Being a Rescuer... my dogs saved me

Being a Rescuer... I didn't go looking... I didn't ask to be... at the time, I had no expectations of becoming... I'm a homebody... a loner... quiet... shy... I was simply me...

     My first "Pit Bull" mix... Freedom... did I free her or did she free me? Ten years ago this week... I was living at my parents... I had moved back to Florida from Tennessee in February of 2001... began working immediately when I got back to Florida... fast forward to September... I was out playing basketball with my best friends son (my parent's next door neighbor)... the ball had rolled up the driveway of a known vacant house for at least one or two weeks... had the basketball not rolled up the driveway bouncing off the garage door... we would have never known... Freedom along with a calico kitten were inside the house... no food, no water... frightened, underweight... in turn, one must think... if the events of that day... would I be doing what I'm doing today? I admittedly, was ignorant (and still am to a point... pending on the subject). Knowledge is power... I'm continually learning new things daily... sadly, I do make my share of mistakes... it's part of human nature... I learn from them... My dogs, have taught me not to rationalize over the mistakes, incidences, and the likes... to continue moving forward, day to day... to take whatever everyday life tosses at me... my dogs have saved me...

     Even after being saved by Freedom... my life as I knew it had changed... my new life, began with Freedom and thanks to her... She had played a tremendous part... in forming the man who I've become of today.  At this time, ten years ago... I was and still am a loner... homebody... a simple man... I'm an observer... a thinker... My mind does not have an "off button"... the gears are continually moving and shifting... nonstop... I'm a tense individual... my dogs are saving me...

     I ultimately decided to start my own Rescue... Pit Bull Happenings, Inc.   Reason is simple... the Dogs. However, starting the Rescue... I was not thinking nor took into account... I would become a public figure of sorts... a Nonprofit Organization... this has been and continues to be completely new to me... as I'm a very private and independent person... I'm a loner... who's been thrusted into the spotlight... I had no idea... I've never liked being the center of attention... I've never been one of a club scenes or large crowds... I'm the guy who is sitting in the corner... remaining quiet, isolated, observing my surroundings... I seek no glory. I seek no fame. I've done nothing to earn either of the two... the true heroes are... my dogs saved me...

     I have and will continue to make enormous sacrifices for my dogs... I love my dogs... I don't have special training... no certifications, no rewards, no special schooling... I'm a simple man.  Just recently, it came to me of the sacrifices that I have made for the dogs... The dogs are my life... When I bought my home a few years ago... the top two reasons, I bought the house I did... in all actuality... was for the dogs... I'm single... The house I bought is a three bedroom house... Why would a single guy need a three bedroom house? I have dogs... I've given them their own Dogs Room... I wanted a house with a large backyard... for me? No... again... I have dogs... I wanted a house that wasn't on a main road... I wanted it to set back some... limited on traffic, preferred minimal.. on a road where speeders are nonexistent... the house is on a road that makes a complete circle... the house is on the turn... hence, any speeders would more than likely run through one of the houses... my dogs safety is always a top priority... that held true on the big decision of becoming a homeowner... Looking back... I'm seeing a consistent system... I'm subconsciencely doing things... and making many sacrifices... all in the name of and for the dogs. This is something that I cannot help... it comes natural... There have been times when I have gone years without cable... money was tight... cable tv is luxury that many take for granted... I'm having the cable turned off again... as it's too distracting... and is taking away from my dogs... I'll go without eating before I allow my dogs to go without... my dogs are my life... my dogs are saving me... from me... from today's society... They are my heroes... They deserve the glories and praises... not I.

