Irate Californian Tries to Ban Rescue Writer

I write the American Pit Bull Examiner articles. Yesterday, the Examiner received the following unsubstantiated and untrue statement from Alicia Esken, the person who recently hired a tracker to steal Vinny the rescue dog owned by Angela Sera of Dogtown Rescue.

"Dear Examiner,

This story is filled with false accusations. Below is the email I sent to Cindy Marabito. I have also copied and pasted the email I sent out that includes the link of Angela Sera of Dogtown Ranch and Rescue claiming the dog to be a service for the military going to a Vet from Afghanistan on TV which was a blatant lie.. Because of this story I and John Braden have received threatening emails and phone calls. The dog never left the state of Texas and they have falsified information and used scare tactics in getting the dog from a boarding kennel until all was settled.

Not only do I want this vulgar and malicious story pulled down, I am asking you to Ban Cindy Marabito from your website. She is engaging in slander and liable and does not deserve a voice under your umbrella. I will sent this out to the community so they may write to you as well. I am not standing alone on this. I am in talks with the sheriff and if need be will obtain legal council."

Here is a copy of the original piece which was written after Vinny had been stolen:

Vinny was recently relinquished from California to Angela Sera's Dogtown in Elgin, Texas right outside Austin, During his transition to his new rescue, a blast sounded which scared Vinny and caused him to bolt.

Sera and Dogtown posted the following flyer and since July 26, have been working round the clock to find Vinny. Last night was a miracle, as Vinny was found.

MISSING

1009 WILLOW CREEK DR, ELGIN

979-826-2480, CALL IF SEEN

***VINNY***

HE WAS SCARED FROM GUNFIRE LAST NITE, HE IS A HOUSEDOG, WITH EXTENSIVE TRAINING, SERVICE DOG, STUNNING, WEARING TAGS WITH NUMBERS AND BLUE SLIP LEAD, MICROCHIPPED

PLEASE HELP FIND HIM, HE HAS TO BE FOUND

Before Vinny could be returned to the rescuer who's spent over a week tracking night and day to find Vinny, a guy by the name of John Braden took Vinny and left the property claiming Vinny needed vet care.

Frantic over the past week's stress looking for Vinny, Sera allowed Braden to take Vinny to seek medical attention.

What happened next was almost worse than Vinny's initial disappearance. Braden turned out to be hired by the initial California advocate Alicia Esken to steal Vinny and return the dog across state lines to Los Angeles.

This is illegal. The American Pit Bull called Esken for a comment. Esken admitted to hiring Braden who runs a transport business out of Phoenix, Arizona. When informed she was committing theft across state lines, the angry woman hung up the phone.

Braden could not be reached for comment, but a message was left for the transporter with the email handle 'alphawolf' that he was transporting stolen property.

Sera has reported Vinny's theft to the microchip company to which Vinny is legally registered to Angela Sera of Dogtown and the local and California authorities.

Sera's work is highly respected in the state of Texas where she advocates and cares for animals whose last house on the block before death has been Dogtown. Sera and Dogtown have been involved in the Spindletop raid victim dogs and to which the rescue has offered safekeeping for several of the dogs recovered from the ongoing abuse and dog killing case in Willis, Texas.

Please contact Ebby Sera ebby_sarg@yahoo.com to help with resources and support in helping get Vinny returned to high rightful and legal owner and advocate.

http://dogtownranchandsanctuary.blogspot.com/

Contact West Los Angeles Care and Control if you have knowledge or see this stolen dog.

11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90064

888-4LAPET1 or 888-452-7381

Please continue to follow the American Pit Bull Examiner in our search to find the truth. We will not stop until every dog is answered for. That is a promise.

This morning, Lee County sheriff's department responded to Esken's complaint to search Dogtown's facility. Her attempt to remove the American Pit Bull Examiner which has been instrumental in networking hundreds of death row dogs, many of whom are in happy homes today, is uncalled for and prejudicial.

Vinny is safe and happy back at Dogtown after he was retrieved from the boarding facility illegally hired by Braden and Esken to hide the dog. Rather than rejoice in his safekeeping, Esken seems determined to not only close down pit bull rescue Dogtown, but Reunion Rescue as well.

