Pin-ups for Pit Bulls
(Photo courtesy of www.bombshellpinups.net)
Deirdre Franklin of Bucks County, Pa., is a mild-mannered mortgage counselor by day, a burlesque queen by night, and, ever since childhood, a confirmed lover and rescuer of dogs, with an especially soft spot for pit bulls.
She has two pit bulls of her own, she traveled to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to assist in pet rescue and recovery efforts, and she once worked as a volunteer at a privately operated Philadelphia animal rescue center.
It was in her work there -- specifically, when she learned that the shelter regularly euthanized pit-bull type dogs, based more on their appearance than anything else -- that her empathy for the breed was born.
She quit after trying to take home a particularly friendly one that arrived one day. The shelter said it was against their policy. Then they euthanized the dog.
The outrage she felt during that episode -- "How can you call yourself a rescue organization, if you're not willing to save a dog's life?" she asks -- was rekindled in more recent years, first with continuing tales of pit bulls being abused and used for fighting. Then came the movement to pass "breed specific legislation" that often requires their owners to chain and muzzle pit bulls -- not because of any bad behavior, only because they are pit bulls.
That made her mad enough to gather some pit bull-owning female friends, shed some clothes, outfit herself and friends in stilettos, bikinis, tight nurses uniforms and the like, strike some provocative poses (often with their dogs) and put together the first "Pin-Ups for Pit Bulls" calendar in 2007 -- the proceeds from which go to organizations that rescue and shelter pit bulls.
Franklin says sales of the calendars -- and revenue from the ads printed throughout them -- raised more than $4,000 last year, and $10,000 so far this year.
Tonight, Franklin and some of her calendar models will be appearing at a fund-raiser at the Sidebar Tavern in downtown Baltimore, trying to raise more money for the cause. The calendars, and more information, are available at her website, www.pinupsforpitbulls.com.
"I really want people to understand that this breed is getting a bad rap," Franklin, 30, said. "They are very wonderful and good dogs. ...They're not the monsters that they're made out to be."
Pinups for Pitbulls is dedicated to helping homeless pit bulls and removing the stigma from the breed that results from irresponsible and abusive pet owners, Franklin said. Pit bulls, she says, are loyal family members, have been war heroes and, before the bad image befell them, were American icons -- Petey from the Litte Rascals, the RCA dog Nippy and Helen Keller's service dog, to name a few.
To improve the breed's image, and to reach an audience that might not normally care about its plight, Franklin came up with the pin-up calendar as a way to grab attention. "A lot of people don't like pit bulls, but everyone likes pretty girls," she says.
Franklin now has two pit bulls, Carla Lou, 12 years old, who she paid to have shipped by air from a shelter in Texas, and Baxter, about 2, who she adopted from Pet Rescue of Mercer County in New Jersey, where she has also worked as a volunteer.
Franklin, who performs burlesque under the name "Little Darling," appears in the 2007 and 2008 calendars. That's her and he dogs in the photo above from this year's October.
Baltimore County considered breed-specific legislation last year but declined to enact it. Baltimore City rejected a proposal for breed-specific laws seven years ago.
Many other cities, including New York and Denver, have passed breed-specific laws, which can range from requiring the animals to be muzzled and fenced-in to prohibiting ownership of them altogether. Even in cities without such laws, discrimination exists against pit bulls, Franklin noted, with landlords refusing to rent to families with pit bulls, insurance companies charging more or refusing to cover homes where pit bulls live.
Franklin said the organization contacted the Sidebar Tavern after holding a benefit in Washington in December. Tavern owner Richard Ashburn says he backs the group's effort. "I don’t want any breed to be written off the earth because we as humans said they can’t be here. I’m in agreement with what they were doing," he said.
Friday's event to promote the sale of the 2008 'Pinups for Pitbulls Calendar, will also feature several Baltimore bands, and an auction of the works of Wilmington artist Ric Frane. It starts at 9 p.m.
Comments
There really needs to be more positive press for pit bulls. They are an amazing breed.
Posted by: Ty Brown | February 22, 2008 9:27 AM
Well, Deirdre, you're just helping the dog fighters breed more pit bulls and abuse more dogs.
When is this woman going to do something to really help these dogs instead of just trying to clean up after the breeders?
Pit bulls are getting bred in huge numbers for the dog fighting trade, and getting dumped in huge numbers.
Some of the groups that oppose breed specific legislation are FIGHTING DOG BREEDERS that use people like Deirdre to help them breed more pit bulls and abuse more pit bulls.
