For those who know me, and even those who do not, most would describe me as pit bull crazy. I make no secrets about the passion I have for animals and rescue, but my love for pit bulls is fervent.
Today, I want to share the story of Didi (formerly named Daisy), Mercy Full Project and the dog advocates who fought to save her. Her story is one of how the power of a network is invaluable and, in this case, saved a life.
October is recognized as both Pit Bull Awareness Month and Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, two initiatives that aim to raise awareness about the importance of adopting dogs from shelters and fostering a positive image of the American Pit Bull Terrier. The celebration of these two months serves to educate the public about the misconceptions surrounding pit bulls, often unfairly labeled as aggressive due to breed stereotypes. By promoting understanding and compassion for these dogs, advocates seek to change perceptions and encourage responsible pet ownership. As a pit bull mother of three, Scarlett, Lily and Captain Hook (Lily recently passed), I adopted Scarlett and Lily from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and Captain Hook, my newest addition, from Rags to Riches Animal Rescue.
Pit Bull Awareness Month specifically focuses on highlighting the loving nature, and loyalty, of pit bulls as companions. Many pit bulls are misunderstood and face discrimination, leading to high rates of abandonment and euthanasia. Through various campaigns, and events, organizations like Mercy Full Project, and the aforementioned rescues, work to showcase the unique personalities of pit bulls, emphasizing their suitability as family pets and their potential for training and socialization. By sharing success stories of rescued pit bulls, the goal is to create a more informed community that recognizes the breed’s positive traits.
Similarly, Adopt a Shelter Dog Month emphasizes the importance of adopting dogs from shelters, where countless animals need loving homes. Each year, millions of dogs enter shelters, and many of them face the threat of euthanasia if they are not adopted. This month-long awareness campaign encourages potential pet owners to consider adopting, rather than purchasing from breeders or pet stores. Shelters often have a variety of breeds, including pit bulls, and adopting a dog not only saves a life but also opens up space for another animal in need.
Together, these initiatives promote a compassionate approach to pet adoption and breed awareness. They encourage individuals, and families, to consider the benefits of welcoming a shelter dog into their lives, while advocating for the rights and welfare of pit bulls. By participating in events, volunteering or simply spreading the word, everyone can contribute to creating more inclusive and understanding environments for all dogs, regardless of their breed.
A DOG NAMED DAISY
Now back to Daisy (Didi). Back in August, a plea was posted on Facebook about a dog named Daisy, desperately asking for a rehoming or rescue. She had been in a fight with her dog siblings and the daughter of the former owner was pleading for help. She was a four-year-old female pit bull, with not much more known about her. Kimberly Poulin, a friend of Tampa Bay Business and Wealth, saw the plea and felt compelled to help.
With no real plan other than her good heart and a vet appointment, she set out to rescue Daisy. Poulin, a Pinellas County real estate agent, would figure out the next steps in her 48-hour journey with a lot of prayer, perseverance and a little help from her friends.
Despite a lot of initial back and forth, Poulin was able to bring Daisy to the vet for the critical care she needed to survive. She was in much worse shape than expected, when she arrived for treatment. Necrosis of previous wounds, gaping fresh wounds and she was in tremendous pain. The vet immediately operated on Daisy, who was fighting to survive. Poulin’s generosity provided Daisy the lifesaving surgery she needed. After a rough few hours at the vet, Daisy was able to be discharged into Poulin’s care. For two nights, Poulin, and her daughter Olivia, provided Daisy with around-the-clock care, ensuring that her drains and wounds were clean and dressed.
Poulin, realizing Daisy’s Road to recovery would be long, and the care needed went beyond what she could offer, reached out to more than 50 rescues. Her selflessness for Daisy was paramount to her survival.
THE ROAD TO FOREVER BEGINS
Enter me and the Pitbull Mafia of South Tampa, a fairy dog mother group I co-founded with four other businesswomen, during the pandemic. We exist to network dogs, primarily pit bulls. Poulin knew about my dedication to pit bulls and, with a few texts, the Mafia network was activated. Heydi Acuna, co-founder of Mercy Full Project, had just worked with me on another pit bull save.
Mercy Full Project is a dog rescue organization, based in Tampa, dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming dogs in need. The organization focuses on saving dogs from high-kill shelters and providing them with the medical care, training and love they require to thrive. Mercy Full Project emphasizes the importance of fostering and adopting pets, working to connect rescued dogs with loving, forever homes. In addition to its rescue efforts, the organization engages the community through education and outreach programs, promoting responsible pet ownership and raising awareness about the challenges faced by shelter dogs. By highlighting the unique stories of each rescue, MFP aims to inspire compassion and encourage more people to consider adopting, rather than shopping, for pets.
Now, despite not having room (like all rescues), she and MFP agreed to take in Daisy, knowing that her experience, access to a medical foster and financial support were crucial to Daisy’s chance of a better life. The Poulins took Daisy to the Mercy Full Project facility, in Tampa, where she was immediately welcomed and loved by all.
Daisy, now renamed Didi (as to not create confusion with another dog resident already with the name), was safe. Thousands of dollars have been raised for Didi’s care and she is now cozy, in a medical foster, waiting for her forever home, while she heals.
Without business networking, awareness and the power of connection, and friendship, Daisy would have ended up another statistic. In rescue the question is often asked, who rescued who? In Daisy’s case, this “Daisy Chain” rescued and connected all of us.
For more about Mercy Full Project, log on to www.mercyfullprojects.org
Brooke Palmer Kuhl is the president of RSBP Events + PR, an event and wedding planning and hospitality public relations firm, in Tampa.♦
ABOUT THE AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER
By Jo-Lynn Brown
Often referred to just as a pit bull, the American Pit Bull Terrier is actually just one specific breed, out of four different breeds, that fall into this bully category. When you hear pit bull, it’s a broad term that refers to more so the “look” of the dog and not its DNA. All told, 20 percent of the dogs in the United States can be considered a “pit bull,” depending on the broad standards of definition.
The four types of dog breeds in this family of canine, recognized by the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club, include the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Bully.
This type of dog was first bred in the early 19th Century, in England, as crossbreeds of bulldogs and terriers. They were originally bred to work on farms, as herders and protectors.
Sadly, those same characteristics that made them so valuable also offered opportunities to use the breed for more cruel practices of dog fighting, which an entire generation knows well the “caution signs” surrounding the breed. While these practices were not limited to pit bulls, it’s hard to deny that they were often the “face” of the practice. After all, they are strong dogs; denying that would do no one any good.
But, there is a side to these dogs that some don’t ever get to see. And that is just how lovable and silly they are. For every story of a dog bite, you will no doubt find five of the goofy animal sidekicks that love their humans with a dedication that could rival obsession.
They are a breed that may not be for everyone, just like any other pet or dog breed, but for those who know how to train and manage such a dog, the reward for that companionship is indescribable.
Pit bulls have been service dogs, therapy dogs, K-9 police dogs and, as my writing collaborator Brooke Palmer-Kuhl says, when you love them, you love them passionately.