Kids are cool!

I got to go visit a school filled with all kinds of fun kids. The teacher explained where I came from so they could see how much happier I am with a better life and a loving home. I guess many of the kids probably have seen other dogs like me that aren't treated that good. I hope they remember how good of a dog I am, so they don't blame the dogs and think they're bad. I think I won them over though with my super-duper Hector charm! They were really fun to hang out with, too! They gave me all kinds of attention and pets, which is totally how it should be all the time. I hope I get to keep doing fun things like this all the time.

A bunch more of those camera things were following me around asking mom questions. She handled the people with the cameras really well, just like dad usually does. I made sure to help her out by being and extra special good boy, and since I was we got a bunch of stories told about us. I guess it even went out to something called the AP, so people from all over the country heard about my visit to the school. Here's what the nice people with cameras had to say.

WCCO article and video

KARE11 article and video

Star Tribune article (you may have to scroll down)

KSTP article and video

PEOPLEPets article

I think that's most of the bigger articles. I hope the kids liked hanging out with me as much as I liked hanging out with them. I also hope that this will help them continue to be nice people when they grow up, and treat other doggies nicely like they treated me. Thanks for the fun day!

H

#1 Fans

There have been plenty of times where people tell me they are Wallace and/or Hector's biggest fan. Just thought I'd let people know that the four legged fans are starting to give you all a run for your money. At this year's National Pit Bull Awareness Day walk put on by the Brew City Bully Club, we were welcomed by some pretty cool sweatshirts to show their support.



Wallace with his #1 fan Chopper, and Dominick with his hero.

This was a great event for second annual walk in the Milwaukee area. Thanks for the good times!

Roo

Wallace and the AWI World Championships

The disc dog competition over Labor Day weekend in Naperville, IL is never one to miss. This year they stepped it up to yet another level. Besides the always tough UFO Major on Saturday, Sunday was the one shot, winner take all AWI World Championships. Many discdoggers from the beginnings such as Ron Ellis, Mr. E, and Alex Stein (the owner of Ashley Whippet himself), along with many other greats of the sport were in attendance to tell stories from back in the day. Lori, the daughter of the co-founder of Wham-O (the company that invented the Frisbee) was even there to join in the festivities.

Heading into the weekend, Wallace and I were not clicking. I was trying to add some new stuff to our routine like I tend to do, but Wallace and I were not in sync. I began second guessing if Wallace and I still "had it." Wondering if I was doing something different to make things not work. Wondering if Wallace's previous injuries were catching up with him, and therefore wondering what I can realistically expect out of my canine teammate.

Saturday I entered us in freestyle only to take the field and feel things out for Sunday's AWI. That night, Josh Grenell gave me some advice that made everything come together. Sunday morning I was asked to kick things off by singing the National Anthem. I was honored and of course obliged, complete with Wallace laying at my side through the entire song. When it was our turn to take the field for round 1, it felt "right" again. We fell back in sync and were back to our old ways. That right there was worth the trip for me regardless of what the outcome would end up to be. With things clicking again, we rocked our first round and also had a good Toss and Catch round to put us in 3rd place going into the final freestyle round. Only a few tenths of a point separated 1st - 3rd, and with freestyle being our forte, we had first place in our sights.

2nd round I tend to lay it all out there, but unfortunately I am far from perfect. As a result, we sometimes fumble for not playing it safe. Unfortunately that was the case this time as I stumbled enough to lose sight of the AWI Championship and getting Wallace's name on the Lander Cup. However 2nd place in the biggest field of competitors we've competed against isn't too shabby for the broken down Pit Bull. If I had to do it all over again, I would do the same thing in a heart beat.

While the awards are nice, Wallace and I have always been out there to represent something more. We are out there to make a positive impact for a very misunderstood group of dogs. The minds that are changed as a result of watching us play are the true victories to me. Lori, who I mentioned before and who's father is responsible for the wide spread popularity of the Frisbee, told me afterwords that she was not sure about Pit Bulls and afraid of them. After watching us that weekend, her outlook was totally changed and was loving on Wallace that night outside the restaurant. How cool is that?! Another couple, unsure of Pit Bulls, was passing by and saw us during our Toss and Catch round. They followed us back to our tents to meet Wallace and asked to pet him! Gotta love it.... Wallace was definitely living up to his slogan that weekend - Changing Minds One Disc at a Time! And that is what it's all about!