    Jumping into the Rescue work... has opened my eyes a lot... with pretty much everything in society... you have your good and you have your bad... Sadly, when I made it official... and Pit Bull Happenings, Inc was born... my persons, who had a minimal haters, enemies, and whatnot... well, unfortunately it had skyrocketed... I've had some pretty malicious accusations tossed at me... there's been a lot of rhetoric said about me and Pit Bull Happenings... from adopting out intact dogs, to being a dog fighter lover/supporter, being pro-breeder, among many other... and the gossip, lies, and hear ce continue to this day... Thanks to my heroes, I took everything with stride... I don't rationalize why stuff happens anymore... my focus is on my dogs... they are my teachers... they are my greatest teachers. Starting PBH, we're starting from the bottom and we are building PBH... we are growing... despite all the hate and evilness... many have placed obstacles in front of me, us, my dogs... many have tried causing us to fail as a Rescue... they failed! We are fast approaching our one year anniversary... we are still here! Reason is simple... my dogs and I don't rationalize... we live life day by day... My dogs and I have a very strong bond... it happens quickly... it happens naturally... it's meant to be... I'm living a dog's life... we are one.  I'm only briefly touching on the reality of the hate and evilness within the so-called "Rescue Community"...it's broken... PBH hopes to lead by example... our biggest weapon, has been our silence... and will continue to be our silence... as we aren't here for the humans, we aren't here for the emotions... we are here to do right by our dogs... with all the outragious and malicious accusations against my persons and PBH... we have given no reactions... so, haters take note... you'll continue to receive no reactions from myself or Pit Bull Happenings... There was a major and extremely hurtful accusation (at the beginning of this year) byway of a serious insinuation... that I had killed Bodacious (RIP 12/2010), my American Bulldog... my reaction? None! I took it in stride... and kept my focus on building PBH and doing what I can... for the dogs... my dogs saved me. The hate and evilness is horrible in the Rescue world... it saddens me very much so... it's so bad, that someone had the gall to even go into the Pet Supermarket, New Port Richey location... one of our regularly scheduled monthly event locations. One day, I was talking to the General Manager... just chit chat... well, our conversation back and forth... reminded him... that someone had came into the store one day... and an individual "had nothing nice to say about you or Pit Bull Happenings" I admit, I was very curious who would go into our regular adoption place and talk trash... then I thought of my dogs... and didn't press for more details and told the GM, that I didn't want to know anything more about this disgraceful act (from a so-called animal advocate) as it's irrelevant to me... remember, I have the greatest teachers of all, my dogs... my dogs are saving me...

     In anycase, Pit Bull Happenings is here for the long haul... we aren't here to appease the "Rescue community" we aren't here for our egos, we aren't here for the drama, the hate, the evilness of humans... we don't kiss ass... we don't seek fame and glory... we do what we do for the dogs, and the dogs alone... my dogs are heroes... my savior... my teachers... my life... I've been freed... saved.

     In all honesty, I don't take to compliments very well... I don't know what to say or how to react... I don't know how to handle them... I'm learning... but still have ways to go... I'm a simple man... the true rescuers are my dogs... They have given me purpose... they have given me life... they are teaching me to better socialize... they teach me compassion, love, forgiveness... they are teaching me not to hide my sensitive side... they are teaching me to be truly free... they have converted my being close minded to being open minded... they have taught me to love myself... they are teaching me to lower my levels of independence... to open up my life and to allow others to enter... to allow others to help... I still have ways to go with accepting help... but the dogs are training me... and I'm just as bull headed as they can be... so, it's no easy task... but they are doing it... they are saving me...

     We, as a Rescue... need help... our dogs are helping free our minds and hearts from the sadness and evilness of today's society... they freed me... you can be free from the worries of these hard economic times as well... learn from the dogs! They will free you from all the evilness of humans, if you allow them to... if you give them the chance to. Volunteer for the dogs, regardless of the Rescue or Shelter... get involved... pay close attention to the dogs... they are speaking to us... they are teaching us... they are freeing us... They are very majestic creatures... they are Angels on Earth... Don't dread today's world... my dogs have taught me not to rationalize what is out of our control... they can teach you the same... if you allow them... they saved me... they can save you as well! They are the true rescuers... not I or you... they deserve the credit... they deserve the thanks, they should get the credit... they are the real heroes... the dogs of Rescues and Shelters need you, they want you... don't allow your personal emotions, the many different views, and whatnot to take the focus off of what truly matters... the dogs... No matter the obstacles that are put in your way by other humans... keep the focus on the dogs... be like the dogs... let them teach you... my dogs saved me...

Volunteer today! You shall be freed from the evilness of Today's World. If they can free me... they can free you... my dogs have saved me. They can save you too!

Signed,
Eric Emminger
President of Pit Bull Happenings, Inc.
Eric@PitBullHappenings.com
http://www.pitbullhappenings.com/





  

Roadway to obtaining our 501(c)(3) Not-for-Profit Federal Tax Exemption Status

On October 15, 2010, We Incorporated as Florida Nonprofit Corporation (Pit Bull Happenings, Inc.) By doing so, we officially became a Florida Nonprofit "Pit Bull" Rescue serving the greater Tampa Bay area as well as working the entire state of Florida on a case by case basis.

     Then at the end of January, 2011 we decided to start a ChipIn to raise the "User Fee" required by the IRS to accompany the form 1023 (Request/Application for 501c3 Federal Tax Exemption Status) and to our surprise, within a very short time and a huge thanks to three most generous and wonderful individuals, our ChipIn went 37% above our requested amount of $400 totaling $550!! Please Click here to view the blog with this ChipIn and details!!



