'Pit Bulls and Parolees' premieres tonight (Baltimore Sun)

[News Feed]

There's a show debuting tonight on Animal Planet that seems potentially interesting in a bit of a "Rescue Ink" kind of way. "...focusing on a fiery, fearless 49-year-old pit bull rescuer and trainer -- Tia Maria Torres -- who owns the largest pit bull rescue center in the country.

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[angiekay]

That article is dated 10-30-09, does that mean it aired on that night? or is it airing again tonite, I would like to see this, we own american pitbull terriers!

[Yoshi&Sebastian]

I love pit bulls!

[Heady]

One thing that I'm very happy about and have been noticing lately is there are more educational and positive shows coming out featuring pit bulls! I first noticed it when I watched the Dog Whisperer, and his herd. Although, I think he's on NatGeo... Anyway, I haven't seen "Rescue Ink" yet...is that on Animal Planet? I'm going to be looking out for "Pit Bulls and Parolees".

I like to watch all the different Animal Cops when I can, but a few years ago, when I started watching them, I was pretty upset with Animal Cops Houston, because they always seemed to euthanize when it wasn't really necessary. I like it when these animals (pit bulls) are given second chances by being able to work with a behaviorist and then be adopted! Such a great feeling and such terrific dogs!!!

[Yoshi&Sebastian]

Originally Posted by Heady

One thing that I'm very happy about and have been noticing lately is there are more educational and positive shows coming out featuring pit bulls! I first noticed it when I watched the Dog Whisperer, and his herd. Although, I think he's on NatGeo... Anyway, I haven't seen "Rescue Ink" yet...is that on Animal Planet? I'm going to be looking out for "Pit Bulls and Parolees".

I like to watch all the different Animal Cops when I can, but a few years ago, when I started watching them, I was pretty upset with Animal Cops Houston, because they always seemed to euthanize when it wasn't really necessary. I like it when these animals (pit bulls) are given second chances by being able to work with a behaviorist and then be adopted! Such a great feeling and such terrific dogs!!!

I buy my hay and pellets from a local PetSmart, and on Saturdays they have dog adoptions out front. It's heartbreaking to see everybody ignoring the pit bulls completely. I always stop by them and sit with them for a few minutes... I even remember one woman steering her kid away from one of them telling her to look at the 'nicer' dogs.

I guess I'm lucky to have parents that raised everything from ducks to a wolf-dog, so I grew up seeing dogs as big, fuzzy, happy, cute babies no matter the breed or size. I feel bad for these kids that will grow up with parents telling them that a breed of dog is 'mean' or 'bad'...

[Heady]

Originally Posted by Yoshi&Sebastian

It's heartbreaking to see everybody ignoring the pit bulls completely. I always stop by them and sit with them for a few minutes... I even remember one woman steering her kid away from one of them telling her to look at the 'nicer' dogs.

I guess I'm lucky to have parents that raised everything from ducks to a wolf-dog, so I grew up seeing dogs as big, fuzzy, happy, cute babies no matter the breed or size. I feel bad for these kids that will grow up with parents telling them that a breed of dog is 'mean' or 'bad'...

That truly is heartbreaking...you're so right.

Many people from my childhood and up had different dogs, and a few had pit bulls. I was never allowed to have any animals, so when I moved out and was on my own, I started to adopt.

Anyway, there was a person in particular that I met in late-teens, early adulthood. He had a beautiful red pit bull and I can't say exactly what he did because I know I'm not allowed to in here, but it was awful. Anytime my then-boyfriend and I would go to see this guy, the pit bull behaved the way he was taught until one day I sat on the living room floor of this guy's place and eventually this beautiful animal warmed up to me...he laid across my lap and I tickled his belly, smooshed my face against his snout and gave him kisses. When the guy came back into the living room and saw me with his dog, he flipped. He said the most awful things to me and called me every name that's offensive to a girl...I never went back. But I always wished that I was older and knew what I know NOW and would have tried to get the dog out of his "care".

A family friend had one and it was the complete opposite. This guy worshipped Rebel (the pit). And Rebel adored having people around. Eventually, Bruce (the guy) adopted a Jack Russell (Peppy), and seeing this large pit bull snuggled up and playing with this itty bitty dog was wonderful. I'm glad I saw it when I was young because that experience paved the way for how I see pit bulls.

They are magnificent creatures that deserve to be loved and respected. And it breaks my heart when people that aren't informed about them and think horrible things talk about and influence other people to behave the same as they do. And they just don't realize that ANY dog is capable of harm. I've never, ever had a problem with pit bulls, but labs and hounds...man, I could tell you stories upon stories...

I think it's SO awesome that you were raised among a variety of animals. I really wish I was directly involved with animals of my own while growing up because sometimes I feel like those that have always had animals around have a better understanding of the nature of....everything. I try to, but I guess I was a late bloomer. Other members of my family had different animals, so I did get to play sometimes...but never had my own.

[angiekay]

I'm gonna have to put up some pics of our pretty babies (pits), we really love them alot, they are such loving dogs, I would venture to say the most loving breed I have ever owned, I've had rotties, german shepard and chihaha's. I'll post them up, they are beauties!! (edit: I don't see an appropriate "section" to post any pics of our other fur baby animals, except for gp's section?)