Reunion Rescue uses the small amount of money made writing articles to support our dogs. The American Pit Bull Examiner is known for reporting the truth, no matter who it pisses off. We will continue to rescue and find a way to generate the necessary income to save the dogs nobody else wants.

Oh, happy day...healing at the Expo in San Antone!

The past two and a half weeks have been pure d hell for Reunion Rescue and tons of others who trusted Leah Purcell's Spindletop ranch with their dogs. Many are dead and others still have not been located. Some probably never will.

Months ago, Reunion had committed to a booth at the San Antonio Pet Expo. It was a great opportunity to share our program with other animal lovers as well as a good venue for my book, Pit Bull Nation. Many of the haters have been attacking me here lately on my style of writing. Hey, I'm guilty! I'm opinionated, blunt and honest, but I know what's worked for these dogs the last fifteen years I've been pulling pit bulls from death row and worse across the US.

There are tons of other style books like sportswriter Jim Gorant's book, the coffee table Lost Dogs as well as the Cesar Millan library. And there's Shorty's tome about an ex-con who landed a tv show. The difference between my writing and others is I'm actually pulling dogs. I'm in the trenches with the network of little rescue groups who are doing the work.

People who read Pit Bull Nation will get an earful of how to treat, train, feed and learn about homeopathy and the harmful effects of vaccines as told in Raspberry's story. It's all sewn together in potboiler form with a behind the scenes expose as to what really goes on behind the doors in a kill shelter and the big rescue corporations who claim in their marketing to save lives, but in reality are the biggest killers of all.

Pit Bull Nation is a journey through hell and the magic formula to walk out with the dog. The Reunion Rescue detox protocol is shared in the book and is being put to the test with the Spindletop dogs we've managed to get to safety.

These dogs are suffering from PTSD and literally must be handled as a dog refugee POW. Mere training will not address the deep seated effects of what these animals went through at Spindletop. Whatever condition in which they arrived at that hellhole has been amplifed and it's our job to decompress these dogs, get their bodies healthy and gently transition back to safe ground.

So yesterday, I'll admit, I was exhausted. I got up at the crack of dawn and treated, watered, pottied and exercised Angel, Amber and Batgirl. I took care of the other fosters and sanctuary dogs, cats and birds, the birds being a handful with homemade diet. I got all my gear loaded into my old car and hit the road. At times like this, I'd probably commit grand larceny for a good volunteer.

It took me three hours to set up for the event, but I liked what my old booth looked like. I have always loved the vibe in San Antonio and it was carrying me today. I amazingly felt a bit of peace and gratitude. My neighbor down the road from Huntington Beach, Cali made me two righteous signs to help raise awareness and $$ for our Spindletop dogs. I found out the other day Leah Purcell fraudulently pulled dogs under my 501(c)(3) and also trolled my American Pit Bull Examiner articles to fleece kindhearted pledge donators for more cash. I understand she has illegally been pulling under other 501(c)(3) groups as well.

I'd already committed to Feo from Alvin ACC since he'd wound up at Spindletop due to an article I wrote back in December. Was I shocked to find out he was actually pulled under Reunion Rescue. This is further proof that Leah Purcell protected by Zandra Anderson who calls herself the Texas Dog Lawyer (I call her the Texas Dog KILLER's Lawyer) is a liar and a thief. From what I know about law, this is pretty close to fraud.

Me with the Paul Mitchell girls-my all
time favorite product always cruelty-free!

But, back to getting healthy. I got my booth ready right as people started trickling in. I had a huge stack of cards which I always hand out with our website www.reunionrescue.com full of Nutrition info and training on Junior's Page. I can promise any pet owner if they follow our program they can escape every terrible pet nightmare from fleas to cancer. Where's my controlled study? Right here at the Reunion Rescue No Kill Refuge where everyone lives to a ripe old age and never goes to the vet. You'll never see Hill's Science Diet or Fort Dodge underwriting any study grants at Reunion Rescue.

