Bully For You!

The Ezine for Pit Bull Lovers

October 2010 Volume 7

In This Issue:

Paws-i-tive Press: Pit Bull Awareness Day, Patches and Kai, The Lost Dogs
What's New at The Proper Pit Bull
Feature Article: Have a Safe and Happy Howl-o-ween
Quote of the Month

From Me to You

Thanks to everyone for your patience about this later-than-usual issue of Bully for You!. Preparations for the first annual Proper Pit Bull Howl-o-ween Costume Contest took longer than I realized they would. The competition is already heating up. But, you've still got until midnight October 22nd to enter. We've got some wonderful prize packages and you and your pittie could be one of three prize winners. Be sure to get your entry in before the deadline!

Paws-i-tive Press

National Pit Bull Awareness Day is October 23rd! Find out about events in your area or start your own.

Last month, I shared the story of Patches and Kai and my friend Jill's attempt to raise money for them. Well, thanks to the generosity of a number of folks (including some of you) Jill actually exceeded her goal. Read all about the happy ending and successful outcome of Jill's project.

National Public Radio's Fresh Air interviewed Jim Gorant, Senior Editor of Sports Illustrated magazine and author of The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption . Listen to the story.

What's New at The Proper Pit Bull

Ok, first our BIG event: The Proper Pit Bull Howl-o-ween Costume Contest. It's easy and fun to enter and like most everything else on the website, it's absolutely free. We have some amazing prizes from The Pit Bull Princess, Unbreakoball and Blocky Dogs! There's plenty of time for you to get in on the fun too. Click on over to the main contest page to get started. Just to get you into the spirit of things, here are a few of the entries we've received thus far:

The Jail Break Artist
Candy The Lady Bug
Turner-saurus
The Pit-Mummy

Well, those are just a few of the entries. To see them all, head on over here. Remember the deadline for entries is October 22 at midnight. The winners will be decided by popular vote. The official voting ballot will be available from October 23rd - October 27th on the main contest page. (But not until then.) Be sure to vote and tell your family and friends to vote too!

Readers react to. . .

The Lost Dogs. . .by Jim Gorant

Your Questions Answered About. . .

Five year old female pit bull suddenly becoming aggressive
Pit bull is afraid of people
My pit bull is afraid of storms
My pit bull is over protective

Feature Article: Have a Safe and Happy Howl-o-ween

While Halloween can be a lot of fun for adults and kids, a little extra planning can ensure the canine members of the household have a good time too. There is probably no other time of year when your pit bull is likely to encounter so many strange looking (and in some cases, strange acting) people. Think about this from a dog's point of view. And decide, in advance, how much exposure your dog should have.

This will depend on your dog's disposition to novel situations (like people in costume), the amount of soicalization they've had and their obedience skills. To be a happy camper as a greeter of guests or trick-or-treaters, your dog should be highly social and have a solid sit-stay or down-stay in front of an open door with people at the threshold or crossing over the threshold. And, of course, there can be no jumping on people.

If you don't feel your dog is ready for prime time Halloween, fix up his crate with toys, puzzles, blankets, etc. He may enjoy watching the festivities from the sidelines without being in the midst of it all. Then again, if your pittie is shy around strangers or not a fan of squealing children, she may be happier having her toys and blankets in a quiet area of your home away from the center of activity. Even the most social of dogs may appreciate a refuge if the commotion gets to be too much.

Some pibbles are real hams. They love the extra attention wearing a costume garners and they don't seem to mind wearing one. Others positively hate wearing anything. Still others will compromise by sporting a festive piece of neckwear. Let your dog's comfort be your guide. If your dog does wear a costume, be sure it doesn't have any dangling pieces your dog might chew or swallow. And, check to see that the costume doesn't hamper his vision, cover his nose or interfere with his ability to walk normally.

If your pit bull goes out with you for trick or treating, keep her on a leash. And, please don't leave your dog outside in your yard unsupervised. Sadly, Halloween is a time when pets are more likely to be stolen or teased (or worse). Keep your pittie safe. Know where she is at all times.

Some people may want to offer your dog treats. One way to handle this is to accept them on behalf of your dog and then inspect them later. Don't give your dog anything you're unsure about. Chocolate can be lethal to dogs. So, can xylitol--a sweetner that is used in a lot of candies nowadays. On the whole, I think it's best to stick with regular dog treats or ones you've made yourself.

Coming Next Month: Here's to Your Pit Bull's Health

Quote of the Month

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." ~Ghandi

and

"Vick showed the worst of us, our bloodlust, but this showed the best. I don't think any of us thought it was possible — the government, the rescuers, the people involved. We like to think we have life figured out, and it's nice that it can still surprise us, that sometimes we can accomplish things we had only dreamed of. We've moved our evolution forward. Just a little bit, but we have, and I'm happy to have been a part of that."
~Jim Gorant quoting Donna Reynolds of BAD RAP about the rescue and rehabilitation of the Vick dogs.

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