“Goodbye; me and Sandy will be together for ever.
Me and Sandy will never be parted again.”

Dear Premier,
Feb 23rd is fast approaching,the date for the 2nd Reading of Hershey`s Bill.
I hope you will think long and hard about the chaos and heartache that you (and most of your Party) have caused and continue to cause in Ontario since you brought BSL here in 2005.


I`m very surprised that there hasn`t yet been a Suicide or a Suicide by Cop in Ontario due to BSL.

I know what I felt like when I came home one night in 2007 after having my pit bull terrier Mac euthanized due to illness.
The grief was overwhelming,I could barely breathe and there were times that I felt as if I couldn`t live without him.
But there was no anger directed at anyone,no guilt as I had done everything I could for him,there was just extreme sadness which very slowly abated over time as I began to reflect on the moments of his life rather than on the moment of his death.

Pets die,they die from old age,they die from illness but they shouldn`t die simply because of the way they look.

As I talk to people in my area about what your Gov`t is doing I find there is very little outrage because they are just killing "those dogs"
I show them the facts which they don`t know because they`ve gotten all their "facts" from the Media and Politicians with some sort of Political agenda.
Then I ask them what they would do if A/C or a Police Officer showed up at their door to try and seize their pet,not because of anything the pet has done but simply because of the way it looks.
I get quite a different reaction.
Some people have told me "over my dead body"
Some people who have no family but their pet have told me "it would kill me if I lost my pet that way"

I do believe that it`s not a matter of if there`s going to be a suicide or an act of violence in this Province because of BSL but rather when and where.

I really hope I`m wrong because I will get no satisfaction from sitting down at my computer and sending out an email to the Premier of Ontario which reads...

Dear Premier,
I told you so.
Will you listen now ?

"As noted earlier, breed-based legislation has not worked elsewhere and will not be effective in Ontario. For that reason, there is not a single respected organization with expertise in this issue that supports a breed-based ban.

Faced with all this evidence, the OVMA urges the province to reject breed-based legislation as a means of addressing the dangerous dog issue and to sit down with animal experts to craft legislation that will truly safeguard the public from dangerous dogs. "

Premier you can throw your support behind this Bill now because it`s the right thing to do or you can keep up the charade that this is about Public Safety.

I would suggest that you throw your support behind Bill 16 sooner rather than later because this fight to protect these dogs and restore the Rights of Ontarians is never going to end and a suicide due to Gov`t Bullying is not going to look good on your Resume.


"...the coroner Mr Jones said that Mr Amston’s position changed from having a family pet to being the owner of something which in the eyes of the law was dangerous and had to be controlled, Mark Amston had his dog put down and the following day he hanged himself. The Coroner said: “In this case it was a family pet that had to be put down, not a fierce animal. There was no evidence that this dog was fierce. I think the lesson from this death is that legislation should be based on reason and not on panic.”"

Will Ontario learn from Mark Amston`s suicide before it`s too late?

Somehow I doubt that grieving family members will want to pose with the Premier of Ontario for a photo-op
as he announces the Repeal of BSL in Ontario because he finally has learned the lesson the hard way.

(Sent to the Premier and the A.G. on Jan 19, cc'd to the Ottawa Citizen,forwarded to Cabinet Ministers on Jan 21)

Cigarettes

Weapons

Humans

...and now the smugglers have another "product" which they will gladly provide to anyone for the right price.

Congratulations Ontario Liberals,you've successfully promoted family pets as "bada$$" dogs and turned them into contraband.

Perhaps another useless Task Force can be formed to deal with the problem you've created.

But hey you keep taking short haired mutts away from the good,law abiding,responsible dog owners of Ontario.

On the surface it may look like you'e doing something constructive...to blind fools,that is.


Psst....wanna buy some "contraband" Premier?
I may know a guy who knows a guy....
All you've done Premier...is drive up the price.
Was that your intent?

Either they don't know about your little,unenforceable law or they simply don't care.
My money is on that 2nd scenario because I've spoken to cigarette smugglers and they've heard that it's illegal.

Foster Spot Available for certain Ontario dogs

If you think death in a shelter is preferable to doing whatever is necessary to provide a safe spot for a dog
(maybe crate and rotate when everyone needs to be in house)
or if you think the use of an "Adoption Specialist" is required to place an animal in a great home with existing animals please stop reading now and move on.
If you think certain dogs are different from other dogs you can also move on.
We`re not on the same page.