I met so many people. I met rescues. I hugged other Spindletop refugees and their dogs they'd managed to get back. I met people who cried and haven't found their dogs, dogs that Leah Purcell and Zandra Anderson know the whereabouts of. If that isn't the cruelest aspect of this whole case, I don't know what is. To know where someone's pet is and keep that information secret for a future plea bargain is below low. It's, to me, as low as you can go.

To me, Leah Purcell and Zandra Anderson are worse than Michael Vick. He was a big oaf trying to show off. Not excusing his behavior in the slightest. Am I the only person not wearing Nike's or eating Subway? For someone who professes to be the end all in pit bull rescue and the other making a killing, no pun intended, in legal defense, to deceive hundreds if not thousands of animals and rescuers is beyond evil. To know where those animals are and not help people find them, to have participated in hurting and killing animals for monetary gain on the scale that Purcell and Anderson are involved is monumental in comparison to Vick's crime.

It is my commitment to make certain no one ever forgets what these people have done. When Vick's name is googled, Leah Purcell's nasty face should pop up right alongside with her sidekick Zandra. Those two have been joined at the hip for a long time. Let them continue to be joined. They're welcome to bunk together at Gainesville where they belong and I'll spring for the bus ticket.

This one was nervous and came back to show
us how wonderfully her flower essence at work!

Nothing says it better than pictures and I've snapped a few to share from the San Antonio Pet Expo to share. On a humorous note, Shorty Rossi was supposed to be the guest of honor, but Ashley his assistant appeared instead. He's probably busy tending to the four dogs in the Shorti Rossi rescue, the tv show and book tour along with collecting donations. However, a few weeks ago, his people contacted Leah for a photo op. Boy, I bet they're glad she was busy abusing dogs that day. That was a close one.

We had a little drawing for the Bissell carpet cleaner which was won by a rescue group. Katrina Dennis, director of Del Rio, Texas A Pet's Wish won the carpet cleaner.

I left tired, hungry and happy. I met a ton of San Antonio people who love their animals. I had forgotten what it felt like to be in a community of happy pets and their loving owners along with wonderful rescue groups who really do pull cats and dogs, work full time jobs and squeeze in the time to show off their pets at events like this.

Thanks to Jamie, Natasha and the Expo girls, Petsmart for the balls, Petco for the frisbees, Blue Buffalo for the treats and most of all Petfinder for the booth!\

All in all, it was a beautiful day. The good people who love their animals in San Antonio turned out and proved something to this ol' war torn rescuer. It really is a wonderful world.....

Spindletop refugees

Spindletop Refugees

Spay day at Reunion Rescue No Kill

Batgirl's new pink ribbon collar

Amidst all of the trauma and heartache being faced throughout the Spindletop raid disaster, Batgirl, Amber and Johnny Angel remind me to keep strong and get on with the everyday business of saving lives. These three dogs as do the other Reunion allumni, need to be maintained and cared for. We may grieve for those we've lost and are missing still, but these three and the rest still need to heal, to eat, to play and get on with the business of being dogs.

First on the agenda is a spay/neuter. Batgirl was spayed before she went to Spindletop, but Angel and Amber were not altered even though extra payment was issued to Leah Purcell to fix them.

Johnny Angel looking sharp

Knowing once they have surgery, they'll not get that much needed bath, I made a much needed dog treat run to Target. After four trips to Conroe and back to try and reclaim the dogs, this was kind of fun. I was enjoying a fun aspect of rescue work for a change. The buyer for Target get's a check plus in the accessories department. I found Batgirl a pink striped ribbon collar and a royal and powder blue striped one for Johnny Angel. Amber's is perfect for her in a bright red brocade.

After a good raw dinner with Johnny Angel finishing his bowl for the first time...he was a hard sell....they got good sudsy baths, After drying them and adjusting their brand new collars, I was in for an amazing experience. Anyone who's ever rescued a dog knows when they get a brand new collar, one that no one else has ever worn with other dog smells, something happens. They turn on like a twinkling star in the heavens.

Amber

This is the reason Reunion, no matter how broke, always tries to get each dog a brand new collar reflective of their personality. This is why, when I look at one of the only photos I have of Stella, I see that old Spindletop slip lead around her neck and realize again how I failed her. She never got to get a sudsy warm bath and her own bright collar.

