Kirby's Journey: The first leg

Tough Love is not a large rescue. But our volunteers all put in far more than requested of them and they do with with grace, efficiency and passion. So, we make it work. When my volunteer Ashley sent me the photo of Kirby, I knew we would find a way to help him. I didn't care what it took or what it cost. 


This was the right decision. 


Immediately, people flooded in to help Kirby live. He has been with us less than 24 hours and already has touched countless lives. I received the following email from Kirby's transport, Jamie, and she has given me permission to share her experience helping Kirby. Kirby's story is about a dog. But it also is about the people with whom he interacts. I hope sharing their moments with you will make an impact. 


Hello Gemma:

I just wanted to say Thank You for allowing me to be a part of such a eye opening experience.  My birthday is on Sunday and I wanted to do something that I have never done before and that would make a difference.  When I logged into Facebook Thursday night and saw Kirby I was drawn to his picture and knew in my heart I had to help.  My husbands initial reaction when I woke him up was NO.  But I was determined and told him "fine, I'll make the drive myself".  He knew I would not take no for an answer so he was on board very shortly after that and that is when I committed to you that I would help. 

My pets are rescues but they were abandoned at the dog park so I did not have to go far to pick them up.  I have never been to a pound or animal control before.  I only saw that on television.  

When we were waiting in the front to speak with someone we could hear all the dog barks for help and it was heartbreaking then and my husband put his hand on my shoulder and told me to brace myself.  The woman up front thought that it was nice he was already named and she said dogs in his condition do not walk in and she was amazed that Kirby walked in.  

We got the paperwork and was told to drive around the back.  The woman at the front walked out with us and took a deep breath and said "wow, we are burning paper today".  When we drove around back we decided to wait in the parking lot right next to the building.  I certainly did not want to go in and see all the other animals we could not help.  We could hear more yelps for help and I wished that I could rescue them all.  I looked and saw the contraption they were "burning paper" in and noticed a wheel barrel next to it with filled black garbage bags in it.  I whispered to my husband "That doesn't look like paper to me".  He whispered back "I know, it's not".  

Then she came out with Kirby.  She carried him because he was so tired from eating that she did not want him to walk.  My husband swept him our of her arms and turned him to me.  He lifted his head and I knew then he was a fighter.  I rubbed his head and started to cry.  We got him in the car and when I sat down in the front seat I began to bawl.  It was amazing and heartbreaking all at the same time that this animal was alive.  I was so taken aback that this live animal in such horrible condition wanted to be next to us wanted to move around and it was obvious he had not given up.  The entire experience was surreal.  

Kirby immediately after leaving the shelter 

The vet was so nice and they gave him extra treats.  All his skin and bones added up to a pathetic 27.8 lbs. but Kirby is not pathetic, he is a walking miracle.  At the vet, he got cleaned up a bit around the rear end, ticks removed, nails trimmed, water under the skin, he walked out of the vet on his own and got right back into the car where he began his final leg of the journey to his foster home.  He did not want me to stop petting his head but I finally got him to relax and he slept for the next hour.  

Kirby finally falls asleep

When we passed him off to Phil, my husband woke Kirby up and scooped him up from the back seat.  As he was bringing him to Phil's truck he was wagging his tail again.  I have no doubt that we will be getting updates of Kirby as he puts weight on and gets the life back into him.  He is a fighter and I am very glad that I was a part of his second chance.  I know you will find a great home for him once he gets healthy.  I know that his wonderful personality will only shine more once he is better.  I have a great feeling about this little pup and I want you to let his forever owners know about his journey. This is a very special dog.  

This experience was very emotionally taxing on me but one I will never forget.  I am sure I will be able to help in the future and when I am able to I will let you know.  Keep up the great work Gemma.  You are making a difference one awesome pup at a time! :) 

Kill all the Pit Bulls: How to Deal with Antagonism as a Breed Advocate

One of my wonderful new volunteers, Nicole, related the following story to me today:

It was at lunch today.  I wasn't eating (we had a meeting where they fed us a big breakfast) and I was on my phone texting you, look at my messages on FB, and thinking about the Roxie situation in general.  My close friend,who knows me well, asked me if I was doing dog stuff.  I said yes, and when she asked about it I started telling the story of Roxie and how I could possibly be transporting her this weekend.  They called me crazy, in a teasing but nice way, and then we continued talking until my coworker, Lindsey, asked me what type of dog she was.  I responded with pit mix and she replied, "Oh they can put her down.  I don't care about pit bulls."  I must of had a stunned look on my face because then she proceeded to explain that her dog was attacked by a pit bull, who was owned by someone she knew who was then in jail.  I told her I was very sorry about that, but that it was one dog and it was safe to say that the owner probably wasn't quality.  I tried to express my opinion that it is more "bad owners" than bad dogs but I was pretty much drowned out by a chorus of pit bull related horror stories and reasons why none of them would ever have a pit bull.  I tried to explain my opinions on the stereotypes and misinformation regarding the breed, but at that point I was so upset and flustered that I ended up just leaving the room.  

