Acts of mercy for 'bully' dogs

Valley Press ^ | Sunday, March 1, 2009. | JULIE DRAKE

[BenLurkin]

ACTON - Johnny Depp and his canine entourage rushed to greet a visitor to their property with a flurry of tail wags and hand licks through a chain-link fence. The young American Staffordshire terrier mix was rescued from death row at a shelter. Now, the happy, outgoing and well-behaved dog is awaiting adoption and a new home with a loving family.

Unfortunately, not all dogs like Johnny are as lucky.

Johnny, his canine friends Tyler and Annie and many other dogs are based on 2½ acres at actress and philanthropist Linda Blair's Rescued Animal Wellness Center.

Blair formed the nonprofit Linda Blair World Heart Foundation to rescue abused and abandoned companion animals and to help draw attention to the tragic consequences of pet overpopulation and illegal dog fighting.

"I believe any companion animal is a gift," Blair said. "I believe animals are angels on earth and they rely on us for protection, as do children."

Blair purchased the Acton property a couple of years ago so she would have a place to house the up to 50 dogs she is licensed to keep at any time for her rescue operation.

On a tour of the property, dogs greeted the animal advocate with wagging tails and the occasional bark as she walked past.

The animal advocate knows the personality of each dog on her property, most of which are the so-called "bully breeds": the American Staffordshire terrier, the Staffordshire terrier and the American bulldog, or pit bull.

"They are like none other, extremely emotional, and if you're not prepared for it, you should not get one," she said.

[BenLurkin]

"HAPPY NOW - Linda Blair enjoys some time with Happy, a hound mix rescued in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, at her Linda Blair World Heart Foundation site in Acton. Blair takes in dogs that have been abused, neglected and abandoned, and rehabilitates them before they are adopted." MOLLY HAUXWELL/Valley Press

[BenLurkin]

Be nice......

[cripplecreek]

I’ve got no problem with animal rescue programs. Both of my muts are rescue dogs.

[conservative cat]

It took me a few seconds to understand why Johnny Depp had pitbulls when he has kids.

[Slings and Arrows]

Best Friends has been rehabilitating some of Michael Vick’s dogs (whom they call the “Vicktory Dogs”), and they’ve had a lot of success. One of their stories is linked below.

http://news.bestfriends.org/index.cfm?page=news&fps=1&mode=entry&entry=A0F78A2F-BA2A-DAB3-2F4CC1339AE34172&utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Victory+dogs+and+puppy+love%21

[norton]

This has about as good a summary of the dog’s character as I have seen.

[Peace4EarthNow]

Doggie ping!!

[freekitty]

You don’t breed the bad out of the dog. You breed the good in.

[kanawa]

Sounds like she has her head on straight.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

I hope those dogs get plenty of exorcize.

[Eaker]

A pitbull and a min-pin.

Best friends.

[Eaker]

I hope those dogs get plenty of exorcize.

Pretty crappy thing to say.

[Eaker]

I hit “post” then got it.

Sorry, I am just used to hate on pitbull threads.

[Uhaul]

Save the dogs (they make a very good stew).

[Ditter]

I love people who let their dogs sleep in their beds. ;9)

[Kimmers]

This is one Hollywood celeb I am liking, putting her money and time where her mouth is.....If i lived near I would be a volunteer......

[Kimmers]

thanks for the “aw shucks” picture.....too sweet !!!!

[OneVike]

That's what Caesar says, The Dog Whisperer.

He says he helps dog who have people problems, because we all seem to want our pets to have human attitudes and characteristics. They are animals people, and until people stop trying to make fluffy a little kid, fluffy is going to be confused and not truly happy. Dogs and cats like being dogs and cats.

Many times, when people get a dog or a cat they are ill prepared for the realization that this is a 10 to 15 year commitment, and when the dog or cat acts like a dog or cat they don't know what to do. They really expect the animal to entertain and care for itself. So once the novelty of owning a new pet wares off, they drop it off at the pound or set it free in someones neighborhood hoping it will be adopted by someone better then they are.

[Hatteras]

[kanawa]

http://www.lindablairworldheart.com/