If you think special care has to be taken with certain dogs not because of the dogs themselves but because of idiots who might want to harm them or because of the Media...we`re on the same page.

Home is in Eastern Ontario
Large Fenced Yard
Property backs onto River for swimming,boating and fishing for a dog that likes to swim or go out on paddle boat/canoe.
Small pool available for those who just like to play in water but don`t care to swim.

See pictures of the Property and my pets here.
(My dog is the Lab look-a-like and I also have 3 cats)

My qualifications?

Long time dog and cat owner and more importantly an adult with common sense.

Old enough to remember those days?
We didn`t need a Phd in "Dog"
We went and looked in the cages,saw a dog we liked,paid for it,agreed to neuter it(they trusted us),took it home and loved it until death did us part.
No dog courses or 6ft fences required.
If you`d like to apply to place a dog here you can contact me by email or phone(9-10pm) if you already have my contact info, otherwise leave your contact info in guest book(It will not go online) I will contact you by email within a week.

Spot is available for either a Rescued dog,a dog waiting to be rescued or an individual who is “dealing” with Ontario.

References will be required for both Rescues(Your Vet at least) and
Individuals
(Vet and couple other references will be required).
I will provide you with my References after speaking to you if I`m interested in fostering for you.

On Wed Nov 30,2011 Conservative MPP Randy Hillier tabled Bill 16(Hershey`s Bill),a Bill which will repeal the Breed Specific portions of the Dog Owner`s Liability Act(DOLA) and the Animals for Research Act(ARA).
This Bill was also co-sponsored by NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo and Liberal MPP Kim Craitor.

You can read more about it here and leave a comment to show your support for the Repeal.
You don`t have to be from Ontario to show your support.

MPP Randy Hillier introducing Bill 16(Hershey`s Bill)

BEYOND THE MYTH

Canadian Showings

WLYM

Check out links on right and Mac Barks Back
if you`re looking for some helpful info on "Pit Bulls" and BSL

WLYM

WLYM

When his head started to grow,I started to receive some strange looks and some rather odd comments from a few people about him.

Prior to the head growth spurt,I was getting a lot of cooing and ahhs and oohs and isn`t he cute and adorable.

I was still getting that from most people.

But there were people saying that he was a Pit Bull.
(We didn`t use quotes around "Pit Bull" back then,it wasn`t a dirty word and it didn`t result in a death sentence)

I was quite taken aback that I might have a Pit Bull.

Remember, this was back in 1996.

I had heard a few stories about Pit Bulls.

None of which would make me run out and look for one to adopt.

So I though it`s time to CALL THE VET.


Mac had an interesting start in life.

He was going to blog his story.

Quite a few people around the world had taken a fancy to Mac and had written to him asking for more info.

Mac became ill before he was able to finish and post that entry.

So I have edited it and finished it for him

I walked into a local Veterinary Clinic one day to say hi.

I used to do that,I knew the Vet well and the receptionist even better.

She had this cute little puppy on her lap.

It was obvious that she was trying to type while holding him and I wondered what was going on.

So she proceeded to tell me his story.

He had been in with Parvo virus.

Is he better I asked?

Yes he`s fine.

Is he going home today?

No,he`s just sitting on my lap because he won`t stop barking when I put him back in his kennel and he`s driving us crazy!

She proceeded to tell me that he was now also being held for an unpaid Vet Bill which was quite high at that point.

I wasn`t told any other details of his case.

His name wasn`t Mac back then,it was Blue.

I doubt that people can see via the Internet but he had a beautiful brown eye and an equally beautiful blue eye.

He had a very distinct look for that reason.

So Blue became my best little buddy.

I would drop in and visit him back in his kennel so the receptionist could get some work done and I would take him out in their yard.

I was already falling in love with him.

I was glad he wasn`t going home quite yet.

But I never ran in to his family.

Where were they?

Were they trying to get the money?

What was going on?

This had been going on for a couple of weeks.

Finally I was filled in.

There was a little more to the story.

