Sometimes I think about the new playground materials (the recycled tires the children are now romping over), why not just hire all the bully owners and give them a lifetime supply of kongs and consider the job done!

Stuffed Animals- 3 minutes (For those of you who don’t mind cleaning up slobbery cotton stuffing, try your local thrift store for cheap, dispensable, short-term entertainment for Fido.)

Fuzzy Wuzzy was decapitated!

Tennis balls- 7 miuntes (For those of you who don’t mind cleaning up the tiny pieces of green fuzz and rubber try scavenging your local tennis court for lost free treasures. I found an entire grocery bag full of brand new balls once!)

Bye bye ball! Ross is still avail-a-bull for adoption at itsthepits.org

Kong- 30 minutes

"You may put up a good fight, but in the end I will succeed."

Extreme Kong- 45 minutes

Rope toys- How much does a new vacuum cost?

"Don't blame us, it was the cats fault!"

Through my numerous years of pit bull ownership and rescue volunteering I have been ask time and time again, “My dog tears through toys that claim to be indestructible. What can I give my pit that they won’t destroy in 20 minutes?”

Well I have finally found the answer thanks to Brie and her daddy John.

Chuckit! Ultra Ball Dog Toy

• Designed for the most demanding use, this is no ordinary ball
• Simply put, this is the best ball for the game of fetch
• Developed to have high bounce, high buoyancy, high visibility, and high durability, the value of the Ultra Ball is easily recognized by dog owners
• The Chuckit! Ultra Ball promises to outplay the ordinary
• Compatible with Chuckit! Dog Toy Launcher

No where does it claim to be indestructible however this is the only item I have found that our furkids cannot rip to shreds in minutes flat. Look for these orange globes of answered prayers at your local Petco.

Happy chewing!

"Why haven't I been able to get through this thing? Fine I'll just nap instead!"

Courtesy of Kristin ‘Porter’ Antal on October 12, 2010.

10. They will steal your spot on the couch while you’re up to grab a soda.

 

Ok it's not a couch but that still doesn't excuse the fact that she stole my spot! Anna is available for adoption through itsthepits.org.

9. They will take a treat you give them and bury it in the back yard like a paranoid crackhead hiding their stash.

8. They will will run in circles at a 100 miles a minute with muddy feet on your bed, causing you to do laundry… again!

7. They will lick visitors uncontrollably with a passion only they understand.

Cutie Pie attempting to make out with volunteer Andy. Cutie Pie is available for adoption through itsthepits.org.

6. Their smiles are infectious, there are few things sweeter in life than a pit bull grinning from ear to ear.

SAY CHEESE! Spunky has been placed in his forever home. Photo courtesy of Colleen Caracas.

5. They will make you feel like a horrible parent for not walking them right now at this very moment, just by looking at you with deep sad eyes.

4. They have no regard for bedtime etiquette and will use all four legs to push you to the edge of the bed while they snore soundly in oblivion.

This looks like heaven to me!

 

3. They will cause wide spread happiness in large group settings.

2. They will crack you up by shaking their butts so hard you would think they were going to snap in half.

And the # 1 reason not to trust a vicious pit bull:

They will steal your heart life a thief in the night, showing you complete and pure love only a pit bull can show.

Desani loving up on volunteer Andy. Desani is now in her forever home.

This post is in the remembrance of Udo.

May you rest in peace and no longer feel any pain. You will be dearly missed. May we meet you in heaven.

 

Union Tribune Pet Expo at Del Mar Fairgrounds. Click HERE for full details and to rsvp through our facebook.

Let us wash your dog for a good cause.

To keep up with all upcoming events check our homepage.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for events (all over San Diego) or for dog walking (El Cajon & San Marcos) please fill out the volunteer application here.

Meet Chili a 1 year old pup . . . and what a very sweet, fun loving pup she is. She loves life and everything about it. Good with kids, small dogs and big dogs. She needs an FHO (Femoral Head Osteotomy) done now. She is in pain and is non-weight bearing as you can see in the pictures. We pulled her from being euthanized due to her needing the surgery.

We also took in Tonka who has been in the hospital since Christmas day he was rushed in with vomiting, diarrhea and he is fighting for his life. No obstruction, negative Parvo tests but whatever is attacking him acts like Parvo. Obviously, his care is VERY expensive; $100/day not including tests, medication, x-rays, ultrasounds, etc.

We have a 6 week old puppy with pneumonia and a 3 month old puppy with a prolapsed rectum (3 surgeries so far) so we are looking at A LOT of vet bills.

Please, if you can manage it, we would be so very grateful if you can help with a donation. We sure would appreciate any help you are willing to provide.

We can send out a receipt for your tax records also. We have a secure credit card donation form available on our home page so that there are no fees. We also use PayPal, our address is beth@itsthepits.org. If you prefer snail mail, the address is

P.O. Box 720008

San Diego, CA 92172-0008.