Obviously, for a pit bull advocate, especially a new one, such remarks can sting (I suppose they always sting) and it can be difficult to figure out how to proceed in a controlled, professional manner. I talk to a lot of people about pit bull type dogs and for the most part I've met with receptive audiences. Here are a few simple steps to help you stay on track as an advocate. 

1. Be educated. Know the key arguments against pit bull type dogs and know the facts that shut down these arguments. Make sure your facts come from reliable sources. Prepare simple, concise statements that summarize these facts. Don't spout out things you haven't fact-checked, even if it means you don't "win" on every point. Many points are red herrings anyway. Offer to provide additional information, and then hold true to your offer.

Real life example: Comment - Studies have shown that pit bulls are much more likely to attack a person than any other breed. Answer - Please get me the names of those studies. To my knowledge, no reliable dog bite statistics exist, and the studies that claim to make determinations on pit bull aggressiveness are based on media reports and are not scientific or authoritative. In fact, the authors of the most prominent dog bite study available have clearly stated that their data is incomplete and that it should not be used to extrapolate any conclusions about the temperament of any breed nor should it be used to pass any breed discriminatory legislation. Reliable research on canine temperament consistently demonstrates that pit bull type dogs score high on temperament tests and are less likely to aggress toward humans than many popular breeds. 

2. Be authoritative. If someone is wrong, then they're wrong, and you have a right to correct them unequivocally. Be firm without being a jerk. 

Real life example: Comment - well, pit bulls have locking jaws. Answer - No, they don't. Pit bulls are mammals, and no mammal has a jaw with the ability to lock. Pit bull jaw structure has been studied and was found to be exactly the same as all other dog breeds.

3. Don't diss. Positive pit bull research is abundant, so there is no reason to insult other dog breeds or other people, even if they do it first. Advocates present facts (and perhaps conclusions based on those facts); they do not attack dissenters. 

Real life example: Comment -- Pit bulls are the ugliest breed of dog and I don't know why anyone would want one. Wrong Answer -- Look at pugs with those bulging eyes, or Cocker Spaniels with those stupid ears! Right Answer -- Hey, you don't have to own a pit bull or even like pit bulls; I respect that. But physical appearance has nothing to do with a dog's temperament. 

4. Don't yell. Keep your emotions under control. Anti-pit bull people like the term "pit bull nutters" to describe advocates. Do not give any teeth to that designation. Yelling won't win you followers but it will ensure that open-minded people will take you less seriously. 

Real life example: I've been called all sorts of terrible names by people who are raving. I just present the facts, then stand back and let them discredit themselves with their ranting (it nearly always works). I look that much more credible in comparison. 

5. Walk away. You can't win every battle. And some folks are just too stubborn to change. Don't waste your time on those people. There's a reason extreme views are called "extreme"; most folks are moderate and open to good information. Spend your time discussing issues with that large group. As long as we have the majority on our side, we're winning. 

6. Have support. Pit bull advocacy can be trying, lonely work. Make sure you have a network of friends, family, and peers who you can turn to for consolation, affirmation, or vent(ilation). 

Real life example: My family and friends are always willing to lend an ear. I also have made connections across the country with fellow pit bull advocates and I discuss issues with them regularly. 

Foster Mom Christina tells Duke's Story

One Friday night, Brian was headed out to pick up some takeout. A few seconds after he walked out the door I got a phone call saying, "Honey, there's a dog outside the house." I went out front and there was Duke lapping up sprinkler water in our front yard. He was skinny, didn't have a collar, and had a patch of fur scratched off his face. We fed him and brought him into our backyard and he perked up right away. 

Duke, soon after we rescued him 

Duke is all puppy - he'll sleep for a few hours then want to play. He loves to run around with other dogs - one of his favorites is a young female across the street. They will run around together as long as you let them. He loves rawhide bones, dental bones, stuffed animals, floppy toys that he can shake around, and pretty much anything that makes noise - including empty water bottles and soda cans! He likes tug-of-war, but hasn't figured out how to fetch yet. He loves to play in the sprinklers, but is not a big fan of baths! 

