Top Ten Reasons To Adopt Rooney

10. He is undeniably handsome and charismatic and will get you attention wherever you roam. 

9. He has a basic obedience certificate under his belt; and he’s eager to learn more.

8.  He has an endless zeal for life and the classic pit bull smile to make them swoon.

7. He is crate-trained and leash-trained.

6. He has been unfairly discriminated against and would love the opportunity to educate people on his breed and good nature.

5. He likes to hang out with dogs and people of ALL sizes.

4. He’s strong and athletic and will make a fantastic jogging partner.

3. He deserves it; he's been waiting patiently for humans of his very own for nearly 1 year.

2. He is a big teddy bear that loves toys and playing fetch; he longs for a toy box of his very own.

1. Because he will spend his life working to be the best dog and the most loyal companion to you and your family.  

ADOPTION APPLICATION

http://sulafoundation.org/adopt/adoption-application

PETFINDER PROFILE

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/22249780

Introducing Caroline

Hi! My name is Caroline. A few weeks ago, I got hit by car, then ended up at a real scary place they call "the shelter." My people didn't want me back, so the shelter put me on something called a euthanasia list. I have no idea what that means, but it sounds scary.

Then, some nice people came to get me and brought me to a home! I've been here for about two weeks, and everyone says I'm doing all the right things. I get so excited when I see my foster mom. I want to jump to be closer to her, but she's taught me that I get more attention when I sit calmly. So cool!

I also get to go on walkies around the neighborhood, where I can smell a bazillion new smells and meet all kinds of new people and other dogs. And the best part? If I stay close to my foster mom, and look up at her every so often, I get chicken! Yesterday, it started raining on us, so we had to run under a balcony. While we were waiting, my foster mom taught me how to "leave it". Whenever I REALLY want something, I can have it (or something even better) if I just leave it alone first. It's hard cause I get so excited, sometimes I feel like I'm gonna explode. My foster mom says I'm learning impulse control, whatever that means.

Oh, and I get to play with the big blue boy who lives here, too. To let him know I'm ready, I usually walk up to him, lick his jowls, and then throw myself onto the floor. Then, he bites my ear and it's on! We wrestle around for hours. I like him. He's really handsome and gentle with me.

Soon, I'll be looking for a forever home. They say that I need to get rid of all the worms in my heart first, though. I'm just happy my name is off that euthanasia list, cause whatever it means, it can't be as good as this.

Training begins September 6

You've all been asking so here's the scoop. Our next session of basic obedience classes for pits and pit mixes begins September 6! The class is lead by Gallivan Burwell at Upward Dog Training & Counseling, and held in the spacious, air-conditioned gym at Belladoggie Resort Spa for Dogs! To reserve your spot, visit sulafoundation.org/training. 


Questions? Email Kelly Cottrell at training@sulafoundation.org. Space is limited, so sign up as quickly as possible! 


We can't wait to see all those smiling pit bull faces!

Andrew the Orphan

My name is Andy. When I was a little pup, I lived outside with another dog that was always picking on me. Every day, I hoped that my owner would come into the yard to play with me, or let me come inside to snuggle with him. But that never happened. One day, he left me at a place called Canine Connection, which was AWESOME because I got to play with lots of other dogs, sleep inside, and gives lots of kisses to the staff there. All the humans loved me, and I felt so lucky. 

But I’ve been here for a really long time now.  Most of the other dogs get dropped off early in the morning, run around the yard for a while, and then a human comes to pick them up when it gets dark. I wonder why no human comes to pick me up. All I want to do is give lots of kisses, run around with my girlfriend Angel, and have a human to call my own. 

I have TWO basic obedience certificates. The trainer people said that I was the star pupil of the classes. I know sit, down, stay, come, touch, and watch! I’m super-focused on my people, and I’m highly food-motivated.  I love every human I’ve ever met, even the little ones. Every night, when the dogs at Canine Connection go home with their people, I wonder if I’ll ever be so lucky. I want a home too, cause I deserve it. 

-Andy  

Biloxi does the right thing

After seizure, the dogs spent over a month
at the County Farm in Gulfport

For the past month, The Sula Foundation has been working (at no fee) with authorities in Biloxi, Mississippi, in response to a recent case in which twenty-five dogs were seized after being found tethered on a rural property, covered in wounds. The Biloxi police were determined to find the person responsible, and also determined to save any of the dogs that were sound enough to become pets, which is what the dogs deserve.

