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.