Pinups for Pitbulls: Advocates for the "Bully Breeds"

Pinups for Pitbulls Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Pit Bulls and other "bully breeds." Founded in 2005 by Deirdre Franklin, a.k.a. Little Darling, their mission is to educate the public about the history and temperament of the American Pit Bull Terrier and other pit bull type breeds.

Pinups for Pitbulls is also working to raise awareness about breed specific legislation and abuse. They hope to one day reestablish the defamed reputation of Pit Bull dogs as America's premier companion animal, war hero, and therapy dog.

Pit Bulls Then and Now

Restoring the Pit Bull's reputation is a lofty goal, given that no other dog breed is more maligned today. Demonized by the media and the irrational public, the Pit Bull breed as a whole is viewed as mean and evil; they're seen as vicious killers that bite without provocation. Pit Bulls have also become the poster child for dogfighting, gangs, drug dealers and other criminals. Citing the Pit Bulls' "vicious propensity," hundreds of cities and towns across the U.S. have adopted breed-specific dog bans.

Decades ago, the Pit Bull image was drastically different than it is today. In the March/April 2010 issue of Boston Review, Colin Dayan writes: "Pit Bulls were once known as America's Breed: RCA's 'Nipper' (pictured head cocked while listening to 'his master's voice'); Buster Brown's 'Tige'; 'Pete the Pup,' part of the Little Rascals gang; and the Pit Bull was pictured on the celebrated World War I poster proclaiming 'Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.' Sergeant Stubby, the most decorated dog in military history, fought for eighteen months in the trenches, saved several soldiers' lives, and captured a German spy."

The Pit Bull Temperament

Owners of Pit Bull dogs describe them as sweet, loving and affectionate companions. Franklin believes, as do many others, that there is "no such thing as a bad Pit Bull; there are only bad Pit Bull owners." Pinups for Pitbulls aims to change public perception and restore the Pit Bulls' reputation to their former glory. Their ultimate mission is to save the lives of abused and abandoned Pit Bulls, and bully breed mixes that languish in shelters.

Bully breeds include the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), the American Staffordshire Terrier, (Amstaff), Bull Terrier, American Bulldog and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Generally, these dogs are all considered cousins, bred from British bull and terrier combinations.

Pinups for Pitbulls raises money for the bully breeds by hosting and attending fundraising events year-round, and by selling various Pit Bull merchandise, including their wildly popular Pinups for Pitbulls calendar. According to Franklin, Pinups for Pitbulls was able to donate more than $20,000 last year to organizations that help Pit Bull dogs.

The Pinups for Pitbulls Calendar

The first Pinups for Pitbulls Calendar was published in 2007. They decided to use the angle of beautiful women with the dogs to get people's attention and to appeal to a wider demographic. It worked, and when Franklin was approached to be featured on the premiere episode of Animal Planet's reality TV show Pit Boss, she jumped at the chance.

Pit Boss has since become a hit TV show, and that pilot episode has been shown many times in reruns. This helps to further the Pinups for Pitbulls' cause to showcase these dogs in a positive light. Franklin and the "star" of Pit Boss, the gruff but loveable Shorty Rossi, became friends and now work together to dispel negative myths about Pit Bulls.

The 2011 Pinups for Pitbulls Calendar is now available on their website for $20 plus shipping and handling. According to the site, you will also be able to buy the 2011 Pinups for Pitbulls Calendar from Amazon.com, and from select retail shops in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., New York, Illinois and Kansas.

Other Pinups for Pitbulls merchandise available on their website includes hoodies, t-shirts, necklaces, tote bags, pins, stickers, posters, car decals, mugs, stationery - all featuring images of Pit Bull dogs, naturally.

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http://www.pinupsforpitbulls.com/

http://bostonreview.net/BR35.2/dayan.php

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local-beat/Pin_Ups_for_Pitbulls_Philadelphia.html