Post by RealPitBull on Apr 1, 2008 10:51:51 GMT -5
www.annex22.net/zine/04.01.08--PinupsforPitbullsInt.html
Pinups For Pitbulls is a wonderful concept that was started by a friend of mine, Little Darling a.k.a. Deirdre Franklin. Deirdre is a pit bull mom and a pit bull saviour. She is an angel to these dogs and to everyone else who loves them. I got a chance to ask Deirdre some questions. Here they are.
When did you starts PinUps For Pitbulls and why? What inspired you to do this?
I started Pinups for Pitbulls after visiting New Orleans to do Animal Search and Rescue following Hurricane Katrina. I was tired of saying things like "someone needs to do something about the media demonizing Pit Bulls" and then realized that someone should be me! I had all of the resources I needed at the time: a good network of people, Pin Up Friends and Photographers, and realized something had to be done.
With Breed Specific Legislation on the rise and negative media articles that seemed to be published daily, I knew it was my time to make change happen and to stop being an armchair activist.
How do you go about bringing awareness to people about this wonderful breed of dog, going past their misconceptions?
We used the angle of beautiful women to get people's attention, whereas if it was just a calendar of dogs, we might have had the attention of fellow Pit Bull lovers, we were aiming more towards the people who don't love pit bulls, or who have misconceptions around them. Pairing wonderful animal advocates who happen to be quite beautiful in heart and in person, we were able to get what we were hoping for.
By being a breed advocate, I work hard on making sure my dog's are both people and dog friendly to the best of my ability. They are well-rounded, loving, and sweet rescued dogs who both came from hardship. Being able to introduce them to people who are normally wary of the breed also helps to lift such misconceptions.
How do you feel about PETA's ban on breeding pit bulls?
I think PETA is a hypocritical, fundamentalist-style organization whose interest is not at the heart of animals, but more in their mission to be the most popular organization out there for animal "activism." I support organizations like In Defense of Animals who appreciate ALL animals, that are not selective on who gets to live and who should die. PETA is actually helping to implement breed specific bans in the US. They also go as far as to believe that no animal should be domesticated, their extremist views make more enemies than allies. It's truly a shame, they are very much the reason I am the animal advocate I am today. They were my only resource when I was 12 years old trying to figure out how to become a vegetarian and a good animal activist. It's really depressing to me to not have their energy on the right side of this issue.
Do you think breed specific breeding bans should be discontinued?
Absolutely!!! Those bans are not implemented out of concern for the welfare of animals, believe me. These bans do not work, they are a band-aid approach to dealing with a bigger problem, irresponsible dog owners. These bans punish the responsible dog owners who pay taxes and take care of their animals. They are attacking homeowners, responsible dog owners, and people who consider these dogs family. The people who don't care are the one's who will just get a non-banned breed after a ban is initiated, if they're even law abiding citizens at all. They're attacking the wrong issue. For more information, I highly recommend visiting www.realpitbull.com and www.understand-a-bull.com
What can people do themselves to help out this breed and bring awareness to others?
Educate yourself on these issues! Visit the sites listed above, they are excellent resources. Become an animal advocate, raise awareness, spread positive messages and don't argue with people. Educate. Lead by example!
You have been getting a lot of good press lately, how does that make you feel?
Awesome! It's been great to be able to be a voice for something I live and breathe and feel so passionately about. I've declared 2008 the Year of the Pit Bull! So much great press, its unheard of!
What's ahead in 2008 for Pinups For Pitbulls?
We have one more fundraiser coming up, June 14th in Alexandria, VA at Fireflies Delray Restaurant. We're hoping to have a large animal "carnival" that is both kid and dog friendly, it will include the HSUS RV of Spay/Neuters/Adoptions and several local rescues. We will also have fire performers, belly dancers, and sword swallowers. It will be an awesome event and hopefully our biggest to date!
We are putting together a foundation for Pinups for Pitbulls and are working on the next calendar. We also have been working on more t-shirt designs and other ways to make Pinups for Pitbulls stable enough to continue for years to come.