     Thinking I had more time to work on preparing the application and gathering other documents needed to accompany our application... once the ChipIn went over the requested amount... I then went into high gear to complete our Application and went to the Rescue's Bank to get a Cashiers Check for the "User Fee"

The beginning of February, 2011 I completed all of the paperwork, got the Cashier's Check for $400 and then headed over to the United States Post Office to send off our request/application for the 501(c)(3) Not-for-Profit Federal Tax Exemption sending it via Priority Mail Certified w/Return Receipt.

Officially mailed on February 8, 2011.

     The IRS signed for package on February 11, 2011, confirmed by our Return Receipt/Confirmation! Now the suspense of waiting... and waiting... and still waiting for our next steps in obtaining our Approval "Determination Letter"

     Finally, in May of 2011, our Application was assigned to IRS Agent, Yvonne.  She mailed me letter as well as contacted me via my cell phone... to explain certain clarifications as well as corrections on my Application. Due to my over thinking self... I did make a couple errors on our Application... one, I needed to terminate our CGC program we were offering if you remember... We were offering our Adoptive Forever Homes a $50 Rebate if their PBH Rescue Dog achieved the CGC within one year of the Adoption Date... I thought it was a good program however, I do understand why we had to terminate that program... as a 501c3 Not-for-Profit Organization, you are only permitted to use donations given for 501c3 purposes, meaning we cannot give any refunds, rebates, etc... all monies donated will be used for 501c3 purposes...

     The other couple errors were do to my over thinking in regards to the Political Campains, Politicians, Political candidates, etc... part of the Application. At first, I said basically we wouldn't get involved... then my thinking kicked in and I thought... well, if a Politician supports BSL... I would have to oppose that candidate or politician... well, that was the wrong answer and has since been corrected ;)  Going by rules for 501c3, as a Federal Tax Exempt Organization, we are NOT permitted to Support nor Oppose ANY Political Campaign, Political Candidate, Politician by name.., however, we are indeed allowed to support or oppose specific pieces of legislation (ie. Pit Bull Ban, mandatory spay/neuter, dangerous dog, etc...) and then I also neglected to specify the amount of time and money we'll use for this... well, the money was easy... as no rescue money will be used for anything political... as the money all goes to help our Rescue efforts and the PBH Rescue Dogs... now as for the time involved, I put it at less than 5% of our time will be invested as our primary focus will be the dogs, with regards to Education and Rescuing!

     I also had to send our "Articles of Amendment" to the state of Florida in which I also paid for the "Certified Copy" all of which I forwarded to the IRS via FAX to the IRS Agent assigned our case. I opted to send it FAX rather than the USPS because Fax'ing allows for the IRS to receive it much quicker. We officially Fax'd it on July 18 of 2011 (I'll have to double check the date later... I'll confirm once I get the Fax confirmation in my hand, but this date is pretty close). Then a week following the Fax, I called our IRS Agent to confirm that she did indeed receive it.  So, now if the clarifications, corrections, and our Article of Amendment are error free... our IRS agent will send our complete application in for final Review in which we will then expect them to send us our Approval "Determination Letter" in regards to the 501c3 Not-for-Profit Organization!!

     We are extremely happy and are quite confident we'll obtain our Federal Tax Exemption VERY SOON!!  (if all goes as planned... we should have our letter in hand within 30 days!!)

     So, to everybody who has been so very generous and has helped generously donated to PBH, and IF you haven't already been given a receipt (PayPal donors, hold onto your PayPal email receipts) please email Eric@PitBullHappenings.com for a receipt... as once we get our Approval Letter in hand... ALL Donations the Rescue was given will be allowed for "Tax write-off" purposes effective from the date of our Incorporation with the state of Florida! (October 15, 2010)

     This has been a long road to obtaining our Federal Tax Exemption status but we're almost at the end of this road and we could not have made it with all of your friendships and support! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts as it's you, our friends who are guiding PBH as a Rescue! It is you, who are making PBH what we are... We want to be known as the "People's 'Pit Bull' Rescue" Thank you for all your kindness, compassion, and generosity in standing by the PBH Rescue Dogs!

PS - We'll keep this blog Updated and will keep all updates at the top of this blog!!
PS2 - To view all the pictures taken of our progress in obtaining our 501c3 Click here!
Click here to view the past blogs of our journey to the 501c3 Not-for-Profit Status and Click here to view our first blog when we created the "User Fee" Chip In!

Respectfully Yours,

~ Eric Emminger

   Founder/President of Pit Bull Happenings, Inc.