This girl had no reason to trust humans,
but welcomed us with open arms. 

One can never know what to expect when called to assess a group of dogs like this, yet we still weren't prepared for the condition the dogs were in, and the dignity with which they still managed to carry themselves. Several had to be euthanized due to gangrene. Others were so traumatized that they would only crawl along the ground in our presence, never rising up onto their feet.

Dogs of the 9th Ward, For the Love of Pits, and Animal Farm Foundation each generously offered to take one dog into rescue, but we're still working toward finding placements for some of the rest. It's been a rough month, as we inevitably bonded with many of the dogs who's futures are still uncertain.  At the same time, it's been incredibly rewarding. Today, the star of the evaluations, Mama, will arrive in Cleveland, Ohio to begin a new journey...learning what it means to be part of a family.  Each of the survivors deserves the same fate as Mama; we can only hope that there are enough resources available to afford them the chance at life they're entitled to.

Mama soaks up some New Orleans sun
before heading to Cleveland, Ohio

Beau's Journey

Jamie and Beau

Many of you already know our dedicated Volunteer Coordinator, Jamie Patterson. But when she’s not rounding up volunteers for our events, visiting our foster dogs at Canine Connection or snapping photos of adoptable pets, she’s at home, hanging out with her own furry friend, Mr. Beau. This handsome blue boy was featured in our 2012 Calendar, but we didn’t have enough room to share his incredible journey there. 

In the world of pit bull advocacy and rescue, we’re often forced to be reactive: we speak out against Breed Specific Legislation when it threatens our communities; we pull wonderful dogs from area shelters that wouldn’t make it to adoption otherwise; we provide support to pit owners in need. So on this Thanksgiving, we’re thankful for responsible pit bull owners, like Jamie, who are spreading the truth about pit bulls and keeping these amazing creatures out of shelters. 

Here’s Beau’s story:

Baby, bobble-head Beau

Beau came to Jamie’s family as a special needs pup—a former pick of the litter that had developed neurological problems and couldn’t walk in a straight line. He navigated the world as best as he could, wobbling around with his bobble head before running into whatever came into his path. Jamie was told that Beau wouldn’t be as active as other pups, and that he’d have a considerably shorter life span. But she was determined to give him a home filled with love, no matter had long he had. 

In the beginning, he was weak and groggy, but battled his health issues valiantly.  He would run three steps, fall, pick himself up and keep going. Soon after adopting him, Jamie discovered another health problem—Mr. Beau would need to undergo surgery for a hernia. But once the operation was complete, he came back at a miraculous full recovery. He went from running sideways and falling, to racing around the backyard like an arrow released. Beau was a dog with a new lease on life. The resiliency of these animals never ceases to amaze me. 

Special needs who?

 In Jamie’s words:

"Today, Beau Diesel Patterson is in beautiful health—80 lbs of stubborn, sofa-hogging snuggler.  He spends equal time infuriating us and making us fall in love.   He thrives on schedules—a.m. walks, keeping his toys in the same spot, play dates with the pup next door.  When something in his routine changes, he expresses a disapproval that is comical in its intensity.  He can say more by fixing you with a look, than most people can in a long conversation.  He has a special howl he saves for when he’s really frustrated.  He’s sneaky, affectionate, charming.  He’s stolen countless socks, food within reach…and our hearts.  We go to battle daily—him for more sofa time, me for more Beau photos.  He’s my exercise buddy, my best friend, my furry son. He has taught me never to give up.  I’ve tried to remember life before him and can’t.  And life without him now would be unbearaBEAU. Just like any other family with kids would say—it’s hard work but so worthwhile."

Mr. Beau in front of Jacques-Imo's on his calendar photo shoot

The Pit Bulls of New Orleans 2012 Calendar

Our 2012 calendar is at the printer now ... Pre-order your copies and they will ship the first week of November!    Alongside our city’s distinctive urban fabric, you’ll find the pit bulls of New Orleans seated on stoops, relaxing on porches, hanging out at local shops, restaurants and bars, and together with some of our favorite graffiti art.  


$18 per copy; $4.95 shipping per order.

Quantity

1 calendar $15.00 USD 2 calendars $30.00 USD 3 calendars $45.00 USD 4 calendars $60.00 USD 5 calendars $75.00 USD 6 calendars $90.00 USD 7 calendars $105.00 USD 8 calendars $120.00 USD 9 calendars $135.00 USD 10 calendars $150.00 USD