[Yoshi&Sebastian]

Originally Posted by Heady

That truly is heartbreaking...you're so right.

Many people from my childhood and up had different dogs, and a few had pit bulls. I was never allowed to have any animals, so when I moved out and was on my own, I started to adopt.

Anyway, there was a person in particular that I met in late-teens, early adulthood. He had a beautiful red pit bull and I can't say exactly what he did because I know I'm not allowed to in here, but it was awful. Anytime my then-boyfriend and I would go to see this guy, the pit bull behaved the way he was taught until one day I sat on the living room floor of this guy's place and eventually this beautiful animal warmed up to me...he laid across my lap and I tickled his belly, smooshed my face against his snout and gave him kisses. When the guy came back into the living room and saw me with his dog, he flipped. He said the most awful things to me and called me every name that's offensive to a girl...I never went back. But I always wished that I was older and knew what I know NOW and would have tried to get the dog out of his "care".

A family friend had one and it was the complete opposite. This guy worshipped Rebel (the pit). And Rebel adored having people around. Eventually, Bruce (the guy) adopted a Jack Russell (Peppy), and seeing this large pit bull snuggled up and playing with this itty bitty dog was wonderful. I'm glad I saw it when I was young because that experience paved the way for how I see pit bulls.

They are magnificent creatures that deserve to be loved and respected. And it breaks my heart when people that aren't informed about them and think horrible things talk about and influence other people to behave the same as they do. And they just don't realize that ANY dog is capable of harm. I've never, ever had a problem with pit bulls, but labs and hounds...man, I could tell you stories upon stories...

I think it's SO awesome that you were raised among a variety of animals. I really wish I was directly involved with animals of my own while growing up because sometimes I feel like those that have always had animals around have a better understanding of the nature of....everything. I try to, but I guess I was a late bloomer. Other members of my family had different animals, so I did get to play sometimes...but never had my own.

Wow, that's heartbreaking about how that guy raised the pit bull ...

Unfortunately, I wasn't raised around my parent's animals, they rescued and raised animals in Louisiana until I was born. Afterwards they sold their land and moved closer to the city to find better work to raise me. They only kept small dogs after I was born. I think it was because they were worried about a 100+ pound dog accidentally injuring me while playing, much less the 8 or so they would typically have at a time. However, I grew up hearing their stories about the animals they raised and was taught to love animals.

[Heady]

Originally Posted by angiekay

I'm gonna have to put up some pics of our pretty babies (pits), we really love them alot, they are such loving dogs, I would venture to say the most loving breed I have ever owned, I've had rotties, german shepard and chihaha's. I'll post them up, they are beauties!! (edit: I don't see an appropriate "section" to post any pics of our other fur baby animals, except for gp's section?)

I would LOVE to see them Angie! I don't think I have, yet. Toward the bottom of the forum, there's an "Other" section...maybe you can post them in there?

Originally Posted by Yoshi&Sebastian

Wow, that's heartbreaking about how that guy raised the pit bull ...

However, I grew up hearing their stories about the animals they raised and was taught to love animals.

It still makes me sick when I think about it.

I think being taught to love animals at a young age is similar to growing up around them...you still understand the nature.

Unfortunately, I wasn't taught to love animals by my immediate family. There are stories that I want to tell, but I know I'm not allowed to on here. Maybe I can say what I want in a blog? Would that be allowed, do you think?

Anyway, when I have children, I want to pass my and my husband's thinking down to them. Respect everything from ants to elephants. I will say, however, I have no respect for fruit flies, gnats, fleas and roaches I suppose that makes me a hypocrite!

I do though...I think it's wonderful that you were raised that way and you still carry that love for pit bulls and everything else.

[Katie_Kutthroat]

I love pit bulls. My neighbor has two, and they are the sweetest things. I live in a part of town were you see tons of dogs raised for fighting and it breaks my heart. Once I get a place of my own I'm adopting one, they are such good dogs.

[angiekay]

Originally Posted by Heady

I would LOVE to see them Angie! I don't think I have, yet. Toward the bottom of the forum, there's an "Other" section...maybe you can post them in there?

I figured it out, I just made a new personal album, you'll have to view them from my profile. I have to get some up of the chihaha too, I don't have them on this pc.

[Heady]

Originally Posted by angiekay

I figured it out, I just made a new personal album, you'll have to view them from my profile. I have to get some up of the chihaha too, I don't have them on this pc.

Can we keep pictures of our other pets in our profile?! YAY!! *running to look at Angie's bebes*

[angiekay]

Originally Posted by Heady

Can we keep pictures of our other pets in our profile?! YAY!! *running to look at Angie's bebes*

Yea, you can add albums for your "other" furry babies, but they won't show in the "photo galleries" I think? Just from your profile I guess?

[Heady]

Originally Posted by angiekay

Yea, you can add albums for your "other" furry babies, but they won't show in the "photo galleries" I think? Just from your profile I guess?

Ah! That makes sense! I really do love the pictures you posted...Patches and Brawtus (sp?) are beautiful pits!

I wish I had a house...a really, really big house...perhaps a farm. And I would love to have pits to snuggle with.