   Eric@PitBullHappenings.com

   http://www.pitbullhappenings.com/

   www.Facebook.com/PitBullHappeningsInc



An apology from the PBH Rescue Dogs

"Sorry that I'm a healthy Adult Dog... sorry I was only put on a short chain to a tree in the middle of the cold winter with no food, no water, and no shelter and left to become horribly emaciated... sorry, my former owners home was foreclosed on... I'm very thankful to the very nice realtor lady to whom discovered me and reached out to rescues to help me.  Thank you to the good people of Suncoast Animal League for getting me to the vet and getting my weight back up and giving me a warm place to sleep at night. Sorry, I was chasing the horses of what I thought was my Forever Home... I was only having fun... they only needed to spend time with me to train me not to do that... Thank you to Pit Bull Happenings for giving me a safe and loving home and for feeding me and ensuring my medical needs are taken care of... Sorry nobody wants to help by sponsoring me monthly until Pit Bull Happenings can find me a good Forever Home... sorry nobody wants to be my foster home until my forever home can be found... Sorry for being me." ~ Oliver, PBH Rescue Dog

"Sorry that we came from a Shelter in the Panhandle of Florida... sorry, that we are black and people suffer from the "black dog syndrome"... we didn't ask to be black... Sorry, you're about to miss us grow into healthy, happy adults... sorry that you're going to miss our puppy years... Sorry we only had early stages of demodex mange and not a severe case where we had no hair and extremely bad looking and achy... sorry, we didn't come from a more sad situation that pulls on your heart, having you sponsor us monthly or even donate a little to our Rescue to help care for us... Sorry, you don't want to help by Fostering us until our Forever Home comes... when our Forever Home is found... Sorry, for being me" ~ Meadow & Amaya, PBH Rescue Dogs

"Sorry, I was only found as a stray by a kind lady who took me to the Vet to get me current on my shots and neutered.  Sorry, I was heartworm negative... sorry, I didn't come from a gory pasttime... sorry for being a healthy dog and for being about 2 years old... I didn't realize how old two was... sorry for being full of energy, and for being a happy go getter me... Sorry you don't want to help my rescue by sponsoring me monthly... sorry nobody wants to Foster me until my Forever Home comes to get me... sorry for being me" ~ Junky, PBH Rescue Dog

"Sorry my owners abandoned me at their old house... sorry I was living under the house because the landlord kicked me out of the house... sorry I was horribly flea infested... sorry I was only 10 or 15 lbs under weight... I would have been much worst if a kind lady didn't come by to feed me every day for a week and a half... sorry I was filled with worms and parasites... sorry I'm only heartworm positive... and not more unhealthy or sickly... sorry you don't want to sponsor me to help the Rescue who has been so kind to take me in and to get me to the Vet and who feeds me and has given me a nice place to live inside while I get healthier... sorry that my story isn't good enough to help this kind rescue care for me... Sorry for being me" ~ Cheyenne, PBH Rescue Dog

"We're sorry our stories are more of the same... We're sorry Pit Bull Happenings doesn't want to use sympathy to garner support and donations to help care for us while under the Rescue's care... We're sorry we aren't those hugely sickly dogs... sorry we aren't those 'cute little puppies' that everybody wants to help and save... we're sorry for mostly being healthy adults... we only want to find our forever homes... we don't want you to only want us because we come from a horrific past... we've forgotten our past... and are living day by day... we don't dwell on the past.... we don't want your sympathy... we just want you to love us for who we are... We aren't old... really, we aren't... two years old is young and we still have a long life to live... We're sorry our stories aren't 'good enough' to have any sponsors to help out the rescue... Sorry for only being ourselves... Sorry for only being PBH Rescue Dogs" ~ PBH Rescue Dogs

Pit Bull Happenings, Inc.   ...here for the dogs!

Disclaimer: This blog was written solely to bring Awareness to the Fact that Healthy Adult dogs are in need of help with funding, care, rescue, etc... To bring awareness too that more often than not... they are over looked in Rescues and Shelters because people are wanting to rescue and help a sickly dog, one that comes with a heart wrenching story and then of course you have the "everybody wants a puppy" mentality or so it seems. In NO WAY, Shape, or Form is this blog intended to be interpreted as wishing ill will upon the sickly dogs or puppies... PBH cares about ALL dogs, of ALL history, of ALL stories (sad or happy)!