Amber is so squatty, when I got her dried and her new red collar donned, she wagged her tail and smiled up at me. I was reminded of Mammy in Gone With the Wind and that red satin petticoat. I laughed out loud. Johnny Angel wanted to show off, but only had the birds in the trees for an audience. It was like not having anywhere to wear your new outfit but the grocery store. He didn't care and just strutted all around the backyard, like, 'check this out!'

Amber and Johnny Angel have their appointments to be spayed and neutered this morning at Emancipet in Austin. They'll be microchipped and dosed with Arnica homeopathic remedy to help them move safely through the surgeries.


I'll dose them again this evening when I pick them
up. They are on their way. Amber has an interested couple as an adoption prospect already. They are a couple adopting their first pet and have already pored over the Reunion website and program They are committed to feeding a raw food diet and treating homeopathically. Who wouldn't want a guarantee of no heartworm, no fleas and no cancer?

Johnny Angel has been spoken for as well. Once he's recovered from his neuter, he'll be on his way to Barbara and Miss Murmur adopted from Reunion three and a half years ago from the high kill Bakersfield, California shelter. Here we go. It's up and down in the world of rescue. It's not a life for the faint of heart. But we can make it. Batgirl, Amber and Johnny Angel are teaching me how it's done.

Batgirl says don't take it all too seriously.

Angel is here at last!

Zach former Spindletop employee who id'd Angel for us!

After much hoopla and jumping through hoops, I made it back to Austin with Angel yesterday. Stacey

at Animal Farm Foundation, Chris, Chris and Michele from HSUS and all the hardworking others involved are deeply appreciated by Reunion Rescue and the dogs they've worked to help find their legal owners.

We drove back and forth from Austin to Conroe four times to get three of our four dogs back who'd been boarded at Spindletop. We got Batgirl last week, Amber, then yesterday Angel! 

I'm deeply saddened about Stella and her terrible death with the other 37 from the Morgan Building. I don't know if I'll ever forgive myself for putting her there and for recommending this place to to others. What I can do is continue to work hard in the fight to make sure Leah Purcell and everyone who had a hand in her operation goes down and goes down hard.

Reunion Rescue 2012 Which Wich tour..the go to place for Spindletop raid recovery dogs

Animal Farm working hard to help reunite our dogs!

Angel...just glad to be alive

Here is a little video of me and Angel with one of my favorite Lucinda Williams songs playing in the

background.

Albert Schweitzer said all man's ills can be cured with music and cats. Cindy Marabito would like to add pit bulls to that equation.

Checking out his neighbors .. the cats ...

Angel after a shower

The cat enclosure

Mr. Angel is decompressing and on his herbal worm treatment as are Batgirl and Amber. They all three are dosed throughout the day with Bach flower remedies as well as Australian Bush Flower Essences.

Both Angel and Amber need to be altered, but we'll wait a couple of days to allow them to relax and sniff and get back to the business of being dogs.

On that note, Leah Purcell on top of all her other foul ups continued to kill all potential adoptions I'd lined up for Angel. She did not want to adopt dogs. I placed one of my boarded dogs along with three Spindletop dogs in the year and three months I've been boarding dogs at Spindletop.

When I finally insisted on started preparation for Angel's transport to his new home, Purcell continued to put up road blocks, saying, 'she knows he's a pit bull, right?' She spit it out as if pit bulls shouldn't be adopted.

Amber

Well, among other things, Leah, you need to go back to pit bull school. Angel is a Ridgeback/Shepherd mix. He's got the telltale black Ridgie toenails I've been looking at for years along with the Shepherd shedding. Maybe she can take a correspondence course from  Gainesville State Women's Penitentary while she waits for a spot to free up in hell.

Mid section..future home to our no kill kennels

Batgirl doin' what she do...

                                                                  Batgirl trying to chill                                                                      

Rowdy Cowgirl 14 years young

Gringo Tex our 8 year old deaf boy

Rowdy Cowgirl surveying the perimeter

Spindletop dogs, PTSD and the Reunion detox

Dogs are slowly being reunited with their rescues and owners by HSUS, Animal Farm Foundation and Mountgomery County. Two of the first went to a well regarded sanctuary for boarding. Their legal owner picked up two very different dogs than the two she had entrusted to Spindletop Refuge. Both were covered in fresh wounds and both extremely dog reactive. One dog was in such dreadful shape, he had to be sedated to get through the night.

