10 months old) and they are great for bonding with your dog. Rocco has done well since the beginning and one of the trainer's assistants just loves him. His last skills test last night was down/stay for 3 minutes (they had to remain down for at least 2 minutes). He stayed the full 3 minutes without moving an inch.

He's such a good boy. Gets along great with Diva, my other pittie. Now that it's getting colder outside, they sleep in the same dog bed together every night. They curl up like yin/yan. Boy, can the kid snore, though! It's irritating when my husband snores, but I sometimes lay in bed during the middle of the night chuckling because it's hilarious when Rocco does it. Anyhoo, he's the best dog E-V-E-R!

Robin

Boogly Boo is doing great, I named him Sampson. He still gets a little rough when other guys come into the house but he treats all girls like his best friend. I have pictures and videos to share (the last one is pretty good it's a full minute of him trying to bury his bone in his bed.)

Thank you,

Evan