Big congrats to all the competitors, especially Todd Murnan and Bella who took it home, and Danny Eggleston and Guinan in 3rd. It was an honor to be up on the podium with such great teams. Special thanks to Zeus and Co and Orijen Dog Foods for fueling my canine teammate! Also, thanks to Hero Disc USA, Total Performance, and The Good Dog Company for their support of the event. Big thanks to all the volunteers, judges and competitors for making the weekend such a memorable one. You all RAWK! Hopefully once things settle down a bit, I'll get my highlight video put together so you can see some Wallace action from that weekend.

Roo

Hector at the Beach.

 

Hector taking some time to inspect the beach scene in Lake City, MN.

Riverfest and the Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show!

This is a really late post, but good things come to those who wait, right? This past summer fellow disc doggers Chris Perondi and Abby Cline were putting on a great show with their very talented Extreme Canine Stunt Dog crew down in LaCrosse, WI for the Riverfest celebration. It's about an hour from where we live, so we took some time to go down and visit as well as join in the fun! Wallace and I were able to help open the show with some freestyle disc action to show the big crowds present a positive image of a Pit Bull. Chris helped out by pumping the breed while we were showing off as well! We had a great time performing and hanging out with friends down by the Mississippi River. Thanks to Chris Perondi and the Extreme Canines for inviting us down to throw some plastic. For more Extreme Canine action check out http://www.stuntdog.com/ Here's a video clip of Wallace and I opening the show. Photo by Chris Perondi. Video by Joshua Grenell.

Roo and Hector-Out for a walk

 

Roo and Hector out for a walk at Quarry Hill Nature Center.

More Dogs, Less Vick

Vick is getting a lot of press lately with his PR team working hard for him. It would be nice if he would be selfless enough to have his PR team work to get exposure for the dogs he abused as well, instead of just him. That's probably too much to expect at this point though. Regardless, we got some press on our own. Julia Lane, a writer and fellow discdogger, graciously referred the blog post request from The Bark Magazine to me to get my perspective instead of doing it herself. Thanks Julia for the opportunity. Click Here to check it out.

Also, a Duluth news team came down to do a piece on Hector to air Friday. The reporter was in love with Hector and even bought him a big biscuit for his hard work for the camera. Click Here to the video and news story.

Thanks to The Bark and Fox 21 for the pieces. As always, comments to let the reporters and organizations know you like coverage always help to get more in the future.

Hey Vick, how about an interview for Hector on 60 minutes?

Roo

Practice For the AWI

 

Roo and Wallace work on some new stuff for the AWI Championship.

Cool cool water.

 

Wallace gets a drink after a short practice session for the AWI World Finals in Chicago. The AWI Championship is on Sunday September 6th.

Vick reinstated......hmmmmm.........

I've met Vick......Not impressed.

The End.

Hey M-Guy, let's go for a walk.

- H

Wallace and Friends Visit Ohio

You've waited long enough. I finally got some video edited and some pictures downloaded. First the pictures, then the video. And yes, I know there is a Border Collie in there. That's Brian's BC Rocket. He took a lot of these pictures and kept me company on the trip, so I figured it only fair to include him in the slideshow. Photos courtesy of Marshall Smith, Brian Bruzek and Rocco Stellatano. Go Pit Bulls!

Wallace Qualifies for USDDN Nationals!

This weekend was a blast. Lots of drving, but well worth it. Brian, a fellow MN Discdogger, and his border collie Rocket joined me for the trip to Milford, OH. All of us bully folk know that Ohio has not been the best place to be if you're a Pit Bull, but fortunately state BSL was overturned a little while back. That's why it felt so cool to roll into Ohio and compete just outside of Cincinnati, which unfortunately still is not a good place to be if you're a Pit. The best part is that Wallace was not the only Pit Bull representing at the competition. The Bullies rocked the place and Wallace took 1st Place in Super Open Freestyle, qualifying for the USDDN National Finals. Wallace also qualified in Super Pro Toss and Catch, and won the Overall Weekend Award and a year's supply of Total Performance Dog Food. Thanks to the Southern Ohio Flying K9's for an amazing weekend of great times!

With the accomplishments from the weekend, Wallace has throughout his career qualified in every organization that holds qualifying events for a larger final event. This includes - AWI World Championships, UFO World Finals, Purina Incredible Dog Challenge National Finals, Skyhoundz World Finals (Pairs Freestyle; Individual Freestyle; and Distance/Accuracy), and now the USDDN National Finals (Freestyle; and Toss and Catch). Wallace Rocks!