Yes he had Parvo(recovered) and yes there was an unpaid Vet Bill but the owner had claimed that the Police had accidentally left the door open when they paid him a visit(Raided his place) and Blue had gotten out and had been hit by a car.

Hit by a car.....sick with Parvo......I could see where there might be some confusion.

Owner wanted the Police to pay the Vet Bill.

The Police are brighter than that.

Before signing the cheque,they thought they should verify this claim.

Quick visit to the Vet should clear up the confusion.

"Has this dog been hit by a car?"

We have really smart Vets here also.

"No,he had Parvo Virus,he was not hit by a vehicle"

I must try that next time when I`m handed a Veterinary Bill.

Many phone calls between Vet,owner,some "Breeder" offering to take the dog and pay 1/2 the Bill.

Naturally the Vet wants to be paid and it`s looking like this might not be the best home or "breeder" to have this dog.

Meanwhile Blue(Mac) is driving everyone crazy with his barking.

He absolutely does not want to be in his kennel.

He doesn`t even want to be on the floor.

He wants to be in someone`s lap while she`s trying to type,answer phones,keep her job.

So I offer a solution.

I`ll take him home as a favor to everyone.

When the Bill is paid,Blue will go back.

Everybody will be happy.

So we stuff Blue(Mac) in my cat carrier and I take him home.

My Doberman and my cats aren`t too sure about him but I assure them it`s only temporary.

Well he has a great old time,running through the fields,chasing cats and annoying the Dobe

He even stops barking.

I keep checking to see if the Vet Bill is being paid down.

Nothing is happening.

Well this can`t go on for ever.

Enter Lawyers.

I told you Blue(Mac)had an interesting beginning.

Lawyer`s advice to Vet

Post notices in all local Newspapers,telling the owner that he has a fixed amount of time to pay this Bill,after which time, ownership ceases.

I`m sure that is not exactly the legal jargon used but you get my drift.

I wasn`t exactly sure what the plan was for Blue(Mac)if the Bill wasn`t paid.

I had to ask.

I`m told he`ll more than likely be put down.

Now I`m both worried that the Bill will be paid(he goes back to this "good" owner) and I`m worried that the Bill won`t be paid.(He`ll die)

So I pipe up with "Well even if the owner can pay your Bill,who is going to pay my Bill for boarding him?"

There really is no "Boarding Bill" but I don`t want this dog to go back to this owner.

I then add "If the owner doesn`t pay,I would be willing to cancel my Bill and just keep the dog but I`m not willing to pay the Veterinary Bill,it will save you the additional cost of euthanizing him."

The deadline passes.

The Owner cannot pay the Bill.

The Vet will not give the dog to the "breeder" for 1/2 the Bill.

The Vet likes me,likes the dog,doesn`t really want to euthanize him,MAC IS NOW A PERMANENT RESIDENT and the Doberman and cats aren`t thrilled but they learn to love him.


Fast forward a month or 2 to the ever expanding head and comments by people and MY CALL TO THE VET

"What is this dog and what is going on with the head and why are people calling him a Pit Bull?"

Vet says that`s what he is and actually calls him an American Staffordshire Terrier(which I had never heard of and now I`m pretty sure that Mac would not be identified as an AmStaff,not even an unregistered one bred by this "breeder" that contacted the Vet).

PANIC(sort of) SETS IN

Can you imagine if this had happened today.

I had only heard a couple of stories back then.

I didn`t know what to think when I heard them.

I didn`t bother do any research.

I didn`t know if Pit Bull was a breed,didn`t really care,this really didn`t concern me.

I didn`t know anyone that owned one,the Gov`t wasn`t killing them(at least not in Ontario),I didn`t know they were being abused all over the world.

Well I was smitten by that point,so he was staying.

My own brother was warning me about him.

He had heard even more stories than I had.

He lived near Toronto.

He was sure that I would wake up and this dog would have me by the throat.

He came to visit.

His kids weren`t allowed out of the car and he certainly wasn`t going to stay at my place with them.

That`s ok,that`s why we have Motels.

I have to admit I slept with one eye open for a couple of nights.

I watched him like I have NEVER watched another dog.

I watched for those "warning signs" that he was about to turn.

Funny thing is, that I have since learned this "fact" from the Media and the BSL Politicians.

