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Those of us who are homeowners know all too well that most insurance companies DO discriminate if you own certain breeds of dogs. Luckily there are some that don't. While not all of these are created equal, here are some options for owners of pit bulls and other unfairly maligned breeds.  

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Meet Slater And His All-Star Parents Jamie and Mark Buehrle

4/27/2015

11 Comments

 
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A little over two years ago I came across this article on the ESPN website about All-Star pitcher Mark Buehrle of the Toronto Blue Jays and how he would be spending the baseball season away from his family.

You see, the Buehrle family owns a pit bull named Slater and Toronto has a breed ban. Buehrle and his wife Jamie made the decision that rather than leave Slater in the care of others, Jamie would stay at home in Missouri with their two children and four dogs - Slater and three Vizslas, Duke, Drake and Diesel - and Mark would live in Canada.for the baseball season.

Mark and Jamie Buehrle are passionate animal advocates and Jamie actively volunteers with Hope Animal Rescues.

Today it is an honor and a privilege to bring you Jamie Buehrle as she speaks about her dogs, her rescue work and how Breed Specific Legislation has affected her family. (All photos courtesy of Jamie Buehrle)

Jamie, before we begin, I would just like to thank you for taking the time to visit with loyalpitbulllove.com and answering a few questions for our readers. 

Enjoy, everyone!


Q.  Jamie, you have three other dogs, all Vizslas, so that is obviously a breed that you like. So, how did you happen to become a pit bull owner?

A. I always said my next dog would be a "pit bull type dog" after working with so many doing rescue work. I did not plan on adding a fourth dog. Then one day I went to a local animal control with Hope Rescues and pulled thirteen dogs over two days that were on their last day of life. Slater was in the back area where hardly anyone went. He sat so quietly just hoping to be noticed. There was something about him I just loved instantly but I knew the timing for me to add another dog was not ideal. He was adopted not long after getting to Hope Rescues so I told myself that was the sign I needed that he wasn't meant to be mine. I left for Spring Training that year as usual. About three days before I was scheduled to come home to St. Louis, and then pack up for the season and head to Chicago, Slater was returned to the rescue. The home he was in had another dog that did not like to share the attention and Slater became increasingly fearful of her. The adoptive mom made the difficult to decision to return him. Mark said he never heard me talk about a dog that I have rescued this much and that I should just get him. So Slater came to my house on a trial basis and he never left. He has been a great addition to our family ever since.
Q.  Before you adopted your pit bull Slater, did you have any preconceived ideas about the breed and if so how have your views changed?

A. I always knew I loved "pit bull type dogs" but I will admit I felt like I needed to be prepared to bring him into my house with multiple dogs and small children. So, I went online and read blogs and tips from some well known "advocates for the breed." After reading a lot of them I was afraid I was making a terrible decision. Several suggested always having a break stick on hand in case a fight broke out. I kept thinking, how would that work with small children? Then I took a step back and decided to base my decision on my experience with every pit bull dog I had interacted with instead. It turns out my experience was pretty accurate.
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Q.  When you adopted Slater, did you have any idea what was in store for you and your family and how you would be affected? For example, were you aware of breed bans in certain cities and did you have a plan in place just in case?

A. I knew there were breed bans but had no idea it would ever affect my family. I remember reading a Facebook page on the Toronto ban and thinking how horrible that was. When Mark was considering signing with the Miami Marlins I knew that Miami Dade County had a ban and we made sure we could find a place to live before he committed. We also had to deal with insurance issues as well. Our homeowners insurance did not cover pit bulls. We were advised that when they did an inspection to just put him somewhere where he would not be seen. I declined as he had never done anything to warrant having to be hidden. Our insurance company decided to make an exception but I chose to change insurance companies. I do not want to support companies that discriminate.
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Q.  Tell us about the advocacy you and your husband Mark are involved in. To what extent has this been influenced by owning a pit bull?

A. Mark and I continually speak out about adopting from a shelter versus going to a breeder most of all. I always try to help people find dogs in shelters that fit their needs. Secondly, we speak out against Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) as often as we can. I am so glad that our story has helped create awareness. Not only do we have a platform with the rescue community but we also have the sports world platform. I spoke last year at the One Million Pibble March on Washington D.C. and I will say I am still continually surprised at how many people relate to my story and how many minds I have helped change on BSL. Most of all I am glad that our story has helped to start the conversation between people that otherwise had no idea such discrimination existed.
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Q.  Is there anything else you would like people to know - either about yourself, your rescue work or how people can help to affect change?

A. I love helping with rescues and interacting with the animals. I go to Hope Rescues to clean kennels and help whenever I have the chance. I hope to do it a lot more once Mark is around more. I transport dogs and sponsor as many as I can. It saddens me on a daily basis the amount of animals that are surrendered, abandoned, and abused. I hope one day the penalties become a lot stiffer and abusers are truly made to pay. I also hope that people will stop making blanket statements about any breed and start judging the dogs as individuals. Responsible owners need to be the norm not the exception. I can dream right?


Yes, we can all dream of a better world but people like Mark and Jamie Buehrle are doing so much more than that. They are amazing role models and living examples of how we should all stand up for the things that are important to us. Each and every day they demonstrate how we can all make a difference and be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves..

Thank you Jamie and Mark for all you do!