I'm in the middle of editing video and waiting for some pictures to post, so stay tuned for pics and vid of Wallace and his friends Thelma and Belle at the Ohio Cup!

Roo

Roo and Wallace win USDDN Qualifier "Ohio Cup"

First place in the Super-Open Freestyle event!

More from Roo later.

jg

K9 Karnival and "Pit Bull Pomeranians"

M-Gal took me to the Rochesterfest K9 Karnival last weekend. I had sooooooo much fun, and was my typical charming self of course. They had Daschund races, but I was much more content sitting at the Chesney's Choices homemade treat booth demonstrating how yummy her treats are. I also made sure the booth always looked spotless by cleaning up all the crumbs left by the other dogs that were messier eaters. I'm such a good little worker dog. I guess the word is getting out about me cuz people heard and knew that I was there before I even met them.

In between my duties at the treat table, M-Gal let me make the rounds to meet new people and make some new doggie friends. There were 2 little foofy pomeranians that we came across. Their person said that the one might snark at me, but I'm the Hector Man! All the ladies love me! Well......all but this little pomeranian I guess. I just couldn't get her to like me. What's the deal with that?!? She kept trying to tell me off, but I just stood there wondering what the big deal was, and what it was in this perfect package that she was finding fault in. Their person said that they were Pit Bulls in little fluffy bodies. M-Gal said - "Well my dog IS a Pit Bull, and he's not acting like that." Ha Ha....good one M-Gal!

H

Wallace Documentary: Behind the Scenes.

The staff at Animal Ark gives Wallace some loving.

Wallace is a Media Machine

John Gross from KSTP Channel 5 in the Twin Cities swung down to Rochester a couple weeks ago to do a feature on Wallace and I. He actually contacted Josh to do a piece on him and his cattle dog Wazee, but Josh graciously referred him to us instead. Besides Josh giving us the referral in order to help us gain more exposure for the cause, I'm pretty sure it was also somewhat of a ploy to not be featured since he would much rather be behind the camera than in front of it, but we'll take it. Unfortunately for him he did get roped in front of the camera for a short time anyway, but he did good with his few seconds of fame.

John was awesome to interview with and put together a real nice positive piece to show our side of the story. It seemed like he came in not really knowing what to expect, but soon was high fiving us out of excitement for what he was witnessing. Wallace went to jump up to greet John when he first arrived. He was on leash so wasn't able to, but John was a little unsure and flinched a bit (rightfully so). However, within minutes of the interview, Wallace jumped into him because of a bad toss I did, and John came away laughing! How's that for quick positive impact? Wallace was living up to our motto for sure, changing minds one disc at a time. What a great feeling to not only know we were influencing John's perspective of Pit Bulls in a positive way, but to know we would be reaching many more through the exposure of the feature piece as a result. Josh came through again with the camera and grabbed some footage of the interview itself with a surprise appearance by Clara's little disc dog Scooby Snack.

To check out the great piece John put together in it's finished form click here. Thanks John for the great times and wonderful piece. Hopefully we'll meet up again in the future.

Roo

Hector's a FetchDog!

Well, he isn't fetching any discs at all (sorry to psych you out like that), but he did make it into a great piece on FetchDog.com. Thanks to Julia Szabo for helping spread the word and increasing the exposure on what we've been up to. Click Here to check it out.

Roo

Wallace Documentary: Behind the scenes.

 

Here Wallace tries to get into charactor for his shelter scene.

1 Year with Hector, CGC TDI TT

It was last June on Friday the 13th that Clara and I went up to the Minneapolis/St Paul airport to pick up a very special package. One year ago today is when Hector made the flight to join us here in Minnesota. Pictured to the right is one of the first pictures we took as we introduced Hector to his new adopted brother Angus. Seriously....I can't believe it's been a whole year already. Even though the year went way too fast, looking back we had a pretty good one. First up was the Canine Good Citizen Test, which he passed for the second time since being rescued. He was having a pretty good time here walking around meeting everybody in the neighborhood, but then winter came. Hector is definitely more in favor of the warm weather, but he made it through the winter like the trooper that he is. During the winter, he passed his Therapy Dog test through Therapy Dogs International with flying colors, and just made his very first official therapy dog visit at the Mayo Clinic. Hector was a big hit among the patients. Next up was the ATTS Temperament Test. Unfortunately it was held on one of the worst weather days we had all spring, but Hector still rocked the test to put a TT at the end of his name as well. Here's a video of his test (thanks Amanda), and you will see what I mean regarding the weather.