Prayers and positive thoughts for Freedom (senior)

I have opted to seek help in having Freedom's Vet Bill Paid!! Yes, she is my "Personal" Dog, Yes, she is a Rescued Dog! Yes, she plays a vital role in the PBH Rescue! I will be forever grateful for ANY and ALL Help in paying her Vet Bill off... Starting up and continuing to move forward with the Rescue, sadly has put me behind on a few personal bills which I'm working on rectifying... The Rescue's Vet were so kind to treat Freedom under our Rescue Pricing without knowing her story below... They did this even after knowing she was my "Personal" Dog... and for that I'm very thankful, as our Rescue as well as my persons is going through financial hardships... Please consider helping me pay down Freedom's Vet Bill to help me maintain the Rescue Dogs and work on rectifying the financials of the Rescue and my Personal financial obligations. The Rescue has drained me financially... Any questions or whatnot please email me at Eric@PitBullHappenings.com

Freedom was also given supplements which will be in her best interests to stay on for the long term due to her age, etc... The supplements given to her by the Vet are Dasuquin (MSM Large Dog: 84 count) & Welactin (Dog 16 oz) If anybody knows where we can get these for a very affordable price or somebody who knows of supplements that we can get for her as soon as her current supply is used up... Please let me know!! Thank you all for your kindness and generosity and prayers!! Freedom's doing very well and is still as stubborn as ever... Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything! 

Update 07/19/2011 1930 hrs:  The good news is the tests came back and it appears Freedom does not have Cancer... and what a relief... 

However, she did somehow get an ACL tear... which I'm pounding my mind trying to figure it out considering the fact she's not an active dog... she doesn't rough house with any of the dogs and vice versa... they know better... she can be a bitch ;)  The Vet, wants to try to avoid surgery due to her age... so, we'll see... 

She also has hip dysplasia... and an infection in her vaginal area... She is on Metacam (pain meds), Dasuquin MSM (Supplement), Welactin (Supplement), and Orbax (antibiotics for infection).

Her Vet of course, ordered rest... which fortunately, Freedom has already mastered!  The biggest concern and task will be keeping her off of the couch so that she doesn't further damage her ACL tear... I was offered by a very kind and very generous lady a ramp for Freedom which will ensure Freedom doesn't lose the one thing she loves the most... the couch...  My mom reports that during the day she does good by laying down on the bed she has on the floor but night time... she does get on the couch, so the couch will be barricaded off for now... Thank you all for keeping the prayers coming!! and let's hope she heals without needing to go through surgery... She'll go back to the Vet in a week and half to see if her infection has cleared up.

Thank you all again for the prayers and positive thoughts... Please, for Freedom, keep them coming and let's hope she heals quickly without the need for undergoing surgery... Let's pray her pain goes away. 

Update 07/18/2011 2030 hrs:  After my mom brought Freedom  to me at work today... I must admit, she seemed to be feeling a little bit better... she seemed more alert and focused and even was moving around slightly better so it seemed... however, she's still in a lot of pain... The vet wanted us to bring her back in the morning at 0700 hrs... so that they can do a few x rays on her leg that's seriously is hurting her... during that process they are going to go ahead and give her sedation because they basically will have to press her legs flat (I'm not sure how to describe it) press down on the legs or similar... which with her leg already hurting her... well, I'm sure we can imagine how painful that will be :(  hence the reason for the sedation... She has quite a few growths that have formed as well... most of which are pretty small... the one growth is about the size of a quarter, maybe slightly larger... The vet will test that one for cancer... They are also going to give her a Urinalysis to see if she might have an infection that caused the mucous to drop out...

Since they wanted her back to the Vet at 0700 hrs and I didn't leave out of there until 1820 hrs, I asked if she could stay over night and I'll pick her up at about 1630 hrs since I have to work tomorrow from 0730 to 1530 hrs. She'll be fasting tonight and first thing in the morning they'll get the urine sample... and then they'll perform the other tests and the X-Rays for her leg that's hurting her badly... Sadly, she is in pain right now... she's a trooper and has always been a strong willed dog... I will say I'm very optimistic after seeing her today... I'll know A LOT more tomorrow so please your prayers and thoughts are still needed... I'm still hanging onto hope that this isn't anything serious... Thank you for all the prayers!!

--------------------
 Update 07/18/2011 0855 hrs: I contacted Quail Hollow Animal Hospital at 0830 hrs and we have scheduled Freedom an appointment for this afternoon at 1630 hrs. I called my mom and she will be bringing Freedom to me at the time I get off of work today and then I'll drive out to our Vet. I'll keep everybody posted on the outcome of this appointment. Please keep her in your prayers and thoughts!! Thank you!!
-------------------------
Freedom who is in between 13 and 14 years of age needs prayers and positive thoughts... sadly, she is not doing so swell... and we're scheduling her a vet appointment first thing Monday morning... As of right now, her balance and coordination are way off, she's always been a "Couch Potato" and quite lazy, however more recently, her laziness increased dramatically, she is also having troubles getting onto the actual couch and one of her rear legs is definitely bothering her... she also has arthritis pretty bad... which all the rain we've been getting has her really hurting...

