Saturday, January 17, 2009

More Positive Press

Animal Planet and Drs. Foster and Smith are helping to dispel the continued myths around Pit Bulls. Kudos to both of them!!

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/no-halfway-house-needed-for,681253.shtml

ATLANTA, GA -- 01/15/09 -- Regretfully, breeds like the American Pit Bull Terrier, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Doberman and even the ever loved and faithful St. Bernard are all classified as aggressive.
The very qualities that make these dogs outstanding companion dogs -- intelligence, loyalty, courage and trainability is how Michael Vick and 20,000-40,000 others abuse their strength and power in the multibillion-dollar dog fighting industry. "There is absolutely no true concept of sport in inflicting pain on those who only know how to love unconditionally," said Wanda Goldberg, host of "Faithful Friends" on Animal Planet. "Be a voice for those without, abuse stops here, it stops now."
The "Faithful Friends" television show, together with Host Wanda Goldberg and Dr. Marty Smith of Doctors Foster and Smith Pet Supplies take on this controversial topic this Saturday on Animal Planet at 9:00 am. The show reminds pet parents that it is who is at the end of the leash that makes the difference in the dog's life, not the dog's breeding.
At the turn of the 20th Century, the American Pit Bull Terrier was the #1 family dog in the United States and Petey, a Pit Bull Terrier, was the de facto "babysitter" of the kids on the "Our Gang" TV show. Today, they achieve the fourth highest passing rate of all 122 breeds tested with an 82.5% that took a temperament test vs. 77% of all breeds on average. But, it is the owners at the end of the leash that turned a lover into a fighter. In the US, dog-fighting is considered a felony in every state except Wyoming and Idaho.
"Don't tell me that there are mean, vicious breeds, I won't listen to it," stated Dr. Marty Smith, who added, "today, most every one of the Michael Vick dogs are living enjoyable and productive lives due to compassionate new owners who have dedicated their time and energy to rehabilitate these loving dogs." As Michael Vick prepares to be released to a halfway house on January 20th, 52 of his 53 dogs live in loving homes throughout America. And Leo, one of the dogs rescued from Michael Vick's Bad Newz Kennels, after spending five weeks being trained and rehabbed by California trainer Marthina McClay, is now a therapy dog at the Camino Infusion Center, where he brings comfort to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The first episode of 2009 "Misunderstood Friends" on Animal Planet airs this Saturday at 9:00 am, and it takes on this controversial issue of breeds that are considered vicious by insurance companies and consumers in general. "This was one of the most positive shows I have seen in over 40 years of working with this breed," says Joe Burford, the President and Director of the Salt Lake Pit Bull Terrier Association.
Chuck, a dog deemed un-adoptable from the Bad Newz Kennels, is featured on the "Faithful Friends" television show this Saturday with its new owner, Warren Anderson, together with Joan Salmon the Executive Director/Founder of the Georgia SPCA. During the show, Joan and Warren discuss the dog-fighting world, the patience needed for rehabilitation and the unconditional love that is now received by owners of once considered unacceptable dogs.
"This week viewers of the Misunderstood episode will see why dogs like Chuck won a Medal of Honor in World War I," stated Tony Loiacono, Creator & Executive Producer of "Faithful Friends." "Unconditional love is often not found in our world, but through man's best friend it is a regular occurrence when a true friend is on both ends of the leash."
About Doctors Foster and Smith:
Doctors Foster and Smith, a privately owned company, is the #1 catalog and online seller of pet supplies and pharmaceuticals in the industry. Doctors Foster and Smith is known for empowering pet owners by providing extensive veterinarian-supported advice, proprietary information and quality pet products, serving millions of pet owners from coast to coast via their extensive website and publications, and the television series "Faithful Friends presented by Drs. Foster and Smith Pet Supplies" on Animal Planet as produced by Heads & Tails, Inc. Dr. Race Foster and Dr. Marty Smith have become the nation's foremost authorities on pet wellness, pet care and pet-owner education, earning an unmatched reputation for the scope of their veterinary expertise on dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, pond life, small animals and equine. For more information, visit:
Full Press Release
http://www.faithfulfriends.tv/vickdogs
http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com
http://www.faithfulfriends.tv
http://www.animalplanet.com/peteducation
http://www.peteducation.com
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4 comments:

  1. Good to see more positive stories coming out.
    It`s odd that the more positive stories that come out, the more negative some of the so called "supporters" get.
    Why can`t the Pit Bull people come together and quit putting each other down albeit in a passive aggressive way.
    It looks very bad to "outsiders" who don`t own the dogs but love them and to people who are just looking for more reasons to hate these dogs.
    I wish people would just let good stories be good stories.
    People aren`t always perfect but they`re allowed to live and love.
    Perhaps all rescued dogs aren`t the picture of perfection but does that mean they are less deserving of life or love?

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  2. Very good points P.P.!!!

    This really does give folks a reason to not like Pit Bulls and disrespect owners and supporters. I don't get it.

    Things are so much better over all in the media arena though which is very helpful for the breed.....nice!
    Marthina

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  3. The more you say it the greater the chance it will sink in. This breed needs all the positive press it can get. The sad part is when the public finally embraces the American Pit Bull Terrier they'll find another breed to malign. I'd put my new grandson next to my Pit Bull before I'd put him near a Dachshund or other small fear biter!

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  4. I agree - I think the public perception of these breeds has been colored by poor reporting and bad press. Thanks for injecting some logic into the argument - it is much needed!
    http://valuepetsupplies.com

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