I’m excited to feature A Rotta Love Plus (ARLP) as our April Rescue of the Month! They have a lot of great things happening and a lot of great dogs available for adoption. ARLP is a comprehensive and proactive all-volunteer advocacy organization that uses a “nose-to-tail” approach to address the issues faced by Rottweilers and Pit Bulls. ARLP’s strategies include public outreach and awareness to repair the reputation of its breeds, community enrichment and education via its therapy dog program, spay/neuter initiatives, owner education and training, and foster-based dog rescue and rehoming. Their foster and adoption program works toward “quality over quantity” by carefully selecting the dogs they bring into the program, and the homes in which the dogs are fostered and adopted. They provide ongoing assessment and support to the program dogs, fosters, and forever homes to ensure their ongoing success.
Since 2005, ARLP has provided unique dog safety and humane education to youth, adults, and organizations. It integrates CGC (Canine Good Citizen) or therapy-registered dogs in a hands-on learning experience that increases knowledge about humane treatment of animals and reduces the risk of dog bites. Rott n’ Pit Ed (RPEd) helps build and foster strong relationships between dogs and their owners through a balanced approach to training. They provide the owners with a variety of tools to ensure the right approach is taken for each dog as an individual. Dogs need leaders as well as companions, and RPEd gives owners the confidence to help their dogs succeed.
Get Your Fix! provides free spays/neuters, vaccinations and low-cost microchips to Pit Bulls and Rottweilers. They go where the community needs them the most, to help decrease overpopulation and euthanasia in shelters. In 2011, the first year of this program, ARLP spayed/neutered 64 dogs. In 2012, they expect to spay/neuter more than 300 dogs.
ARLP’s PRIORITY Paws conducts free dog-therapy groups with youth in crisis who reside in local youth-services organizations. Pit bulls and Rottweilers provide a tremendous parallel: their stories of abuse, neglect, and negative social perception often mirror those of the youth, and can inspire them with stories of redemption and resiliency. The youth are then enabled to work through their crises using the lessons and skills that only the dogs can teach.
Coming up next week, the 4th Annual Deviant Art Show will take place at the Northrup King building in Minneapolis on Saturday April 14, 2012 from 3-9 pm, with a preview show the evening of Thursday, April 5. It was started in 2009 by the lovely Sarah Thornton of Lintu Art to raise awareness and funds for ARLP. In addition to experiencing unique, multi-media artwork, attendees at this free event can enjoy food and beverages, mingle with ARLP volunteers, hang out with registered therapy dogs, and learn about and support ARLP. I’ll have a few pieces on display, including some favorites from ARLP alum, Ronin’s, Joy Session.
I had three beautiful ladies in the studio yesterday. First up is MJ. She’s about 3 years old, plays hard and cuddles harder. She was very calm in the studio and I got a couple kisses. She’s really sweet and would love a home with other dogs and even cats!
Tulip is about a year and a half, and was pulled from Minneapolis Animal Care and Control. She’s a quick learner, loves car rides and other dogs, and cuddling on your head while you lay down.
Tallulah (or Tally) is a sweet girl who LOVES to chew! She’s from a dog fighting bust in Florida, and has a few battle scars to prove it. She may be a little pigeon-toed, but she can run/jump/play/crazy with the best of them!
Be sure to like A Rotta Love’s Facebook page to stay up to date on events and available dogs!