I took Freedom to my parents house yesterday so that my mother can keep a closer eye on her until she gets in to see the Vet... as well as planned on taking her over there for a couple of weeks anyhows to give her a vacation of sorts from the Dog House and Rescue activities... Well, yesterday I noticed for the first time, a couple drops of mucous dripped from her rear area which the Vet will have to determine precisely where it came from... and has me really concerned... I also will have her checked for anything cancerous, as she has a few new growths appearing... I'm sadly, thinking of the worst... in hopes to better prepare myself as I know in my heart... there is no cure for old age... I'm hoping for the best and hoping this is nothing too serious... and will do whatever I can to help Freedom as her welfare is paramount... however, if it something serious... and if she is in a lot of pain... I'll have no choice but to make the hard choice that every loving owner dreads to make... but I'll make whatever decision is in Freedom's best interest... how do you prepare for something for this? I honestly, don't think I'm capable of preparing for the worst case scenario... especially for Freedom.  Freedom's a very special dog.

Freedom, I first hand rescued from an abandoned house... I remember that day as if it were yesterday... I was in my parent's neighborhood playing some basketball with their next door neighbor, my best friend's teenage son... It was the end of September, 2001. The basketball had rolled up the driveway of the house across the street, bouncing off the garage door in which I immediately heard barking coming from inside the house.  I knew the house was vacant and that the people had moved out and that the house sat empty for about week and half... I walked over to the front window and looked inside the empty house... to see this beautiful blondish colored dog looking at me. I checked the window and fortunately, it wasn't locked so I opened the window and reached in to pull the dog from the house, learning that she was a female and very frightened and emaciated dog... she was extremely head shy as everytime I went to gently pet her on the head her, she would close her eyes and drop her head to the ground... to this day she is still a tad bit head shy however not nearly as extreme as when she was first rescued.

After removing her from the house, I heard a meow from within the same the house... and pulled out a tiny calico kitten... now skin and bones... I found it amazing how this female "Pit Bull" literally was choosing to starve to death rather than to do what most humans would have chosen to do if in the same situation this wonderful and most amazing "Pit Bull" was put in...

The name I chose, had come to me quickly and naturally with the facts of my being a huge Patriot who loves his country and has a lot of pride... combined with the horrific tragedy that took place on September 11th a couple weeks earlier... in addition to freeing her from most certain death... her name is Freedom.  My sister, then named the calico kitten, Liberty.

I gave her some food as well as some water... poor Freedom was extremely frightened and constantly shaking... emaciated badly... her behavior clearly told me she wasn't only left to die in an empty house... but prior to the abandonment had obviously undergone physical abuse and more than likely emotional and pyschological abuse...

I took her to the Vet to get her checked out and surprisingly was in decent health other than needing to get "fattened" back up and suffering from malnourishment which food would fix quickly... well, shortly later... it turned out she wasn't in good health afterall... I noticed she began seeping some sort of mucous from the vaginal area. I rushed her back to the vet and it was then we learned she had a bad uterus infection and she went into surgery right away... $1000 later, she was back to being healthy... and living a life of the Couch Potato...

Freedom was my very first Rescue and is a true Pit Bull Ambassador... she is very well mannered and loves all people... she is very polite and gentle... has always been just truly amazing.  Every new dog brought into the Dog House... Freedom was always there to meet them first with her very calm demeanor and amazing temperament and did every introduction perfect... she plays a very vital role for our Rescue that include proper introductions and socialization... of course, Freedom being the kind of dog she is had to include some of her own rules, in addition to the rules that I had already laid down... and every dog learned quickly to not to invade her personal space especially while she was enjoying her leisure time on the couch... or out back sunbathing... of course, as she continues to age... depending on her days and moods... the other dogs were realizing that some days she would only have a very small personal space on the couch... while other days her space involved the whole couch... I often kidded around with the other dogs apologizing for Freedom... explaining she's getting a bit senile for her old age... All the dogs of past and current of the Dog House have and continue to respect Freedom and understood she was the Queen of the Dog House, is the Queen of the Dog House.

