Yesterday afternoon, Amanda Arms posted this message on her Facebook wall:

I didn’t know Amanda at the time, nor were we Facebook friends…but my wedding photographer was.

Around noon, Jennie (who knows I couldn’t turn down a loving pit bull) sent me an email mentioning what she saw on Facebook. I asked her to have Amanda contact me.

Around 8pm last night, Michael and I became foster parents. — Upon meeting this very sweet dog, Michael and I couldn’t help but take him in and work at finding an adoptive family for him from the warmth of our home. We gave him a bath too : )

By 3pm this afternoon, “Turbo” had a new adoptive family (I even had backup adoption offers based on my own Facebook post. I think Amanda did too).

So within just 2 days, Turbo went from being a lonely stray, to living in Amanda’s garage, to living in my spare bedroom, to living with his new family — all because of one Facebook post.

This whole situation made me feel awesome. I felt good that I was able to help save a stray from the pound (and possibly euthanasia). I felt happy that social media once again proved its worth in a charitable situation. And I feel empowered to make this scenario happen again.

Michael and I are hoping to foster another pit soon…and hopefully repeat what happened today. We even tossed around the idea of one day starting our own pit bull rescue…one day.

But the real reason I’m writing this post is because I hope this story inspires other people to send a few tweets or Facebook posts next time a cold stray shows up on their door!

A few days ago, I received a link to an article via Facebook about pit bulls, fatal dog attacks and breed specific legislation.

The Parade Magazine story angered me, because it’s flawed with incorrect info and the author clearly spent little to no time doing research on the matter. It’s because of articles like this that people start thinking BSL is the answer…and it’s not! It’s also become of loaded statements like:

“Dogs have killed at least 20 Americans so far this year, including a 3-day-old infant, a 20-year-old man, and an elderly couple last month alone. In two of the three attacks, the killers were pit bulls.”

…that pits continue to be feared. (So a sample of only three examples is large enough to create a statistic now?!) It’s INCORRECT to believe that pits are the only dogs that bite and kill or even that they are any more dangerous than other breeds. All breeds of dogs can bite or kill, but the media is so obsessed with “the mean pit bull” right now that everyone thinks all pits are evil dogs.

Did you know: In a recent study of 122 dog breeds by the American Temperament Testing Society, pit bulls had a passing rate of 85.3%. That was better than miniature poodles (76.6%), beagles (80.3%), collies (79.4%), even the golden retriever (84.6%)!!! (via American Temperament Testing Society.)

Did you get that? The American Pit Bull Terrier has a BETTER temperament than your beloved golden retriever! And yet breeds that fall into the “pit bull” category are being banned in cities all over the US.

It’s frustrating that this amazing breed (or rather group of breeds) is unfairly judged because of proliferation by the media of false or misleading information. No, I’m not saying a pit hasn’t ever killed someone…but other dogs do too! It just so happens that those stories are buried while “Pit Bull Kills Baby” makes the front page every time. In addition, it’s become common practice for the media to call every dog that kills someone a “pit bull”…when sometimes it’s actually a boxer, a lab or some other breed.

I could go on for days about this (which you all know by now), but I’m going to end it here and get back to work. To bring this back around so that this post falls within my usual topic range: When writing an article, please do your research so you can accurately report both sides of the story! (I’m talking to you, Parade!)

I’ve made it pretty clear that aside from being a PR pro and social media enthusiast, I’m also an advocate for “pit bull” breeds. I’m the proud mommy of a 2-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier and a 10-month-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier – both amazing dogs who are commonly misunderstood due to their breed type.

So dog fighting is not something I take lightly…which is why today I’m denouncing my love for the Philadelphia Eagles. Yesterday, they announced that Michael Vick signed a two-year contract with the team, and so I just have to take a stand. I’ve been a fan since I was a 4-year-old Jersey girl, but I’m done now.

The end. Want to read more of my thoughts on Michael Vick? Check out another post I’ve done: Dear Michael Vick: I Hate You

PS: Don’t forget to pick up a Michael Vick Chew Toy for your furry friends!