Pinups For Pitbulls is a wonderful concept that was started by a friend of mine, Little Darling a.k.a. Deirdre Franklin. Deirdre is a pit bull mom and a pit bull saviour. She is an angel to these dogs and to everyone else who loves them. I got a chance to ask Deirdre some questions. Here they are.
When did you starts PinUps For Pitbulls and why? What inspired you to do this?
I started Pinups for Pitbulls after visiting New Orleans to do Animal Search and Rescue following Hurricane Katrina. I was tired of saying things like "someone needs to do something about the media demonizing Pit Bulls" and then realized that someone should be me! I had all of the resources I needed at the time: a good network of people, Pin Up Friends and Photographers, and realized something had to be done.
With Breed Specific Legislation on the rise and negative media articles that seemed to be published daily, I knew it was my time to make change happen and to stop being an armchair activist.
How do you go about bringing awareness to people about this wonderful breed of dog, going past their misconceptions?
We used the angle of beautiful women to get people's attention, whereas if it was just a calendar of dogs, we might have had the attention of fellow Pit Bull lovers, we were aiming more towards the people who don't love pit bulls, or who have misconceptions around them. Pairing wonderful animal advocates who happen to be quite beautiful in heart and in person, we were able to get what we were hoping for.
By being a breed advocate, I work hard on making sure my dog's are both people and dog friendly to the best of my ability. They are well-rounded, loving, and sweet rescued dogs who both came from hardship. Being able to introduce them to people who are normally wary of the breed also helps to lift such misconceptions.
How do you feel about PETA's ban on breeding pit bulls?
I think PETA is a hypocritical, fundamentalist-style organization whose interest is not at the heart of animals, but more in their mission to be the most popular organization out there for animal "activism." I support organizations like In Defense of Animals who appreciate ALL animals, that are not selective on who gets to live and who should die. PETA is actually helping to implement breed specific bans in the US. They also go as far as to believe that no animal should be domesticated, their extremist views make more enemies than allies. It's truly a shame, they are very much the reason I am the animal advocate I am today. They were my only resource when I was 12 years old trying to figure out how to become a vegetarian and a good animal activist. It's really depressing to me to not have their energy on the right side of this issue.
Do you think breed specific breeding bans should be discontinued?
Absolutely!!! Those bans are not implemented out of concern for the welfare of animals, believe me. These bans do not work, they are a band-aid approach to dealing with a bigger problem, irresponsible dog owners. These bans punish the responsible dog owners who pay taxes and take care of their animals. They are attacking homeowners, responsible dog owners, and people who consider these dogs family. The people who don't care are the one's who will just get a non-banned breed after a ban is initiated, if they're even law abiding citizens at all. They're attacking the wrong issue. For more information, I highly recommend visiting www.realpitbull.com and www.understand-a-bull.com
What can people do themselves to help out this breed and bring awareness to others?
Educate yourself on these issues! Visit the sites listed above, they are excellent resources. Become an animal advocate, raise awareness, spread positive messages and don't argue with people. Educate. Lead by example!
You have been getting a lot of good press lately, how does that make you feel?
Awesome! It's been great to be able to be a voice for something I live and breathe and feel so passionately about. I've declared 2008 the Year of the Pit Bull! So much great press, its unheard of!
What's ahead in 2008 for Pinups For Pitbulls?
We have one more fundraiser coming up, June 14th in Alexandria, VA at Fireflies Delray Restaurant. We're hoping to have a large animal "carnival" that is both kid and dog friendly, it will include the HSUS RV of Spay/Neuters/Adoptions and several local rescues. We will also have fire performers, belly dancers, and sword swallowers. It will be an awesome event and hopefully our biggest to date!
We are putting together a foundation for Pinups for Pitbulls and are working on the next calendar. We also have been working on more t-shirt designs and other ways to make Pinups for Pitbulls stable enough to continue for years to come.