Her rescue story has also been published in "Lost Souls: Inspiring Stories About Pit Bulls" by Kyla Duffy of Happy Tails Books.  You can see a preview of the book by clicking the following link... Freedom's story is on page 7 of this pdf preview and the story is titled "Lady Liberty" Click Here to read Freedom's published story and scroll down to page 7..

I have so many wonderful memories of Freedom and everybody she met and got to know, fell in love with her. When she first was Rescued... my own mother, although she felt badly for and was upset at the humans responsible for this... yet, unsure what to think with the simple fact... Freedom is a "Pit Bull" well, it didn't take Freedom long to get my mother to change her thoughts which regrettably the media was mostly responsible for as well as other ignorant people... and Freedom has changed the minds of countless other people who she met over the years in regards to the people sadly falling prey to the "hype", the lies, myths, etc.. that surround these most spectacular "Pit Bulls" and everybody falls in love with her almost immediately... I'm very blessed for having Freedom in my life.

Please keep Freedom in your thoughts and prayers... I'm remaining optimistic and will continue hoping this is only a minor ailment that is easily cured. I'm contacting our Vet first thing Monday morning to get her an appointment scheduled for as soon as possible. Once the Vet sees her, we'll discuss in full detail diagnosis and the all options available for making her better... I'll keep every body posted as I learn the extent of this ailment. Thank you all for praying for Freedom and keeping her in your thoughts.

In prayer and positive thoughts,
Eric Emminger
Founder/President of Pit Bull Happenings, Inc.
Eric@PitBullHappenings.com

The Story of Oliver and how he came to find the Dog House!

A realtor happened to go check on a house that was being foreclosed on at the beginning of December, 2010. The people had already moved out of the house. While inspecting the property, the realtor discovered they had left behind a very young dog, on a short chain... no food, no shelter, no water... he was badly emaciated and left to endure the cold winter nights for Lord knows how long...

The realtor took this boy into the Vet to be looked over and checked out... he was estimated to be in between 9 and 12 months old.  This very kind lady then got him into a temporary foster home while she reached out to Rescues including us, Pit Bull Happenings, Inc. While at the temporary foster home, he gained about half the weight he had lost. The realtor lady emailed us December 21, 2010 pleading for help and sadly at that time we were at our limit and unable to bring him into our Rescue.  Thankfully the Angels at the Suncoast Animal League (SAL) stepped up and brought him into their Rescue.  


They named this poor soul, Oliver.  They made sure he was fully vetted, had him tested for heartworms which he was negative for, got him current on his vaccinations including rabies and after he got back to his normal weight they had him neutered.


The following pictures were taken while he was under the direct care of the great people of the Suncoast Animal League:

Oliver was ready for Adoption!! He's Dog Friendly, loves people, and loves to cuddle and play!!  SAL found him a Foster to Adopt home on a few acres of land. However, he became intrigued with the horses they had and wanted to chase them.  His new owners weren't sure how to correct this behavior nor did they have the time to train him to leave the horses alone and fearful he would get hurt decided it was best for his safety to return him to SAL.


SAL then reached out to us to see if we could help them by taking Oliver into our Rescue and fortunately, we were working a couple adoption applications and adopted out our PBH Rescue Dog Faye to a wonderful family, freeing up a spot for Oliver to come into our Rescue.  

We were very happy to work with and help SAL.  They are  currently doing great things with a lot of different dogs needing medical treatment so they reached out to PBH to see if we could help.  It's great to be able to help other Rescues and work together.  The more we (Rescues) work together, the more dogs we may save...  We have also added SAL to our webpage "Friends of PBH" as we are seeking out Friends within the Rescue Community!! Please be sure to check the Suncoast Animal League on Facebook!!  SAL, like PBH ...here for the dogs!  Actually, SAL  helps all animals both domesticated and wild! True Angels! True Dedication! True Love for Animals!


Today, Oliver is now officially a PBH Rescue Dog and will be available for adoption on April 25, 2011.  We have a mandatory minimum two week hold period for ALL New Intakes. This two week period affords us the opportunity to get to know the individual dog better, learn his behaviors, temperament, his limits, needs, etc...  The individual dog will then have the time to tell us if he/she needs an extension on the hold period but as for Oliver, we are quite confident he's  ready now but we are still going to wait the two week hold period out to get to know him better hence allowing us to better match him with a Foster or Forever Home!!

Pit Bull Happenings, Inc. ...here for the Dogs!

UPDATE: 501(c)(3) "User Fee" Goal REACHED!! Success!!

UPDATE: 501(c)(3) "User Fee" Goal REACHED!! Success!!

We have reached the Goal wayyyyyyyy Earlier than we anticipated!! 

