Wednesday, January 12, 2011

THE BIRTH OF VILLALOBOS




In 1993, I fell in love with a dog who took my breath away. He was given to me by a relative who had wanted him for a guard dog but felt he was too nice. Ironically his name was Cujo and he was the exact opposite of the killer dog depicted in the Stephen King book. He was part wolf, part dog and weighed around 150 lbs. My little "polar bear" loved every dog, cat, bird, child and plant he met. Cujo is who inspired me to start rescuing dogs. And though I first began my "rescue career" saving wolfdogs, he taught me everything about compassion and love for all canine. It was then I decided on the name "Villalobos" for my rescue title. The meaning....village of wolves. Who would've ever known that after the passing of this magnificent animal, that Villalobos would then transcend into the largest Pit Bull rescue in the country. And because the "village of wolves" meant so much to me, I just couldn't bring myself to change the name. Oh sure, I thought of "The Pit Stop" or "Lil' Rascals" and so many more. And as some of the wolfdogs passed away from old age and I was down to a small pack, they watched as an even larger "pack" of Pit Bulls began to move in. It didn't take long for the Pit Bulls to pick up on the behavior of the wolfdogs. Before long, the Pit Bulls soon learned to howl into the night just like the wolfdogs and the coyotes that lived in the hills. My two leaders "Nashaka" the wolfdog and "Duke" the Pit Bull became the best of buddies. They both went with me everywhere. But as the years traveled, the boys became old and feeble and eventually passed away leaving a huge hole in my heart. My remaining small pack of wolfdogs were then taken over by Wolf Connection (http://www.wolfconnection.org/) and Villalobos remained with the Pit Bulls. Living among the most controversial dogs in the world have taught me that all things are not what they appear. And all I can think of is that silly old cliche' of "Don't judge a book by its cover". If only our cruel society would take the time to open that book and read the pages within. The world would be a better place. So on the next full moon, think of Villalobos and the "first dog" created. Remember it is they who are responsible for saving your breed, your favorite dog - The American Pit Bull Terrier.

36 comments:

  1. This is awesome! I am so glad you got Villalobos started! What a great story!

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  2. Love it...your cause is great and I want to help in any way I can. I will be sending blankets soon and already bought a hoodie. You are an inspiration and a great person. Thanks.

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  3. Pit-bulls howling at the moon, that is a beautiful image =o)

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  4. Oh how I know about that hole in the heart. Sometimes there is nothing that will fill it. I have try to fill it with my rescues' love but sometime their love isn't enough the hole is to great. I had my Shiba for 12 yrs. He was 14 on his passing. He left the biggest hole in my heart.
    I am so glad you have this rescue and is able to share you passion with us.
    Thanks Tia.

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  5. Just beautiful! Brought a tear (or few) to my eye. Love what you have done and are still doing.

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  6. Tia, you are simply amazing. There is no better name than Villalobos for they are still wolf dogs through their ancestry.

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  7. A beautiful tribute to your founding members. It's amazing where your rescue has taken you and we all look forward to seeing the awesome works your future holds. Keep fighting the good fight and educating the masses!

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  8. I would rather live in a world with only dogs than in a world with any humans. No deception or mistrust, only love and loyalty

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  9. I wish I was strong enough to do what you do. You are truly an inspiration.

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  10. A very touching story, definitely brought tears to my eyes.

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  11. That's awesome :) My dog, Jada, has changed my life a lot too. She is my 1st dog and happens to be a pitbull. She is the reason I have become so passionate about the breed, and you are the person I admire most! Thank you for all that you do and if you wanna see my baby, check out my new blog. Not much but just a start. http://jaderpataters.blogspot.com
    My goal is to not only show off my little beauty, but to share some cool pitbull stuff with my friends and family...

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  12. Tia, I just gotta tell you, you are a beautiful and amazing person!! We need more people like you! I've done my share of rescuing animals and actually keeping most of them but nothing compared to what you've done and still do. I so admire you!! And your my inspiration to try to do more. God bless you, your family, the parolees in all you do. I Love ya, T.

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  13. My neighbor has a wolf named Tyson. He gets all the dogs in the neighborhood, which is full of pits and chihuahuas, going a couple of times a day. When this happens, I think about Villalobos, and Tia, and the kids...and everyone out there busting ass to take care of the dogs. Its like my daily moment of peace for you all. I know it would be more helpful if I were independently wealthy, and could send dough instead of good energies, so I'm working on that next. :)

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  14. The howling in the night would be cool. We dont get much of that in MN, at least not in the cities.