The year went fast, but Hector accomplished a lot. I'm excited to begin another year with him, and interested to see what this year will hold for us and the rest of the Pit Bull United crew! Stay tuned......

Roo

Wallace Documentary: Behind the scenes.

 

Roo and Wallace play a bit with a tennis ball, while the crew tries to find the right angle.

Happy Birthday To Me!!

So I guess M-guy and M-gal said that I just had my Estimated Birthday on Tuesday! They said it was estimated because they don't really know when I was born. I could tell them, but I don't like to think about those days, so I'm gonna start fresh and have my Estimated Birthday be my Real Birthday from now on.
M-guy seemed a little preoccupied and busy with other stuff, but that's okay because he gave me extra treats and told me he'd make it up to me this weekend with a fun late birthday outing. Also, since it was my birthday and he couldn't take me anywhere special, he let me sleep in bed with him and M-gal! That rocked!! M-guy kept waking up sometimes because he didn't have sheets covering him the whole way. For some reason he wasn't able to move them, so since I was already up there on the sheets next to him, I made sure to curl up real close to him and not move to try and keep him warm, since the sheets obviously weren't doing the trick. If he were smart, he would totally keep me up in bed to do this more often. M-gal made me special home baked doggie treats shaped like bones too! M-guy slipped me an extra one while the other dogs weren't looking. Mmmmmm......yum..............
H

I Passed Again!

So a little while ago, M-Guy and M-Gal took me out one night. We came to a place called a nursing home and he told me that I had to be a good boy so I could pass my Therapy Dog test. What's with all these tests that I have to pass? Isn't it obvious by now that I'm a good boy? Sheeeesh! I guess all dogs have to pass this one though if they want to go visit people in nursing homes and hospitals. That sounds like it would lead to some fun adventures and more places for me to check out, so I guess I'm down with that.
It was a lot like that Doggie Good Something-or-other test, or whatever it was called. M-Guy and these other folks threw me some curve balls on this one though. There were treats I had to walk past without eating, a bunch of ladies yelling, screaming and acting crazy, and the kitchen was at the end of the hall with people pushing carts in and out banging pots and pans together. To top it off, one time we had to walk the other way down the hall while the crazy ladies ran past us, all rowdy like, with a corgi riding in a chair with wheels! The only thing I want to know is how did the corgi get that gig? I want that job next time! It looked a lot more fun than having to walk nicely next to M-Guy through the whole thing.
Anyway, I passed another test again, so I can become a Therapy Dog now. Everybody there kept saying how good I was, and how handsome I am. DUH! What else did they expect from the Handsome Hector? That place was pretty fun, so hopefully I get to go back soon to visit the folks staying there. Hey M-Guy! I didn't help you and M-Gal out around the house that much before this test like I did last time, but don't worry.....I made up for it. I cleared off M-Gal's night stand, and cleaned the kitchen counters for ya. No need to thank me! Just an FYI.
H - Oh...and by the way, I made the Rochester paper because of it, too! Check it out.

Minnesota Guy Meets Hector - Video

Video footage of M-Guy's visit to meet Hector for the first time.

They Took Away My Tree!!

Hey everyone...The Inspector here! I've just been trying not to freeze my tail off here in Minnesota. I need to figure out how to get M-guy and M-gal to move. It's so cold here a few weeks ago they even brought a tree inside to keep alive. It was even one of those trees that live through the winter for crying out loud. When they brought it inside, M-guy was watching me closely like I was going to do something to the tree....not sure what that would be though. Sniffing it made me want to pee, so I unfortunately had to take a break and head outside to color some of the snow. M-guy told me I was a very good boy. Not sure why the big fuss since I always go outside to go pee. Anyway, I got to go back in after that and investigate the tree some more to figure out what they didn't want me to do to it. The green pointy things smelled good, so I took a little taste. That must have been what he didn't want me to do because he opened my mouth, reached down my throat and pulled out all the skinny green things I snagged off the tree. They tasted so good though, I just couldn't help myself from trying again and again and again. They caught me most of the time unfortunately, but I was able to sneak some green goods off the tree here and there.
Then it happened - they went and took the tree away! If I would have known they were going to take it away because I kept eating it, I would have been more discreet. I figured I was golden until it warmed up at least. Don't they know that tree is not going to survive out there?!? I guess I'll have to settle for all these bones and new toys laying around that we got in these big socks that are hanging in the house for Christmas. Oh wait....I saw Santa this year and we hit it off.....maybe he'll get me another tree I can eat.
H