We are extremely excited that now we just have a little bit more of the paperwork to gather and prepare and then we're mailing our Application with a $400 check to the IRS so that we may become an Official 501(c)(3) Not-for-Profit Organization!! We are hoping to finish the Application this weekend and have it in the mail by this coming Monday!!

(I'm not able to close this ChipIn due to the Fact... I LOVE SEEING IT!!)

 We had three very generous donors for this worthy cause... Donors of $50, $100, and $400... I think we're still in Shock & Awe from this... In the Rescue world, we come into close contact and the realizations of how much animal abuse is really out there... in the current hard economic times, we see so many people keeping their wallets closed... when we think there's no hope for humankind... and then we have generous souls, who so selflessly look beyond themselves and look towards doing something good, something that will be beneficial... not to a human, but to a dog...  

I know, I may live in what I call the Dog House... the lone human living amongst a house full of dogs... helping the dogs out the best I can... I always knew, there are plenty of Good People out there, who care, love, are compassionate and passionate both... Sadly, it's the evil and more vocal (louder) people getting the attention... Rescuing these dogs, whether donations come pouring in or not... and no matter how much Red I'm in... the benefits far outweigh the negatives! 

However, once I get the letter from the IRS saying that we've been approved... It will open up so many doors for us... I have found out... Doing Good and only being a Florida Nonprofit Corporation is not good enough... it just seems people want to see the 501(c)(3) certificate... as if that makes one legitimate... two organizations come to mind who are not legit...(HSUS and PETA)... Anyways, this will end very soon!! After I receive the approval letter... I'll have to find a Volunteer who knows how to write for Federal Grants ;) 

We'll also be able to pull from our local and surround counties Animal Services!! I just wouldn't feel right to pull from a shelter under another Rescue's 501(c)(3) which is why I started the Application in January. October 15th of last year I became an Official Florida Nonprofit Corporation! So, we're moving up and all the happenings now... seems to have jumped into high gear... but it's all worth it!!

I'm still (I know it doesn't seem like it, but really....) at a loss for words. I do not know how to thank these very special individuals for what they did... This is all quite amazing! Before getting into Rescue... I used to be homebody... go to work, go home, go to bed and then do it all over again.  This Rescue has been extremely good for me... The dogs have all been great... of course we have our up and down days... The people I have met, for the most part, have been tremendous. I've made some Great Friends!! I hope to have all the Supporters remain with us for a long journey ahead of us.  I hope you stay with us as we grow... as you help us to grow!! 

I may have Founded Pit Bull Happenings, Inc. but it's YOU who are going to make PBH what it is and to where we go!! We cannot Thank you enough!! You better believe we'll be posting the Letter as soon as we have it in our Possession!! ;)

Thank you all for the great support... I've been humbled...

Note: I tried to write this blog in 3rd party style... I did a couple sections but I was unable to... This Update came from the heart and it didn't feel right in the third party style...

Help us collect the fee to send with our 501(c)3 Application!!

501(c)3 Not-for-Profit Status

$400 Fee Required w/Application

We are proud to announce that we are almost complete on filling out our 501(c)3 Application that will grant us the Federal Not-for-Profit Status!! 

We are extremely excited about this as once we get accepted, we'll then be allowed to work and partner with the Local Animal Services and save "Pit Bulls" on Death Row!!  We not only will be able to do more with Rescuing the dogs in need, we'll be able to offer our generous donors a tax-deductible write off on their taxes, we'll be able to apply and get approved for Federal and State grants!! Once we get the 501(c)3 certificate we'll be able to do soooo much more and the best part is, it's ALL for the DOGS!!!!! 

We really could use your help as I've said in the past, launching a Rescue is hard work and very time consuming and very stressful at points... We are still working on paying down our Vet Bill we have acquired plus the continued general welfare and care of our current PBH Rescue Dogs... well, it's rather expensive and we can definitely use your help!! From the beginning, we've said it's going to take the Community coming together all for the common cause... The Dogs!!  

Any and ALL donations and of any size, no matter how small or large... ALL Donations will be greatly appreciated and we'll be forever grateful!! We sincerely hope you'll consider donating a little to help us raise the IRS's required $400 fee that we have to send in with our completed 501(c)3 Application!

We are extremely happy about this and can't wait to get our Not-for-Profit status... it opens up so many doors for us and more importantly enables us to help the dogs sitting on Death Row!

We do understand the hard economic times that we all are feeling. If you are unable to donate, please feel free to help promote this Blog and ChipIn and to to help spread the word!  We are so close now and need your help! The DOGS Need Your Help!!

Thank you in Advance! ...and here's to the Dogs!!