Luckily a knowledgeable rescue was in care of these two dogs, but with more soon to be released, the concern for transitioning these animals back to a normal life is going to be a long and sometimes difficult road.

Reunion Rescue has had extensive experience rescuing dogs with kinks. We pulled every pit bull from the availables before euthanasia in San Francisco for years. In fact, every dog we pulled had been turned down by the 29 million dollar San Francisco SPCA. Granted, this group didn't want to become a house full of pit bulls, but with all that cash and a well funded behavioral team, you'd think they could take a puppy ever so often.

Our experiences are colorfully documented in Pit Bull Nation, my part-rant, part how-to, part page turner and the only book out there which has blow by blow directions how to pull dogs from kill shelters. SFACC still kills 2/3 intake. Obviously, they haven't read Pit Bull Nation.

I'm gonna share a little bit of our detox protocol, but first, take a look at Raspberry's story. Raspberry was a perfect wiggly staffie bull who went totally ballistic after getting a rabies shot.

Raspberry taught me about detox. She showed me how a dog can and sometimes will go insane from over vaccination. Not all of the dogs from the Spindletop raid are vaccinosis cases, but all have been recently vaccinated and should be detoxed. The rabies vaccine contains mercury, formaldehyde, rabies, toxins and all kinds of things you don't really want in your dog...or cat.

Reunion Rescue's Nutrition Page has a nutshell version of our entire program in a wonderful document we call the Reunion Rescue Detox Protocol. It's worth a look-see for any animal lover who might be interested in curing their pet's body. How about never having a dental...or a flea? The healthy immune system is unattractive to pests, parasites and disease. We can safely promise our adopters that adhere to the Reunion program, their pet will live a long life and die of old age. No cancer is our motto.

The Spindletop dogs are seriously malnourished and suffering from PTSD. In fact, when I used to volunteer at SFACC as a dogwalker and website maintenance for the dogs and cats, I saw many a dog literally batshit crazy. When a dog is suffering from being kennel crazy, you do not worry with sit sit treat treat training. You just want the dog to get outside and acclimate to good fresh air...or what I call grass therapy.

When I returned here to the sanctuary with Batgirl and Amber, I listened to my own words. These dogs have been crated 24/7 for a long long time. They must still be crated as our Step 1-2-3- Pit Bull Starter Kit doc points out. Nothing is better for a dog than simulating that den behavior. These dogs have obviously had an overdose of this theory, but that being said, they feel comfort to an almost neurotic level in their crates. So a little crate time is good for them right now.

Take a look at Junior's Page on the site and read our Kong doc. I have a confession to make. I trained on the Kong wrong for 10 years. Once I found out how to properly train a dog on the Kong, I wanted to share it with the world. It's available to view on our site, Junior's Page, the Kong doc.

This effort is to help those picking up their dogs know how to handle them. First and foremost, there is a good dog in there....you saved that dog because you saw something special and unique. He's still down in there and wants to come home. With a little flower essence and detoxing and a lot of love, he can do just that...come on home where he belongs.

Please keep reading our blog to keep up with happenings at the Reunion Rescue No Kill Refuge...a real one...and the dogs from the Spindletop raid.

Batgirl eating a raw diet

Batgirl getting down on that chicken

Amber had to be coaxed a little, but is now a raw food fan!

And this little pittie had roast beef....

Yesterday, I made my third trip to Conroe and back from Austin. The stress of the Spindletop raid, trying to get our dogs back, all this driving, attempting to put together a makeshift refuge with no money and no volunteers really is putting me in an empty grave.

Angel when impounded at Garland TX ACC

On a sad note, I was not able to bring back Angel. There were a couple of dogs who looked like him, but the photos I had printed out on my shitty printer were not conclusive enough to redeem Angel. Again, the horrors of this entire ordeal are deep and complicated. Leah Purcell is managing to cause so much pain to so many animals and the people who care for them. Without proper id and release, the HSUS, Animal Farm Foundation and Montgomery County are understandably hamstrung.

