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Post by suziriot on Aug 10, 2011 22:28:26 GMT -5
Catherine Hedges of Don't Bully My Breed has lost her battle with cancer. She was a passionate rescuer and advocate for all animals, and a huge resource here in Illinois. I never met her in person, but I was always so impressed by her passion and dedication that came through in our online and email conversations.
I know there are a couple DBMB people here on the forum... I'm so sorry for your loss. Catherine left an amazing legacy, and she will be missed by so many.
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Post by karladbmb on Aug 10, 2011 22:56:21 GMT -5
I'm one of those people. I'm one of the "main" volunteers of DBMB and having to be strong and contact supporters/friends of Catherine after hearing the news was one of the hardest things I've had to do. Gotta be strong for everyone else. Tears come later I am in awe of the amount of condolences and love that has been pilling on the email and Facebook page. She was truly admired by many and for good reason. The full notice of her passing is on our Facebook. www.facebook.com/notes/dont-bully-my-breed-inc/with-the-heaviest-of-hearts/10150330981917442
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Post by bubsy on Aug 11, 2011 0:33:47 GMT -5
I'm so very sorry for your loss :-(
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Post by RealPitBull on Aug 11, 2011 7:25:09 GMT -5
Oh, I am so sorry to hear this! I didn't know she was sick.
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Post by catstina on Aug 11, 2011 8:25:49 GMT -5
I saw this last night. Very sad.
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Post by lovemybully76 on Aug 11, 2011 9:41:15 GMT -5
I live in Illinois, but didn't know Catherine personally. I had talked to her on the phone once and correspondened by email a few times with her though. Such a remarkable person that words cannot explain. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
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Post by karladbmb on Aug 11, 2011 12:11:52 GMT -5
Thank you for condolences. She found out she had cancer right after Katrina - she got into a car accident while driving up a vanload of "real deal" pit bulls and other dogs to Chicago, and when they x-rayed her, they found the cancer. She had beaten it back several times, but this time it came back with a vengeance.
It's still surreal to me that she's gone. I talked to her literally every day. I met her online, when I was trying to find rescue for dogs at the local kill shelter down by my school. Catherine was the only person to even respond - and although she couldn't help them personally, she networked the hell out of them and made it her mission to find them rescues. From there, it "spiraled" into me updating her Petfinder page, then helping with the website, then answering emails, to becoming the full-fledged webmaster and third-in-command in the organization.
When I made the decision to euthanize my heart dog, who was HA, she paid for the euthanasia and private cremation despite the fact that by that point, he was no longer the foster he started out as, he was *mine*. Her compassion was unparalleled.
Not to mention the fact that she was rescuing bullies before it was "cool" - before Michael Vick, before BADRAP somehow became the leaders of the pit bull (oops, I mean "type dogs") movement, and before every rescue felt the need to have a token pit bull.
Her passing left a huge hole in the bully breed world.
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Post by catstina on Aug 11, 2011 12:26:46 GMT -5
Thank you so much for your response, Karla. It is so nice to hear from someone that was close to her. I am also glad to hear that she had a mission so close to RPBs in that she cared about Pit Bulls and not "type dogs" like to many groups today. I am sorry for your (and the breed's) loss.
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Post by RealPitBull on Aug 11, 2011 12:45:52 GMT -5
Catherine sounds like she was a wonderful person. I've been on the DBMB website of course (always liked it, and the Rescue COE is up there). I'm not sure if I have ever been in contact with Catherine, although I think I may have emailed with her once. I've heard nothing but good things about DBMB. Very sorry on the loss of your friend, Karla, The Pit Bull world has certainly lost a shining light.
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Post by suziriot on Aug 11, 2011 13:59:02 GMT -5
Karla, you and everyone at DBMB are in our thoughts. Catherine will definitely live on through the work that your group will continue to do in her honor. Hugs to all of you.
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Post by melonie on Aug 11, 2011 15:40:42 GMT -5
I read about this last night, very sad indeed.
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Post by michele5611 on Aug 12, 2011 8:59:35 GMT -5
Condolences to all for your loss.
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Post by karladbmb on Aug 12, 2011 9:16:03 GMT -5
Thank you everyone for your kind words.
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