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  15. Tia.....you are a magnificent person. I love everything you do and everything you stand for. I've always had a passion for dogs and wolves. I especially love the APBT. Thank you for everything that you do. It is my hope that one day i can meet you and maybe even adopt a wonderful dog from you. :D

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  16. I'm glad you wrote this, I've been meaning to look up what Villalobos means. Now not only do I know what it means, but also how it became and what it means to you. Have you thought about writing a memoir?? You should! I KNOW it would be a bestseller. Maybe a great way to keep funds rolling in too?? I'm sure someone would publish it non-profit, everybody likes a tax break :) Keep up the great work you awe inspiring, tough, beautiful lady!

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  17. I love what you are doing. It takes a lot of courage to stand up against all of society and show them the positives about this breed. I come from a family that believes those terrible lies and its really hard to try to tell them that their behavior is often taught not their genetics. I totally am inspired by all that you do for these dogs!

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  18. What you do everyday is what I would love to be doing! I am so in awe of your mission, drive and determination to educate the public about pit bulls and to be an advocate for this terribly misunderstood breed.

    My pit was a rescue who I found "dumped" at the local SPCA--he was literally sitting in the summer heat at the front door of the building, which had closed for the day. Despite the obvious neglect and his awful physical condition, which included advanced heartworm, hookworms and the most unbelievable tick infestation I have EVER seen, this little brindle boy still trusted me enough to get in my car and come home with me. My sister now has him and another pit she rescued, and he is enjoying the pampered life he so deserves!

    Thank you for everything you do to promote a culture of understanding of this wonderful breed of dog!

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  19. Thank you Tia and AJ for everything you do. Your tv show a helped me thew a hard time in my life. I will come see you when my oldest pitbull Gauge does one day pass away to rescue one of your older pitbulls in need of a forever home. Your story of how Villalobos came to be is breath taking and touched my hart. Also thank you Cujo for being such a good dog. Im sure that he is in haven with my pitbull Bronx howling into the night even as

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  20. Tia - You are just an AmAzInG person . The country NeEdS to hear this breeds side of the story and you are that woman!!! THank you a MILLLLLLLLIOOOON times for everything you do. You are just FREAKING AWESOME!!!! thank you! <3 Trip, Trap, Champ and Me =)

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  21. Tia, You and all family members are AWESOME, tha care and commpassion you give these dogs is unimagible, the work , the time , the dedication it takes to do what you do on a daily basis!!!! Not to mention the compassion of the breed you've instilled in your followers!! You are an ambassador of of the human animal as well as K-9s!

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  22. Did you know the RCA dog from the old ads is a Pitbull, my grandmother worked there I have the old stuff animal

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  23. God certainly has blessed you and your family, Tia Torres. Keep up the good work. I am praying for all of you.. :))

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  24. Tia I just wanted to say I love what you are doing with the pitbulls. It is a shame that so many people are uneducated about the breed. I myself have 5. My husband and I waited until we had children to get our very first pitbull. He used to have some before we got together and talked me into it. Just like some people when I heard the word pitbull I was kind of nervous. He reassured me that we would pick one out that would be suitable for our family. Once we bought our first one I was hooked. My 2 girls, when asked if they have other siblings, will tell people they have 3 brothers and 2 sisters. Keep up the good work and hope all goes well with the new location.

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  25. IM SPEACHLESS... THIS IS A GREAT FUNDATION! I THINK NOONE ELSE HAVE DONE SOMETHING LIK THIS, ND THTS FABULOUS! SPECIALLY BCUZ U SAVE THEM ND U CAN SHOW ALL DA AUDIENCE THAT THE PIT BULLS ARE EXELENTS DOGS AND FRIENDS AND THEY CAN BECOME PART OF DA FAMILY! I LIVE IN MEXICO STATE ND I ALLWAYS WATCH UR PROGRAM, HOPE U GET MORE DONATIONS SO U CAN STILL HELP DIS AMAZING ANIMALS!! GOD BLESS ALL OF U FOR HELPING ALL DIS DOGS!
    RUBEN TORRES

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  26. I just want to say thank you for what you are doing with those wonderful dogs it means a lot to me and my family of pitbull lovers thank you so much and god bless

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  27. I have to say it was nice finding that you spent the time to write this.. Although i come through searching for villalobos years later (because my dogs and I enjoy watching your show) to see that you put so much effort just to explain tha name means alot. I am an owner of 2 bullys.. And Ill probably never own another breed.. They are my heart.. My sons playmates.. My cuddle buddies at night.. Keep on keepin on lady.. Ur helping more than you know <3<3<3

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  28. This is so heartwarming and inspiring :) ive always wanted to kno how it was started and where the name came from. I want to open my own animal rescue one day (hopefully soon),not just for dogs but for cats and other animals too,but i dont even know where to begin :/. Where did u get the money to even start your rescue?

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  29. You, your daughters, and your parolees are an inspiration to EVERYONE!
    Your rescue, and your show prove "don't judge a book by its cover"

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