Late into the night Wednesday, I am printing out photos and proof of ownership for the fourth go round to try and redeem my last two dogs caught up in this nightmare, Angel and Amber. Amber had entered Spindletop for boarding last summer when they'd been abandoned in a Houston vacant lot. Stella's ears had been butchered off. Angel came from Garland ACC last September. All three dogs were surrendered to Reunion Rescue by their benefactors who'd paid the initial boarding fees. Along with Batgirl who I picked up Sunday, Reunion Rescue has paid almost $10 thousand dollars in boarding fees to Leah Purcell and her sidekick James Cowboy Mind Brewer who operates the Paypal account.

Stella died with the 38 in the Morgan building on Spindletop property. Leah and her lawyer, Zandra Anderson still claim Stella was adopted and 'they love her' even though Spindletop employee Brandon Louth positively identified Stella as one of the dogs buried in the mass grave. Now that grave is filled with rotting bones and decomposing bodies. We cannot even cremate our pets murdered on that property and place the ashes in shrines like the one I maintain for all of our animals who've passed on. Most of the others have died peaceful deaths of old age as we raw feed and treat homeopathically.

Amber

I broke down at the building where the dogs are all housed. When I knew I had to leave Angel for the third time and drive back, everything caved in. I sat down and cried. What kind of monsters are these people at Spindletop? How could I have trusted Leah for so long through so many conversations?

I find out today she has been trolling my little Examiner articles for kind hearted people who have offered to generously donate to the animals in the stories. One dog, Nolan, was on his was there last week. Luckily, his temporary foster heard about the raid and turned around. One of his donators had been bilked out of $450 by Leah and the dog was not even there.

How many others has she robbed, people that are trying to help animals, but unknowingly are lining the pockets of Leah and the tribe who still hangs with her...all protected by Texas Dog Attorney Zandra Anderson. Hopefully the Texas Bar will get wind of her threats and rants over the internet and deal out appropriate punishment. I wouldn't lose one night's sleep if that pariah was disbarred. Lord knows we've got enough lawyers in Texas, but maybe there might be some business for a Texas Dog Killers' attorney.

Chris and the HSUS crowd posed with Amber and me. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the HSUS team who has been extremely caring and so good to our dogs. Thank you Animal Farm Foundation and all the volunteers and sweet inmates in their orange and white suits. Orange is a Texan's favorite color. Amber is even wearing an orange collar now.

I must be strong and drive Amber home. She is a love. She was hurt by all this. I got her back, her little squatty body, all big ol' head. She just wants to lay down and rest. She thinks she's a lap dog. How could anyone hurt an animal like Amber? I called Theresa who found Stella and Amber in the first place to let her know we were on our way home. She has been completely destroyed over the loss of Stella. It was good to be able to share some good news.

We drove over to the Which Wich and got Amber some roast beef and turkey. I got one the best sandwiches I've ever eaten mozzerella caprese with pesto. Ok, Amber had to have half of that, too. 

There is hope. We might not get all of our dogs back, but it sure won't be from the lack of trying. One of our constant members, Bonny, is tirelessly seeking her Scarlett. Even when she is broken and sad over the results, Bonny has been putting together a spreadsheet of all our dogs so that we can track them and file a suit against these terrible people.

We got home late and got everyone fed. Amber got an opportunity to get a little grass therapy like Batgirl so enjoys.

We have much healing to do and a long road ahead.....but we'll get there....We're the pit bulls.

Batgirl and the long road ahead

Last Tuesday, a rescuer's worst dream came true. Hundreds of people like me found out Spindletop Refuge was being raided. While we waited for news about the dogs people had boarded at the longtime pit bull rescue, photos and stories began to turn up on the internet.

Reunion Rescue had four dogs boarded at Spindletop. Batgirl came from Austin's Town Lake Shelter. I'd adopted her on the night of my birthday last April and drove her to Spindletop the next day after she was spayed and released to my care. Over the next year and some months, I came to know the director of Spindletop, Leah Purcell, very well...or so I thought.