All of us at It’s The Pits thank you and wish you a very Happy New Year.

Beth Gruff, President
It’s The Pits
501(c)(3) organization

You are considering adopting or buying a dog, and one breed you are considering is a Pit Bull Terrier, or one of several breeds that are closely related to this breed. It is important that before you take any steps towards becoming an owner that you thoroughly research the breed so that you understand the challenges of owning this loyal, yet controversial breed.

99% of issues that arise with pit bulls have to do with owners who are idiots.  The truth is that this breed has many good traits. A super-dog, if you will.  And although the media focuses on the negative aspects, in reality they can be awesome pets for the smart owner.  Here are six reasons why:

1. Pit Bulls are Affectionate Companions

Pitbulls are wiggly, cuddly, affectionate dogs. If you don’t like dog kisses then consider another breed, because most pitbulls love licking.  The same goes if you have children and you don’t want them to be a regular target for face washes.

Pitbulls are not aloof – they like to remind you regularly of how they feel about you, and in general this means a lot of tail wagging and kissing.

Cutie Pie is still available for adoption through itsthepits.org

2. Generally Healthy and Easy to Care For

Yes, pit bulls require a reasonable amount of attention. They do not, however, need a lot of care. They have short coats and are normal shedders, and only need to be brushed semi-regularly.

They don’t tend toward genetic disorders like some other breeds, although they should be inspected at puppyhood for signs of hip dysplasia, but this is a good idea for most medium to large breeds anyway. Most pit bulls do not get larger than 50 to 60 pounds, although there are some larger sub-breeds.

And as long as you exercise the dog regularly, a pitbull can be very comfortable in a small dwelling.

3. People-Orientated, When Socialized Properly

Pitbulls love people. Although this breed frequently gets a bad rap in the media, if you have ever met a pitbull that was raised by a loving, conscientious family then you will understand how much they like to be with people.

The downside of this personality trait is that they can get overexcited when they meet new people, which is something that needs to be addressed through training and positive reinforcement.

Spunky is still available for adoption through itsthepits.org

4. Pit Bulls are Loyal to their Owners

Your pit bull will be you and your family’s best friend from the day you take them home to the day they pass away. While they will be naturally protective of their family and their property, because pitbulls are so people-orientated they do not make good guard dogs.

Unless you just want them to smother intruders with hugs and kisses.

Desani and her biggest fan volunteer Joy. Desani is still available for adoption through itsthepits.org.

5. Eager to Please

A pitbull will always do it’s best to make you happy, as long as you are clear about what you expect from them. Many people will mention the fact that this breed is notoriously stubborn, but once they realize that you are the boss, they will work hard to ensure that you were happy with them.

This breed can be challenging, and is not recommended for first time dog owners as you need to be comfortable and confident that you can handle the breed, otherwise they will pick upon the fact that you are less than sure of yourself.

6. High Tolerance for Pain

Sometimes presented as a negative trait, the fact that pitbulls have a high pain tolerance makes them exceptional family dogs. They easily (and happily) put up with the rough play of children without reacting. At the same time, pitbull owners may have to invest in prong collars, as the shoulder and neck strength of the pitbull means that sometimes an average collar will not do.

It is important that when considering a pitbull as a pet that you carefully screen all puppies and adult dogs to ensure that they respond positively. Dogs of any breed that show fearfulness or aggression towards people or other dogs should be avoided, particularly as a family pet, unless you are willing to put in a lot of extra time and money into behavioral training.

A rehabilitated Hunky Hercules tolerating his sister Libby.

To be a successful and responsible pitbull owner you need to at all times have your pet under control. Dogs should never be left unsupervised with other dogs or children, and should never be allowed to roam off leash except in controlled dog-friendly spaces. Remember that as a pitbull owner you are charged with showing the positive side of this breed, so make sure that you always have a friendly and well behaved pet.

*It’s The Pits may not agree with every opinion shared by PitBulls.org. We still felt compelled to share this amazing article.

Although we could not have adopt-a-bulls at the tent we handed out fliers,  took donations, and educated the community about pit bulls and our organization. Some of the volunteers were nice enough to take a couple of our boarded dogs for a walk to the event to see the festivities.

 

Volunteer Mike and It's The Pits adoptable Rocky

 

Our set up at the Cajon Classic Cruise on Main Street

Volunteer Melina and her father Pete

Volunteer Melina and Volunteer/Foster Extraordinaire Laura all dressed up

Chick got to go for a walk and came to visit us during the event.

Chick showing us her good side... although both sides are perfection. She is available for adoption through itsthepits.org.

Volunteers Laura, Melina and Joy looked stunning in the classic attire.

Although it was a slow night we were seen by many, hopefully people listened and we started some buzz. Either way we all had a blast.

Thank you Luigi for assisting us in spreading the word of fostering so eloquently!