"THEY ATTACK WITHOUT GIVING OFF ANY WARNING SIGNS"

Hahahahaha

He would race around at breakneck speeds.

I learned the hard way not to try and outguess him.

One day while playing out in the front field, he stopped and zoomed in on me with a very eerie determined look.

Oh oh,I was still "watching" him,just in case.

Was this it?

Was I enjoying my final moments on earth before he took me down.

As he barreled towards me,I had to make some quick decisions,run or stay put.

I decided to stay put(sort of).

As he approached,I thought he`s going to kill me just by running into me at that speed

I made a last minute bad decision.

I decided to zig,so did he.

Unfortunately we both zigged in the same direction.

We collided and he was on top of me.

I could hardly stand the licking,slobbering and the kisses.

I almost forgot about my injuries from the collision.

I learned that day that I didn`t have to "watch" him,didn`t have to sleep with one eye open and he didn`t want to kill the cats.

Hell-o,I wasn`t able to encourage him to kill groundhogs.

He wanted to play with them.

We went on to have many,many great years together.





My education on "Pit Bulls" really kicked into high gear when Bill 132 was introduced and you know the rest of the story!

"Mac`s Gang" fights on in memory of our special little guy.

There are days I wish that Blue`s owner had just paid that Vet Bill
because once you have loved a "Pit Bull" or you have taken the time to know the truth,
you can NEVER again turn your back on these dogs but then the fog of fatigue and discouragement lifts and the fighting spirit returns and I`m very happy that he couldn`t pay his Bill.


Feb 14/09-Forever remembered

WLYM

Update-Jan 26

News just received from Diane Jessup of LawDogs

[quote] Great dog, but just not quite enough interest in the ball when challenged with other distractions. He is a lovely, non dog aggressive dog who has someone who loves him very much waiting for him, which sure makes it easier for me! I want to thank very much all those who helped me test Bandit out... Here's hoping we do get another Ontario dog in the program some day.[/quote]

I would like to thank Diane for giving Bandit this great opportunity as a LawDog Prospect.

This is a great program people.Please support LawDogs.

Update-Jan 25/08

We just got some potentially really good news re LawDogs Recruit Bandit

Straight from Diane Jessup(LawDogs)

[quote]BIG THANK YOU to Ledy VanKavage (ASPCA) and Jane Berkey (AFF) who set up an opportunity for me and Steve to fly back to Illinois and meet with the annual Chiefs of Police meeting.
Some VERY GOOD stuff has come from this meeting, and I just got the official word that a very exciting opportunity has opened up for at least one LawDog with a prestigious department.
I have Bandit in mind for this placement as the dog will have to live in a multidog household and he's the dude for that.
So, I'm frantically working on the old boy!
THANKS TO EVERYONE who helped get Bandit to this point - keep your fingers crossed! [/quote]

We`re keeping our fingers,toes and paws crossed in this household Bandit!

Update-Jan 17/08

Bandit`s first photo from LawDogs

Note:NO MUZZLE!



[quote] And this is "Bandit" from Ontario, Canada.
Bandit is so busy running and playing with Receuit Tonka, this is the only shot I could get of him!
Bandit's foster parents for the past few months
(while I was waiting for funds to start back up)
were Sabina DelGobbo and Shawn Liscombe.
The shelter worker who spotted Bandit was Angie Closs, Georgina Shelter, Ontario, Canada.
Thanks to Sharon Hewitt who coordinated the whole "Team Bandit"..[/quote]


Update-Jan 14/08

Just to let folks know,Bandit has arrived Safely in Washington and has been picked up by Diane Jessup.He is hunkered down for the night and there will be more news tomorrow.
As I`m sure everyone can understand,this has been a long day for Bandit and a difficult day for his Foster family.

Update-Jan 13/08

"CRIMINAL" GETS SET TO MORPH INTO K9 COP!

Well tomorrow is the big day.

Bandit gets to stop looking like a criminal and starts to train to catch criminals.

Bandit &Omen(It`s Omen,I was mistaken-Amber is Bandit`s other housemate)
(muzzled due to Ontario`s Law)
with Foster mom Sabina and Foster Dad Shawn
(Amber was taking the pictures,we told you these were smart dogs!)





