TIA'S SEASON FINALE PARTY

Well its my version of a party. But then again, I tend to be all work and no play. Last weekend a hard working and very dedicated group of volunteers came up to the mountain and helped prepare for the first exercise areas for the dogs. What a surprise for me when I only expected them to get thru one area when they.....GOT THRU FOUR AREAS!! We made some great new friends and if not for them, our dogs wouldn't have a great surprise to look forward to. In the next couple of weeks, everyone will get to see the results of their hard work!

BIG TRUCKS, BIG DOGS AND EVEN BIGGER FRIENDSHIPS

This winter has been a tough one. Probably one of the hardest we've ever been thru. And as always, the dogs are always tucked in and warm and toasty. They are the priority here. I tell my staff and kids...the dogs come first....I don't care how cold and wet you get, just make sure those dogs aren't subjected to Mother Nature. But let's face it, without the proper equipment our lives are miserable and difficult. With the new move to 5800 feet elevation, snow is a given....though not as much as we experienced a few weeks ago. So a group of people got together to make the VRC family "bigger" and "tougher". A few weeks ago we were given approximately $20,000 worth of equipment and upgrades to our vehicles to prepare us for mountain living and our next Winter Wonderland. The twins: Kanani and Keli'i took our work vehicles up North to hang out with the folks at BenLifted. Not only are Ben and Kendra awesome truck people, Kendra is also the adopter of our dog Barbie!! So for a week straight the twins and Barbie's people, made our trucks into "Monster Mountain Trucks" with big tires, lift kids, heavy duty suspension and equipment to pull us out of every mud/snow/stuck in a ravine situation you could think of. Now we're ready for the new location and we couldn't have done it without the following people:

BENLIFTED

BDS SUSPENSIONS

IRON CROSS BUMPERS

WARN WINCH

MICKEY THOMPSON WHEELS

BIG O TIRES

BRO PRINTING

FIRST ADOPTION OF 2011 !!!!!!

A very happy day today. Harrison our "Plab" (that's a Pit/Lab mix or at least that's what we call them) went to a new home today. But not just any home. He left for Washington to learn what it takes to become a narcotics detection dog (drug dog). Harrison has been here for about a year and he has been one of our more difficult dogs to adopt out. This is due to his "working" behavior: meaning this dog constantly wanted a job to do. He was 24/7 on!!!! And if not for the dedication of our volunteer trainer Melanie from Paws to Luv, we never would've known how insane Harrison was for a ball or toy. These are the characteristics needed to become a good drug or bomb dog and Harrison appears to have what it takes. Thank you Don Leahan from North West LawDog Rescue for taking him but most importantly thank you Melanie for seeing Harrison's talent and not giving up on him. It is because of you an only you, that he is now on his way to being a cool dog with a cool job.

THE SEEING EYE, INC. SAVES THE DAY

They say that sometimes help comes from places unexpected. So imagine our surprise when UPS brought us a garage full of warm and snuggly blankets from The Seeing Eye, Inc., an organization that assists with dogs that assist the visual impaired. And of course Jake just had to try them out and they absolutely got his stamp of approval. Thank you sooooo much Michelle Barlak and Nancy Fondaco.

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.

THE REAL ARNOLD

So the Calif Governor "Arnold" is out! "Hasta la vista, babee". But we have the real deal. Our 100 lb. Arnold is a part of our Pit Pal program and he needs a sponsor. Don't listen to what they say about him.....I mean c'mon...just look at this face. HEHEHEHE

OUT OF THE PITS AND INTO THE LIVINGROOM

Its the same question over and over: Can a fighting dog be rehabilitated? Of course, those of us who know our breed so well, know the answer without even hesitating. But its those nasty ole politicians and law makers and of course those insane "haters" that just can't seem to see things for what they are. So we as lovers of this wonderful, have to constantly remind them. And this reminder comes to us from Kaboose. Confiscated by L.A.City Animal Services during a dog fighting raid, Pit Bulls and Pit mixes of all sizes and shapes were taken in to a local shelter in South Central Los Angeles. Eventually we were called in to take some and what gems they turned out to be. Kaboose never really showed the signs of a "fighting" dog but she was a little spicy for a short while. After spending time here at the rescue, we noticed that the big doe eyed Pit mix, was becoming increasing good around other dogs. So after years of getting passed up by adopters, this past year was Kaboose's year. From the depths of a Hell, she now spends her time as a full fledged couch potato watching episodes of "Pit Bulls & Parolees".

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

It's been a rough few weeks. The weather up here has been kicking our asses. Rain, snow, wind, you name it, we've had it. I'm getting used to the mountain elements but no matter how tough I think I am, getting bogged down in 3 feet of snow, is not my idea of a good time. So this weekend, the adopter of our "Barbie" is going to pimp out my Jeep and our other ranch vehicles. We are so fortunate that Barbie's mommy "Kendra" and "Uncle Ben" of Ben-Lifted of Scotts Valley, CA. have gotten together with other generous companies to get us ready for the winter weather. Stay tuned as we keep you updated and show you the progress of what these great people are doing to help us, help the dogs!