Natalie


05
Mar 2015
The Blurred Reality of Pit Bulls

I am not proud to admit that I bought into the frenzy. I read stories about how pit bulls attacked people and that they were inherently dangerous. I knew they were the types of breeds most often used in dog fighting. If I ever went to the humane society, I never went down the aisles in the far back corner, where it seemed they only held the most vicious of dogs. However, when I thought that pit bulls were vicious, evil dogs, with large powerful jaws that could snap at me any......

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29
Jan 2015
5 Months Later...

A couple days before Nate and I adopted Sierra, John told us to wait to buy her a collar to ensure we got one that fit her correctly. So, when the papers were signed, and we hopped into the car after a successful Priceless Pets Sunday hike, we decided to take the newly christened Sierra (previously known as Cherry) to PetsMart. The collar Sierra had on was much too big for her – she has an unusually small neck in proportion to her head and body – so we were careful to......

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03
Nov 2014
Maggie’s Story

I decided to do a little something different this week and dedicate this blog to cats! Some of you may or may not know, but along with Sierra, I also have two cats, and they are the silliest, sweetest, cutest kitties ever. My journey to Sierra begins with cats, so I feel like it is only fitting that I write about it. So, without further ado, here is my cat story… I have always liked cats ever since I was a little girl. I was lucky to grow up and form bonds......

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24
Oct 2014
It Begins with Me and Ends with Sierra

After adopting Sierra, I learned many new things about myself. I learned that I could be patient if I tried (for the most part). I learned that I could be protective (some would even say maternal – not me though). I learned that even after a long, tiring day, I could still muster up the energy to play with my loving, excited dog who always greets me at the door with her tail wagging and a (cat) toy in her mouth. It’s crazy to think of how easily Nate and I fell......

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03
Oct 2014
What It Means to Adopt a Rescue Dog

No, they’re not perfect. Or grateful, friendly or even housetrained. They won’t cuddle with you in the middle of the night or hang out with you on the couch. They don’t know the words “play,” “treat” or “walk,” or what it means to have a bounty of toys to choose from. They don’t know that the backyard is a place for them to run around in and that bath time means they stay cleaned. They don’t understand that going inside the house is a good thing, and that following you around like......

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29
Sep 2014
Dear John,

John has a tradition of writing a letter to his fosters once they leave his house, and while I’m not sending him off to his forever home (he already has a pretty awesome pack!), I thought that writing a letter would be applicable to him, considering what has happened this month. So without further ado, here is my letter to John. Dear John, September has been a very tough and long month for you, and I know that you’re probably struggling with many heartbreaking emotions that most people rarely, if ever, experience.......

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19
Sep 2014
You Can’t Choose Your Family, but You Can Choose to Support Them

No matter what happens in your life, your family will always be there, whether you want them to or not. Even when they don’t support you or you’re fighting with them or you do something they don’t approve of – you can’t get rid of family. The point I’m trying to make with this is that my family members had a choice. They could choose to support my involvement with a misrepresented breed or they could start citing off “facts” about how many people pit bulls have mauled or killed. When I......

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05
Sep 2014
Dog Training 101: Crate Training

I have not been able to go over to John’s house this week at all, mainly because I’ve been very busy, and he seems to have his hands full as well. However, despite this, he has given me some great pointers as a new dog owner that I would like to share with you through a series of blogs. I mentioned in my last post, Sierra is scared of everything. She is unsure about people, new places, loud noises, stairs…pretty much anything (except dogs; she doesn’t seem to mind dogs). Nate and......

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29
Aug 2014
Ignorance is Not Bliss

“Pit bulls are horrendous dogs.” “If you get a pit bull, my kids will never come to your house.” “There’s no trusting pit bulls. They were bred to kill.” “You’re brave for wanting to be around pit bulls; I will always be scared of them.” Life is built through a series of choices. For instance: I chose to give pit bulls a chance to show me what kind of dogs they really are. I chose to participate in the Priceless Pets Pack Walk in June with my boyfriend. I chose to walk......

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21
Aug 2014
Many Lessons Learned

There are many lessons I’ve learned that I still need to write about, but one of my biggest milestones happened to me this past weekend, so I would like to write about that. On Saturday, my boyfriend and I took Elvis on a hike close to Mt. Baldy – without John. Although John assured me that he trusted me, I wasn’t sure I trusted myself. What if something went wrong? What if Elvis ran away? I knew Elvis would never attack anyone, but what if another dog attacked him? These thoughts ran......

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07
Aug 2014
Why Do You Want to Learn More About Dogs?

The first thing John asked me when I met him was: “Why do you want to learn more about dogs?” The first thought that went through my head when he asked that was, “What, am I on a freaking interview??” The second thought that crossed my mind was, “He’s going to ask me that when I’m offering to help him with his fosters?!” Needless to say, the question caught me by surprise. But it shouldn’t have. In fact, every person who ever wants to interact with animals should be required to answer......

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31
Jul 2014
Love Me Tender

I am a huge Beatles fan, so when John started going with that theme with his fosters and on his blog, I was thrilled. However, despite that, I have to admit that the biggest impact in my experiences so far has not been because of the Fab Four, but instead the “King of Rock & Roll,” or rather the “King of the Pouty Face” – Elvis. The first time I went over to John’s house to meet him, Penny and Elvis (as well as his fosters, Wally and Lucy), I was nervous......

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24
Jul 2014
Break the Negative Stereotypes! - Welcome Natalie, Our New Guest Blogger!

My sole purpose for starting this website was to break the negative stereotypes and show people the REAL side of the “pit bull”. When my childhood friend, Stephanie, asked me if one of her friends could come meet Penny and Elvis I had no idea what it would turn into. Without giving too much away, she basically comes over a few mornings a week (before work) to learn everything she can about the dogs. When she asked if she could be an ongoing guest blogger, I was ecstatic. Plus, about a week......

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