I would also like to direct your attention to another blog called Homeo Animal. Hope Rescues, the group mentioned by Jamie in this interview, was one of the contributors to this series called "The Ultimate Guide To Pet Adoption." This twelve part series contains a wealth of information that will be benefit any pet owner or anyone considering adopting a pet. Be sure to check it out here: http://www.homeoanimal.com/blog-animal-health/ultimate-guide-pet-adoption-sneak-preview/
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11 Comments
Colleen
4/27/2015 11:48:27 pm

Excellent interview with an exceptional lady. As a volunteer at Hope and the lucky owner of a Buehrle-sponsored Pittie Mix, Bailey, I thank them for everything they do to help those that can't speak for themselves.

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Sue link
4/28/2015 06:31:43 am

Thank you for your comment, Colleen. I have not had the pleasure of meeting Jamie personally but I am just so impressed with everything about her. She not afraid to speak out when she sees an injustice, she is teaching her children strong family values as well as kindness and respect for animals and not many people would take the time to do something like this interview for someone she has never met. To thank her just does not seem like enough.

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Tina
9/26/2015 02:39:41 pm

Wonderful article! I used to work for the White Sox while Mark played for them and had the privilege to meet his wife at their Sox for Strays event. I was aways interested in Pit Bulls but very hesitant on the breed. Jamie educated us on the pros of them and showed my niece (7 years old at the time) a few of the dogs. I made a promise to myself that when I was financially able to support a dog and give them the attention they deserve that it would be given to a Pittie. It's now 10 years later and my fiancé and I are the proud parents of a 3 year old Pit Bull named Riley Ann. She is the BEST dog in the world. She is so gentle and loving with kids. Very friendly with anyone who walks in our door. Doesn't make for a good watch dog since she thinks everyone on Earth was placed here specifically to play with her. That day at the stadium brought awareness to us. Pit Bulls are not these evil monsters the media makes them out to be. Our baby is the sweetest girl. She chose us at the shelter that day and everyday we see how lucky we are to have such an amazing fur baby. Our next goal now is to make her a big sister.

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Sue link
9/27/2015 04:47:41 pm

Thank you for writing Tina. While I have never had the privilege of meeting Jamie in person, I so admire the work she does with animal rescue and being a voice for pit bulls. Thank you for having an open mind and heart and for giving Riley Ann a loving home. We need more people like you!

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Cathy Trout
5/4/2016 07:27:41 am

I can't thank this family enough for saving Slater. I am a huge baseball fan. My son plays and loves to pitch when he can. Your dedication to your family which includes Slater and your other dogs is LOVE IN ACTION. I thank you so much. I have a new favorite pitcher and it's Mark. And Jamie you are an amazing wife who shows what it truly means to serve and be an example of God's love for us all. You are one of my heroes. I can't thank you enough. Please hug Slater and your other pups. God Bless you all.

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Sue link
5/20/2016 12:29:26 pm

Agreed Cathy. Jamie and Mark are truly heroes and wonderful role models.

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Cathy Trout
5/4/2016 07:28:01 am

I can't thank this family enough for saving Slater. I am a huge baseball fan. My son plays and loves to pitch when he can. Your dedication to your family which includes Slater and your other dogs is LOVE IN ACTION. I thank you so much. I have a new favorite pitcher and it's Mark. And Jamie you are an amazing wife who shows what it truly means to serve and be an example of God's love for us all. You are one of my heroes. I can't thank you enough. Please hug Slater and your other pups. God Bless you all.

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Cathy Trout
5/4/2016 07:28:39 am

I can't thank this family enough for saving Slater. I am a huge baseball fan. My son plays and loves to pitch when he can. Your dedication to your family which includes Slater and your other dogs is LOVE IN ACTION. Jamie and Mark ROCK. God Bless you all.

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Nuala
5/18/2016 06:53:13 pm

You are an amazing family with true values for ALL your family members. You are teaching your children respect, compassion and loyalty and it's so heartwarming to see this when so many people just decide to "rehouse" their dogs when things for them just don't work out. Thank you for being wonderful human beings and teaching your children to be the same

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Sue link
5/20/2016 12:30:57 pm

You are so right Nuala. Jamie and Mark are teaching their children to do the right thing. I'm sure they will grow up to be just as kind and caring as their parents.

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Soraya McKay
5/21/2016 06:48:51 pm

I just finished watching "The Champions" and I have to say how wonderful I think your family is for realizing that a dog is not just a possession, but he/she is a member of that family. Bravo for standing up against laws that outlaw dogs because of their breed. You are an inspiration and I wish you all the best of love and success as you raise your children to be kind and thoughtful people. Good work!

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    About the Author

    Sue Torres is an animal advocate, rescue volunteer and proud owner of a previously abused pit bull who was slated to be destroyed for being tense and fearful in the shelter environment.

    Inspired by their resilience, devotion and ability to forgive, she now devotes herself to restoring the image of these once-esteemed and cherished family pets. She works tirelessly to promote the adoption of pit bulls in our nation's shelters and change perceptions about this extremely misunderstood and unjustly maligned breed.

    She lives in Connecticut with her rescued pit bull, Mickey. Her first book, Loyalty Unleashed was published in May, 2014 and is avsailable in paperback and e-book formats. Loyalty Unleashed II (her second book) is now available, also in paperback and e-book formats.

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