Until the problems with the breeding and fighting are dealt with, more and more pit bulls are going to get bred, tortured, dumped.
But the dog breeders make lots of money abusing these dogs, and they don't want any rules or laws that will slow down their income.
And they latch on to the naive to help them, sadly.
Posted by: Robert | February 22, 2008 3:59 PM
Nice article. I own a pitbull and she is the best dog I have ever had. Pit Bulls are victims of negative media attention. There are TONS of labs, husky, and every other type of dog that bites people but you NEVER hear about it. Only the pit bull bites make the front page. Its such a shame because pit bulls have one of the highest stable canine temperament out of all the breeds.
Posted by: Amanda | February 23, 2008 10:21 AM
Robert-
Actually what Deirdra is doing is creating POSTIVE PRESS for a breed that is in desperate need of it.
The majority of Americans couldn't tell a "pitbull" from a labrador retriever. ANY happy "pitbull" story, be it told in a picture, calendar, or otherwise, will work to change the public's view of these animals. If nothing else, it will at least instill doubt..."Oh, maybe they aren't so bad after all." That opens the door for education, which is what people relying on headlines need.
Posted by: carey hughes | February 25, 2008 7:33 AM
I'm scratching my head trying to figure out how the poster who accused Deirdre of "helping" dog breeders arrived at this conclusion. Very confusing!
Deirdre promotes the breed in a positive light. She donates wads of money to rescues who are saving homeless and abused Pit Bulls. She promotes spay/neuter. She educates. She inspires.
She doesn't breed. She doesn't promote breeders/breeding.
Deirdre is not responsible for the acts of others. She has no control over the actions of unethical breeders. Your ire is so incredibly misplaced. Direct your energy towards educating those that actually need education. Volunteer to help the dogs that need love and attention at shelters. Encourage spay/neuter.
But seriously....pick your battles wisely and know your enemies. Pin Ups for Pit Bulls is a fabulous organization and a positive thing for Pit Bulls everywhere.
Deirdre is not the enemy.
Posted by: Mary | February 25, 2008 3:23 PM
actually, ROBERT , our stand point is to stop the mistreatment and promote positive owners through education, training ( dog and owner),promote spay and neutering, and highlighting positive breeders to purchase and to impose more punishment for neglect, abuse and of course FIGHTING! so you tell me how Deirdra is in any way helping these poor excuse's for humans? thats right she's not... none of us are.... if anyone is it's people like you who just blame the dog! so ban the dog.. do nothing to the person, so the person can just go find another breed of dog to abuse and neglect and then make the dog look like a monster to the public. so this will just be a revolving door of humans causing another animal to become extinct because they are just too damn ignorant to see that humans are not perfect and ARE the cause of the problem! Deirdra, you are an insparation to all the kind harted, good people and you know we all have your back girl! much love to ya!
Posted by: josh | February 25, 2008 3:31 PM
So Robert you can't read. Are you to blame, no. But there are groups to help you. Ms. Franklin is doing positive work, to HELP (excuse the pun) the Underdogs(Pitbulls). She doesn't say breed more, Just know that Pitties are not bad dogs, Some are tortured into a bad life. Try to get off your RUMP and do something positive yourself.
Posted by: Franke | February 25, 2008 4:07 PM
Robert,
It sounds like you have no idea what breed specific legislation is or you would not have anything horrible to say about Deirdre. BSL targets one breed of dog that is singled out as "inherently dangerous to society," regardless of the individual dogs' present or past behavior. Deirdre is against BSL bc it is creating racism against a specific breed that has not be given a fair chance. She is creating positive press for this loveable breed so that we can change the image soceity has placed on them. She is in fact trying to educate people like you about the misconceptions people have about pitbulls. The first step in change is education and she cannot personally be responsible for the ignorance of these breeders, not even the police can regulate it. Instead, Deirdre raises and donates money through Pinups for Pitbulls in order to help those poor pitbulls and other bully breeds in need of a home or in need of finances for health treatments they would not get otherwise.
Deirdre is an inspiration to everyone who wants to think outside the box. She is a motivated and intelligent woman with a vision. And every pitbull and bully breed is lucky to have her in their corner.
Please do your research before making any more ignorant comments.
Posted by: Maria | February 25, 2008 4:15 PM
Good for her for helping those dogs! Bias based on looks is always unfair (hasn't everyone realized this yet? I guess not...)
Anyone looking for a pit bull friendly Philly shelter to support should check out Philly PAWS - they could really use the help and are a dedicated, dog loving, UNBIASED bunch!
Posted by: angela | February 27, 2008 10:09 AM