​Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, another holiday or no holidays at all, caring and giving are always in season. This year I was honored to take part in the Third Annual Jeffrey’s Joy of Giving Donation Drive sponsored by Jeffrey the Positively Peaceful Pit Bull and his mom Michele.

​For those who have read “Loyalty Unleashed II,” you already know Jeffrey’s story. For those who have not, Jeffrey was adopted from the Manhattan, NY Animal Care and Control Center after being found abandoned in a park. He was literally minutes from death when he was saved thanks to the heroic efforts of Michele and a number of other people. These people all came together to save one dog and because of this one dog, they became a family.

​As for Jeffrey, he went on to accomplish extraordinary things. Among his achievements - he is an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen, a Pet Partners Registered Therapy, Dog, a Reiki Attuned Canine and an all-around good will ambassador who is universally adored by all who have the privilege of knowing him.

​Each year Jeffrey and Michele host Jeffrey’s Joy of Giving as a way of showing gratitude and giving back to the community. This year food and clothing were collected for the Beth-El Shelter of Milford, CT, monetary donations will be made to Collide NY and the Beyond Breed Ruff Riders Program and pet food and supplies were collected for area community outreach programs.

As donations poured in throughout the day, one could not help but be in awe of how one person and one dog can make such an enormous difference for so many. 

​Jeffrey’s Joy of Giving serves as an inspiration for all of us to go out and do something to make the world a little better for those who are less fortunate. Jeffrey was given the gift of life and he and Michele are certainly making the most of it and are more than happy to pay it forward.





Photo credits Jeffrey the Positively Peaceful Pit Bull and Michele Houston

Are you looking for a unique gift? Or maybe you just love art. Well here is a truly innovative idea. How about art made by rescue dogs?

If you like the idea then you need look no further than Paws That Draw - Rescue Dog Pup Art. Here you will find beautiful, framed pieces painted by dogs.

​The pieces are acrylic on canvas. The canvas is placed on the floor with one paint color and covered in plastic. The dogs then paint with their paws, tails and bottoms by walking on, sitting on or running across the canvas. The paint is allowed to dry and the process is repeated with another color, then repeated again and again with different colors until it looks just right.

​It is not always easy to get the artists to cooperate. As their mom says, “When working with temperamental artists, one has to be patient. You cannot say to them, "ok we are painting for the next hour!" There are things to consider: breakfast, treats, naps, treats, outside, more treats, then another nap. OK well maybe we will paint later...and maybe not. It was like that this morning! Dog artists are such divas!”

​The artwork is eventually finished and each piece is given a name, signed and framed. Each is an original - a one of a kind masterpiece. Not only do the paintings make a beautiful addition to your home, but proceeds are used to pay for veterinary care for rescue dogs.

There is truly something for every taste and color palate. Prices start at just $30.00 so there is also something for every budget. Shipping is available anywhere in the continental US. Contact Paws that Draw by messaging here with questions or for more information.

Give a gift made with love and help rescue dogs at the same time. It’s a win-win!
 

It is always nice to hear from some of the amazing people I have met through my writing. Reading updates on the dogs I have written about and hearing how well they are doing just never gets old.

This week we will feature one of those dogs - a beautiful pittie girl named Tyka. Tyka was saved from the streets of Minneapolis, Minnesota almost three years ago by Secondhand Hounds. She was found in very poor condition but remained sweet and loving. Eventually she found her way into the home and hearts of her forever family.

Tyka is a living, breathing testament to resilience and forgiveness and continues to change minds about bully breed dogs every day. You can read Tyka’s full story in “Loyalty Unleashed” and also an update in “Loyalty Unleashed II.” You can also follow her on her Facebook page, Tyka’s Tale.

Thanks to her mom Beth we have some wonderful pictures and videos to share of Tyka. Clearly she is a remarkable dog who is obliterating stereotypes every day.

​All photos and videos (c) Beth Gordon Citurs

This is Tyka about three weeks after she was rescued. As you can see she had a horrible case of Demodex mange but that did not stop her from being sweet and loving.

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She loves hanging out with her best friend Raven. They share everything!

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She loves all animals and has zero prey drive. She is actually scared of bunnies in her backyard!
She has welcomed at least thirty to forty fosters into the family home and she is an amazing big sister. 

And now for some fun videos of Tyka with various friends and family.

​Well there you have it - there is no doubt Tyka is one very special girl!

Thank you Beth and Tyka for visiting loyalpitbulllove,com today and brightening our day!

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Video credit Jessy Lytle

This is the most difficult post I have written since this website began nearly two years ago. There are times when feelings run so deeply they cannot adequately be expressed in words. This is one of those times.

Just over a month ago, on Halloween, I was invited to participate in an event for the SweetPea Friends of Rutland Animal Shelter in Paxton, MA. It was the first annual Halloween Spooktacular – a fun filled day of shopping, trick-or-treating, costume contests and more for people and their pets. It was my first time meeting most of the people involved with this shelter – people who are truly passionate about animals and their well-being. It was a happy day for one of the only true no-kill shelters in Massachusetts.

The joy that was felt that day was met with unspeakable tragedy last week. For those who do not know, a devastating fire ripped through the shelter overnight on November 23rd, killing all but four dogs and two cats. Thirteen dogs and thirty-three cats were lost in the blaze. 

Today I ask for your help. I consider the community we have built here at loyalpitbulllove.com a family, and can say undoubtedly that the folks at SweetPea are a family too, filled with some of the most compassionate and loving animal rescue folks I have ever come across. The shelter has never turned its back on an animal, and now we need to make sure we do not turn our backs on the shelter.

There are a number of ways we can help SweetPea get back on its feet and give more animals a chance they would not otherwise have. One thing we can all do is vote daily in the Shelter Challenge here. This will cost you nothing but a moment of your time each day.  For those who live in the area, the shelter is holding a Photos with Santa event on Sunday December 6th. There is also a Road to Recovery benefit in Worcester, MA on December 20th, an online t-shirt sale and a bandana fundraiser.  For the month of December, Juno's Place is also doing a t-shirt sale for SweetPea. In addition, the shelter is posting an ever changing wish list on its Facebook page. Monetary donations can be made here.

The heartbreak and devastation felt by those who knew and loved these animals will be with them forever and while the lives that were lost can never be replaced, we can honor them by helping the shelter rebuild and save other animals in their names. To all the folks involved with the shelter and the brave firefighters who risked their lives to save the animals, please know you are in our thoughts today. Words will never be enough.

Photo credit SweatPea Friends of Rutland Animals Facebook page