Duke and Duchess with Christina

Since he has been in our house we have taught him to sit on command and how to walk on a leash. He has also gotten all his vaccinations and been neutered. He still needs help learning more doggie manners since he's just a big rambunctious pup. He's a quick learner though!Duke is a big lover. He loves to sit in laps and will climb into bed with you if you let him. He gives lots of kisses - especially on faces and toes.

Some of Duke's famous kisses!

Duke also knows how to use his doggie door to go potty and he is crate trained. We put him in his crate when we aren't home and at night. The only time that he fusses in his crate is if he hasn't gotten enough attention during the day or he has to potty.

I think Duke would do well either as the only pet or in a household with other animals. He is not dog aggressive and loves to play. Ultimately the most important thing to me is that he find a forever home with a family that will give him lots of love! I think his sweet face and disposition would be a positive addition to any home.

Duke today! Still looking for that perfect forever home!

Director Story: Gemma

Those who know me know I don't have a pit bull of my own, so it may seem strange that I founded and run a pit bull rescue. I never really intended to start rescuing pit bulls; like so many of my great fellow advocates, I fell into the breed by accident. I never had any loathing for the breed -- I just never had any convictions. I liked dobermans and rottweilers. I don't have any of those, either. My dogs tend to find me, so it's not really a surprise that pit bulls found me too.

My first breed contact came from a pit bull-American Bulldog mix puppy my sister and her boyfriend procured from a person selling puppies on the side of the road. Scrappy fell ill with parvo almost immediately, and my sister diligently nursed him back to health from the brink of death. Scrappy was a very sweet and loving dog, and he put up with a lot of my sister's kissing, squishing, and fussing, which, believe me, says a lot about a dog's tolerance level! I liked Scrappy, Scrappy was a pit bull, thus, in my mind, pit bulls were a pretty decent breed of dog.

My sister Julia and Scrappy. 

When I started looking for volunteer work in Tucson, I contacted a few dog rescues, including a local pit bull rescue. The only rescue that contacted me back was Arizona Poodle Rescue, so for years I fostered and rehabilitated poodles, eventually adopting my own Standard Poodle -- a 5-month-old male who came from a breeder neglect situation and had severe emotional hurdles to overcome. I love the breed, and I loved the people with whom I worked, but my many visits to the county shelter illuminated the real need for people willing to rescue the dogs off the nightly kill list we rescuers were sent each day.

So in 2008 I founded Revamped Rovers, with the idea of taking only dogs that were going to be put down within the next 24 hours. What I got were pit bulls. Oodles of pit bulls. These dogs were all young, friendly, and adaptable; they had just run out of time. Before I knew it, I had three pit bulls and three resident dogs living in my home (Yes, peacefully). What I discovered from these first three dogs were three distinct, wonderful personalities, with one trait in common: Rain (now Sunshine) loved to snuggle, was active and bouncy, and a very quick learner; Meg (now Maggie) also loved to snuggle, was quiet and obedient, and loved all animals -- large and small; Mya (now Brendi) was spunky, feisty, and -- oh yeah -- loved to cuddle.

Meg, my all-time favorite foster 

Now, the sight or mention of a pit bull may strike terror into the hearts of some people -- and I respect that...you are afraid of what you're afraid of, although I do encourage folks to open their minds before making decisions. But a pit bull to me is a ball of snuggles and kisses and tail wags. I've just never met an exception, and this is the original breed description. Pit bulls are a breed bred to adore people, and most of them excel at this.

Somewhere in between volunteering with poodle rescue and founding my own program, I realized that pit bulls had a horrible, undeserved reputation. I started researching and found that the claims offered against the breed were baseless, exaggerated, and sensationalized. It was the moment I realized that these dogs needed a voice that I committed myself to being that voice. For the past three years I've been a champion for the breed. In 2011 I changed the name of the rescue to Tough Love Pit Bull Rescue to better represent the causes for which I advocate. Now, I know dogs bite. I know some dogs injure human beings and other dogs. But I stand by my belief that every dog deserves the chance to be treated as an individual. Every dog deserves a real second chance.

So I will work every day. I will spend my own money. I will write letters, articles, and books on behalf of these dogs. We've all made mistakes. We've all needed to start over. We've all been judged too swiftly. I am hardly the exception. So I urge people to seek their hearts and lend the compassion they'd hope be lent to them to these dogs. I believe my life experiences with dogs led me to do what I do. It isn't easy every day, and some moments are downright gut-wrenching. But I will continue to rescue and advocate for pit bulls every single day until I'm too old and feeble to press on. And I only hope I can inspire others to carry on when I'm gone.

Ted, Jade, Dylan, and I on our way from Louisiana to Seattle.