Update from Bandit
Jan 10/08

[quote] So it's finally time for me to go apparently. My Mommy says my flight is booked and she is bustling around trying to get everything ready for me to go. I am not really sure yet where I am going but Mommy says there is tons of balls, lots of ropes, and plenty of treats so I am sure I will like it there.
I can remember a long time ago, Mommy was on the phone telling her friend about how crazy I am with my ball. That's when the lady told her about lawdogs. I went to her friends place and we played ball for a long time. When we were done she said I was absolutely Lawdog material, whatever that means. Shortly after we spent the whole day in the country while someone video taped me and Mommy playing. It was the best day ever. Everyone was paying attention to me and everyone wanted to play the funnest games with me. I got to play with my ball all day! It was so great. Well Mommy told me I was accepted and one day I would get to go there and about how much fun it was there but now I am going so soon!!! I really hope they like me there and I really hope they do have lots of balls there. I only got 12 balls for Christmas and I have destroyed most of them. I think I might have one left. Well I gotta go eat my dinner and then go for my walk. I will update in a few days but the excitement is the air already!

Oh,before I go I want to thank a few people: There was a wonderful lady at the shelter who saw something special in me and she went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure I was safe from harm and she helped to get me out of the shelter to safety.

Her name was ANGIE CLOSS from the GEORGINA SHELTER.
I think I overheard that she`s going to come to see me before I leave.I`ll be thrilled to see her.

Next I really want to thank
 my foster mom SABINA DelGOBBO and my foster dad SHAWN LISCOMBE.

They took me in,provided for me,gave me tons of love,toys and treats.
I`m a really well behaved dog because of them.
I wasn`t always an angel(who is?) but I did my best.

Next I would like to thank
 my canine buddies Amber and Omen.



Some people call Omen,OWEN(not mentioning any names)
They welcomed me into their space and shared their parents with me.
I wish I could explain to them where I`m going but I`m not quite clear on that myself,yet.
I`ll miss them.

Next I`d like to thank the supporters who joined my Facebook group and threw their support behind me,(It`s not too late to join!-It send`s a message to the Gov`t that you`re proud of me)

I`d like to thank Diane Jessup and her fine organization LawDogsUSA for giving me a chance to become a K9.
I promise I will work hard and try my best to learn everything I need to know to earn my LawDogs vest and badge(Do we get a badge?).

And last but not least I would like to thank Zak George
(Extreme Dog Trainer and YouTube videographer)
for featuring my video "Destined to Die in Ontario" on his channel for a # of days.
Zak has brought a lot of attention to me,LawDogs and the Ontario Legal Challenge.
Please show your support for Zak.
He donates all proceeds as a YouTube partner to Animal rescue.

Anyway,I`m getting tired so I`m off,I may update again before I leave and there definitely will be pictures of me taken at the airport as I embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
Please follow my career and please donate to LawDogsUSA so they can continue to show the world the truth.
And there are a lot of dogs that look like us that just want to be family pets,so please don`t forget the Ontario Legal Challenge.

Talk to you later.

Bandit

Psst
Are you in the market for a bumper sticker?



This is K9 Neville(from Ontario),but someday I hope I`ll have my own bumper sticker! [/quote]

Update

Bandit must be at the airport at 7am Jan 14/08.

A "threat" in Ontario will now leave Ontario,Canada and try out to be a Bomb or Narcotics Detection K9 for LawDogsUSA

Warning!
There are a couple of graphic images in the LawDogs video(1st one)
But if you can`t stomach them,how do you think the dogs feel?

Support LawDogsUSA

It`s going to put our dogs back in the headlines as heroes also!

WLYM

After viewing this video,I wrote to Wallace and Roo.

[quote]Dear Roo and Wallace,
I left a comment on the video but I wanted to drop you a line also.
This video is beautiful and I`ve posted it.
I`ve always thought the American Anthem was beautiful but it has never brought tears to my eyes before.
Your rendition with Wallace has done that.
Congratulations to both of you!
It`s absolutely incredible what you are accomplishing with him.
Keep up the great work.
Would you do the Canadian Anthem for us some day?[/quote]

Today I got a nice email from Roo and Wallace

[quote]Thanks Jamie.
I'll see about learning your anthem so if I'm ever in Canada and you need it sung,I'll be ready.
Thanks for posting the video and helping spread the message.
Roo[/quote]