Oh My Dog!

obsessed with dogs

The 2016 Pinups for Pitbulls Model call is OPEN! #pfpbmodelcall16 #BtC4A

The 2016 Pinups for Pitbulls Model call is OPEN!

Pinups for Pitbulls 2016 model call is OPEN!

As you guys know, I am passionate about and dedicated to advocating for pit-bull-type dogs. Often, the discussion surrounding these beloved dogs can be heated and contentious. There’s so much negativity, and it can be disheartening.

I truly believe that Pinups for Pitbulls is a bright, shining light in the animal welfare world!

Everyone involved in the organization pours their hearts into their work – all for the love of their dogs and dogs like them who deserve a chance. Emmett and I were thrilled, honored, and ecstatic to be in the 2015 calendar and are so excited that we might get the chance to volunteer at an event in Indy this February for the organization!

The efforts are, of course, driven by the calendar. (You DO have your 2015 calendar, right?!?)

Well, wouldn’t you know! Coincidentally, the 2016 model call opened TODAY! Just in time for me to participate in Blog the Change for Animals!

The deets:

  • The model call is open from today, January 15, through March 1.
  • Click on this link to reach the application.
  • There is a $55 tax-deductible donation to apply. That money supports advocacy efforts all year long!
  • You can apply for yourself, for you plus your dog, or for just your dog.

The photoshoot experience was pretty amazing. I have NEVER had my hair and makeup styled like that by a professional makeup artist. It was so much fun, even though I was a nervous wreck. Emmett was a total ham, too! And now we have this incredible piece of his legacy, a great way that he was able to advocate for himself and dogs like him.

So, what’re you waiting for?! Go apply! Be the change for pit-bull-type dogs!

 

Puppy love

Can you even stand this darling face??

“My doctrine is this: that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and we do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt.”
— Anna Sewell, English Novelist

*Have you checked out Be the Change for Animals yet? I’m excited and honored that the Campaign to End BSL is the first featured project, but bookmark the site and check in weekly for simple steps you can take to help animals!

Breed-specific Legislation: Part 2

Yesterday I wrote about BSL, what it is, why it’s wrong, and my commitment to do something about it.

We’re presented with a unique opportunity. In September, BlogPaws will be held in Denver, a city that has already killed 2,266 dogs as part of their breed ban. BlogPaws is the coming together of hundreds of bloggers, hundreds of writers who are a voice for the animals, hundreds of people determined to be the change.

So here’s what I propose: I want to educate and advocate for the dogs and responsible owners who suffer under BSL.

Let’s use our blogs as the platform to educate people about BSL. I challenge you to write about BSL. Write about how it affects responsible pet owners in cities like Denver. Write about bullies and German Shepherds and Rottweilers who are shining examples of their wonderful breeds. Write about owners making a difference or organizations working to combat BSL. Write and link and tweet and update your status to show that you are a blogger against BSL. I commit to posting links to every blog post that you write. This weekend, I’m working on a redesign to the blog that includes a tab dedicated to BSL-related blog posts, news stories, and useful links. Can I add yours to my list? Let’s make a whole lot of noise about BSL and why it’s discriminatory, unethical, unfounded, and, most importantly, why we won’t stand for it.

But I believe we can do more. I believe we can advocate for the animals and owners affected by BSL.

Denver is known as the mile-high city. One mile is 5,280 feet. I propose that we activate our networks to create 5,280 feet of postcards that show our individual opposition to BSL. That’s 9,052 5×7″ postcards, which I will then mail to the Colorado State House. Let’s flood them with postcards that give a voice to the animals and owners who are suffering under the breed ban.

So that’s the idea. Here’s how I see it working – but please, please weigh in! I want this to be a collaboration.

I will create a series of templates that anyone can download and use. The templates will ensure that the postcards meet USPS’ requirements. But everyone can exercise their creativity to make the cards unique. Put pictures of bullies and Shepherds and Akitas on the front, and write a personal note about why you think Denver should repeal their breed ban. Include stats, anecdotes, heartfelt messages supporting the victims of this legislation. After the cards are created, I will collect them either via email or U.S. Mail. I’ll bring the whole mile-long chain of postcards to BlogPaws – maybe we can even display them in one of the conference rooms! Then, once BlogPaws ends, the whole shebang will be mailed all together, all at once to the State House to show in a loud, vibrant, visual way that we are opposed to BSL and that we support these breeds and their responsible owners.

I’m going to work on the changes to the site over the weekend and work out several of the logistical details. Expect to see the full “how to” of it all on Monday! In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you! Will you commit to creating a postcard? To activating your network to create postcards? How about tackling BSL on your own blog?