Pitties get SUCH a bad rap and then end up dying in our shelters - not because of the breed, but because of bad humans and bad ideas...
One of my TLC volunteer fosters is currently fostering a Pitty named "Ruby Lee", a street dog that was left to survive on her own after becoming pregnant... Ruby Lee went on to deliver 7 healthy puppies at Kathy's house on January 19th (a first for Kathy who was nervous about 'birthin puppies')...
Kathy consistently fosters moms with puppies for us... And Kathy has a German Pinscher named "Molly" who was one of her fosters (a foster fail - we've all had them)... Initially Ruby Lee would hide underneath the coffee table whenever Molly was around - and Ruby Lee is TWICE the size of Molly as you can see from the video...
This just goes to show you that with the right humans, even Pitties can be just like any other dog - what the video here: https://www.facebook.com/100008431834043/videos/1575621256062254/
The video starts out slow, but Molly is actually teaching Ruby Lee how to play like a dog... And those jumps are not easy to do when you are carrying 8 milk jugs for your puppies on your tummy!
I am posting this video to show folks that Pittys are just like every other dog - you provide the proper situation for them and they will bloom... Until we stop spreading only the bad, isolated incidents about this particular mix of dogs, we will keep killing them in our shelters for lack of space...
Here are the photos that prompted us to take in Ruby Lee as she lived on the streets and continued to grow pregnant...
We REALLY need to start spaying and neutering our dogs UNLESS we are showing them as purebreds... There is absolutely NO other reason to keep a dog intact unless you want them to get various forms of cancer early and shorten their life... Intact dogs are hormonal-driven to mate and they will find a way to do so no matter what you do... Unwanted pregnancies are the #1 reason these females end up in the shelters... And also the #1 reason intact males go stray and are picked up by animal control... We proved it that intact dogs bark more and spayed/neutered dogs bark less... What more does anyone need to believe the facts and start changing the mindsets of all of us?
Ruby Lee is a goodwill ambassador of this breed mix and continues to prove that just because of what you look like or labeled, that is not a reason to be killed or die...
I ask everyone to share this blog and that video of her with Molly in the hopes that one by one, we CAN change the minds of people who belive these dogs need to die... And at taxpayers' expense... Even if you don't have a dog, if you are a taxpayer, your tax monies are going to take care of the irresponsible dog owners that live in our communities... EVERYONE should be doing due diligence to educate those around us as to the plight of these unwanted, homeless animals which flood our shelters and rescues...
I myself have a Pitty named "Momma" who comes to the rescue center every day and at night, sleeps with a 3-pounder named "Fiesty"... Momma has changed many minds and hearts about this breed (and saved a puppy who needed a blood transfusion)... People who care need to join together and stop not only the needless use of taxpayer funds to house and care for unwanted pets of others, but to spread the word that we ALL are responsible for what is going on in our communities as well as the incorrect reputation of the bully mixes...
Spread the word, people! Change some opinions and mindsets of those you know and love!
Linda
Director, TLC
P.S. RubyLee's puppies at 2 weeks old are below:
We were contacted about this dog because of our past work with this breed, but this is just not a dog we can take on right now for a number of reasons. I will share his story and photos in the hopes someone has the knowledge and heart to save this boy.
According to officials with Riverside County Animal Services, the black and white male Labrador-shepherd mix was found roaming as a stray in the Sky Valley area on Thursday, September 19th. A concerned resident reported the strange sight and two officers showed up to assist the pooch.
The officers saw the dog's head was stuck inside a large, cylindrical plastic jug. You may have seen a similar container at the grocery store filled with snack items like pretzels or cheese balls.
"Plastic containers, especially ones that used to have food in them, are curiosity magnets for critters," said Riverside County Animal Services Commander Rita Gutierrez. "This is another major reason why people shouldn't litter, and of course, why people shouldn't let their pets roam freely."
Lt. Luis Rosa and Officer Gerald Duchene cuaght up with the dog along Lyons Boulevard. According to the release, Lt. Rosa was forced to use a tranquilizer dart because the dog would scurry away every time they would approach him. Once he was sedated, officers were able to safely remove the jug from his head.
Veterinarians at the Coachella Valley Animal Hospital in Thousand Palms examined the dog and he appeared healthy, despite having his head stuck in a plastic jug in temperatures that reached 105 degrees. Animal Control said he wouldn't have lasted much longer in the heat, and obviously wouldn't have been able to eat or drink anything if they weren't alerted to the situation.
"We do not know how long he had that thing on his head, but it couldn't have been a comfortable situation in this terrible heat," Lt. Rosa said. "We were very happy to be able to help him out of a jam."
Commander Rita Gutierrez said she once had to pull a child's toy teapot off a skunk's head. "Not only is littering terrible for the environment, but our pets and wildlife get curious and sometimes that curiosity can lead to serious injuries, or even death, all because of the trash people discard.
According to officials with the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, he is extremely fearful and needs a experienced rescue or dog owner.
This boy is at the Coachella Riverside shelter - RCDAS.ORG
His impound number is A1142708 and he can be found online HERE. Their phone number is (760) 343-3644. Address is 72050 Petland Place, Thousand Palms, CA.
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According to a fellow rescuer, this dog is back in isolation again because he is so fearful. The shelter staff have been working with him, but he really needs a miracle (or a guardian angel).