She is a likable soul and I fell hook, line and sinker. In the world of pit bull rescue, one doesn't meet that many people that really get the life. I do this 24/7. I am driven to find out what makes these dogs tick. I wrote in my book, Pit Bull Nation the story of Raspberry who taught me about rabies vaccinosis and how over vaccination causes much illness, disease and behavioral issues.

When I delivered Batgirl to Spindletop, she came with her herbal heartworm treatment and Waiora Cellular defense to remove the metals and toxins injected into the body by vaccines. I left a bottle of Emergency ABFE Australian Bush Flower Essence which helps dogs segue through new beginnings with ease.

I took Batgirl to Spindletop because my husband had put the kabosh on any more rescues living with us. It was good, or so I thought.

When I think back today of leaving Batgirl there, I am incredulous. Over the past year and three months, I got to know Leah pretty well. She was always in trouble due to finances, needing a generator, electric bill or phone bill paid, dog food, you name it. I tried to help by writing articles for the American Pit Bull Examiner mentioning Spindletop.

I began to suggest the refuge to others as a place to take dogs from death rows across the U.S. Two dogs, Amber and Stella, were found noosed to a chain link fence last summer in the blistering heat. Stella's ears had been chopped off and dried blood caked the sides of her head.

The wonderful woman who found them contacted me and we put together a chip in to collect enough money to board them at Spindletop. This part is hard to write. I never once got to pet them or meet them. Stella was killed in the Morgan Building from heatstroke with 37 other dogs. That was thought to have occurred June 14 of this year.

When Leah told me Stella had been adopted, I asked her for the adopter's contact info so I could post a photo and happy update on Stella and Amber's Facebook page. The email was down or some such story every time I reminded her about Stella. Angel was another of our dogs who came from Garland Shelter and was taken by our transport to Spindletop.

I placed Stella three times during the year she was at Spindletop. Each time, Leah explained Stella was too aggressive to be adopted. I remember Leah using terms like 'cold' or 'hot' to describe the dogs..dogfighting terms. Now that I look back, I get the feeling that she fancied herself a pundit of sorts. Now that I look back.

There is a lot of looking back for me right now. I keep racking my brain about Stella. If only I'd insisted on getting photos sooner. If only I'd insisted on moving the harder to place girls and Angel to my Lodi boarding facility. If only, if only, if only.

What I must do is try to concentrate on getting Batgirl better...lots of grass therapy..the kind you walk on, not the pot. She is back on her herbal heartworm treatment with twice daily doses of Yucca for cough, COQ10 and hawthorne supplement for circulatory. She is dosed several times a day with Rescue Remedy and ABFE Emergency and Slender Rice which supports behavior with flower essences. She is dosed three times a day with Waiora Cellular Defense to remove the rabies virus, mercury, toxins, formaldehyde and other poisons injected into her body through over vaccination upon both impounds.

Last night, I received a call from one of our benefactors who's been fleeced by Leah and camp for several months for over $4 thousand dollars. During one of Leah's rum induced nighttime rants, she was asked how Batgirl's heartworm treatment was working. Leah laughed her cigarette raspy rattle and said she'd thrown it out. "That shit don't work."

As the details unfold around this horrible case, many of us continue to wait as we did in the courtroom. Some have taken to the Facebook pages like Victims of Spindletop Raid to look for their dogs while others without pets involved are delving into a sadder and more loathsome pastime. Several of these posters are attacking those of us who had animals at Leah's Spindletop, more commonly being called "Swindletop". Just when you think you have experienced the lowest of human element, an even more vulgar specimen surfaces.

Some of these people are spitefully attacking those of us who had animals killed at Spindletop and are unsure if the ones we are seeking to redeem are even still alive. For these individuals, if you have even the slightest trace of human decency, please find another hobby. We already feel enough guilt for placing our pets at this hellhole. Nothing you have to say to me or anyone else can make me feel worse that I already do.

I'm going to take Batgirl for a grass therapy session. She's got a little bit of me in her, only she loves all people. Maybe she can give me a little therapy to handle the haters.

Please keep in touch with Batgirl and the rest by following our blog and the American Pit Bull Examiner stories. Look for us on Facebook and help us build the dream at the No Kill Reunion Rescue Refuge...a real refuge.

Batgirl and me...fighting criminals down the line....