By Luigi Aero on Friday, September 24, 2010.

Most dog lovers know about the often horrid conditions of puppy mills, the unregulated breeding facilities owned by disreputable breeders. Dogs are often bred far too frequently, are kept cramped together in squalor, and are not socialized with humans. In addition, these breeders do not care about the health and strength of the breed, which often results in genetic illnesses, poor health in general and unlikable personality traits. But many of these same dog aficionados, who have t-shirts and bumper stickers denouncing puppy mills, don’t know that most puppies sold at pet stores come from there.

There are some pet stores that buy their puppies from commercial kennels regulated by the Department of Agriculture. However, even these pups tend to be unhealthy and unsocialized. This is partly due to the fact that commercial kennels tend to breed many different breeds in one facility and they breed for quantity, not quality. Therefore, their interest does not lie in the healthy promotion of a certain breed but rather in how many sales they can get. So, before you buy that cute puppy in the window, consider the downsides of pet store pups:

10 Reasons Not to Buy From a Pet Store

1. Bad Health: Because so many pet store pups come from puppy mills, they are not the result of careful breeding and they are usually not well cared for before coming to the store. Some common illnesses and conditions are neurological problems, eye problems, hip dysplasia, blood disorders and Canine Parvovirus.

2. Behavioral Problems: Because breeding is indiscriminate, behavioral problems are not weeded out generationally. You’ll also find that a pet store’s staff is not likely to have any training in dealing with behavior issues so the puppies continue to do the wrong things, which become habit.

3. No Socialization: Pet stores pups are often pulled away from their litter at far too young an age, often at only four or five weeks. The earliest a puppy should be separated from his pack is eight weeks and most reputable breeders will say at least 10 weeks. This lack of time socializing with his siblings means that puppy will not develop important canine skills. Likewise, a puppy who has not been handled by people from about three weeks will not naturally socialize well with them.

4. The Downfall of the Standard: In a broad sense, purchasing a puppy from a pet store and then breeding her means you are ruining the standard of that breed because the previous breeders were not concerned with it.

5. Lack of Information: A member of a pet store staff is not an expert on a breed and often not on dogs in general. Purchasing a puppy from a store means you will not get the lowdown on that breed or likely help with any behavioral or other questions.

6. Return at Your Puppy’s Peril: Most pet stores do offer a warranty of sorts where you can bring the puppy back if he has problems. They don’t tend to tell customers that the puppy’s fate, once returned, is usually euthanization.

7. Housebreaking is a Chore: Pet store puppies have spent all their short lives in cages. They do not have the opportunity to develop the natural canine instinct of eliminating away from their food and bed. This causes problems when you try to housebreak them.

8. What You See Isn’t Necessarily What You Get: If you see what looks like a Maltese in the window, you may find, as she grows, that there’s a little Maltese in there somewhere but mostly she looks like a Terrier. There is no guarantee you will get a purebred dog if that’s what you’re after.

9. Poor Value: A puppy from a pet store generally costs between $400 and $2,000. This is often more than you’d pay at a reputable breeder who can ensure you get a healthy puppy and provide support afterward.

10. Questionable Pedigree: You’re paying for a pedigree, or AKC papers, when you buy a puppy from a pet store but it’s very likely that it’s not genuine. If the papers are genuine, it still doesn’t mean the puppy is a good example of its breed – you need a reputable breeder to prove that.

A great option is adopting a puppy. Human Societies, local animal shelters and breed rescues are all good places to look. True, you don’t have the benefit of meeting your pup’s parents but rescued puppies are thoroughly examined for any illness or condition, are socialized by staff and trained early on. Also, if you adopt a mixed puppy you will likely find he is very healthy as mutts are often healthier than purebreds.

So the next time you see that adorable puppy in the window, pause and think about the downsides of pet store pups. Buying from such a store is, in essence, supporting them and the horrible practice of puppy mills. It is also almost a sure bet that you’ll have a bad experience.

Way to make up for July Adoptions…we rocked it in August!!!

1. Preston: Foster Failure! The Mendell’s adopted Preston!

2. Hershey: Foster Failure! The Simon’s adopted Hershey!

3. Tyson: Foster Failure! The Morgan’s adopted Tyson!

4. Heather: lives with her new dad in downtown San Diego

5. Princess: lives with a very nice family including kids and cats

6. Halley: Moved to El Centro with her new family

Halley and her new family

7. Heidi: lives with her new mom who is a school teacher

8. Mia: Foster Failure!

9. Champ & Lady: went home together to a great family with lots people!

10. Bruno: lives with his new dad in North County SD

11. Roger: is moving to Maryland to be with his new family.

12. Hailey: Foster Failure! The Kile’s adopted Hailey!

13.  Casper: Foster Failure! The Karin adopted Casper!

14. Bosco: young couple just adore him. He will start running on the treadmill soon!