New Reunion Bumper Stickers and Stuff

We just opened a new store to help the Spindletop refugees and to help raise money to build our No Kill Reunion Rescue Refuge.

http://www.zazzle.com/reunion_rescue_bumper_sticker-128197175517092015

http://www.zazzle.com/reunion_rescue_bumper_sticker-128259312560246186

http://www.zazzle.com/reunion_rescue_bumper_sticker-128220191704343585

http://www.zazzle.com/reunion_rescue_bumper_sticker-128795331185603112

http://www.zazzle.com/reunion_rescue_bumper_sticker-128269389560685874

Every bumper sticker sale nets Reunion Rescue dogs 10%. We also created some tee shirts and a hoodie which can be customized to suit any taste or color.

http://www.zazzle.com/reunion_rescue_ladies_white_baby_doll_tee-235307151706804957

http://www.zazzle.com/reunion_spagetti_tee-235152661165252923

http://www.zazzle.com/ladies_pink_tee-235427091054246184

http://www.zazzle.com/reunion_rescue_hoodie-235749294486727285

http://www.zazzle.com/mens_gray_reunion_rescue_tee_shirt-235660281204575049

Please visit and share our Zazzle products to help us care for the current Reunion dogs and help save others. 100% of all purchases go toward saving dogs.

Love in the Afternoon

Nolan, BeBe, Amber and Peanut got a big surprise in the mail from California today. Our good friend Kathi Richards sent beautiful handmade doggy beds for our Spindletop refugees. By their response, it was clear these dogs had never had such special treatment.

BeBe

We understand they were crated 24/7 at the former refuge and from photographs circulating on Facebook, the dogs were simply locked in the filthy crates without benefit of any kind of bedding.

BeBe was the first to test out her peaceful digs with hippy-dippy peace signs and flower power. She said it makes her rawhide chewing far out!

BeBe enjoys chilling out on the front porch and tried to pull her fan inside her crate. She is a real cool cat. Each day with her herbal treatment, we are seeing a little bit of change in her temperament. When BeBe got here, she had literally been driven insane. A dog like BeBe cannot be locked inside a crate 24/7 with no exercise or proper diet.

She is an amazing dog who is learning to relax and be at peace in her own body for the first time in a long while. All those peace signs on her blankie don't hurt either.

Nolan

Nolan lucked out with a gorgeous purple and peacock blanket. He settled in for a nice long afternoon chew on his new bed from Kathi. This is a dog who nearly died from malnutrition and was delegated outdoors 24/7.

Nolan is the calmest being. He is truly a gentle giant and so very grateful for the smallest gesture. What a joy for him to lay down on a soft new bed made just for him. Kathi took his measurements and it fits his big crate so that he can lay down on his back and stick his big long legs up in the air Nolan style.

Even though Nolan is probably 4 or 5 years old, he is starting all over and learning about being a puppy. He is a love to watch and learn from. He is a champion just like his name. 

Amber and Peanut got red blankies with black paw prints. Amber had to have red as it's just her color. She also has a red brocade collar and a matching red leash. We found a good deal on 6' red leashes at Randall's for $3.98.

Amber in red

If anyone visits their Safeway or Randall's or Tom Thumb market, Reunion Rescue is a good neighbor and you can help pit bulls when you shop if you use our number 12897.

Peanut has a red collar, too. It goes so well with his shiny fawn coat. Peanut was called 'Feo' which means ugly in Spanish. He is certainly far from ugly now on his sassy new red bed and red collar with a brand new red leash.

Reunion Rescue has always tried to give each dog a new collar even when were the broke-est. There is something special about a dog with a new collar that has never been on any other dog with any other dog smells. They seem to know it is just for them. You can literally see the doggy get a prance to his step and enjoy walking down the road.

Little Peanut

I've taught a lot of dogs to walk on a lead with a flat collar. When I have the time to walk with one of the dogs, I am always amazed at how easily they can adapt to a flat collar if both of us just breathe and try to have a bit of patience...mainly me.

I am hoping this is a new wave for Reunion Rescue. I know these precious dogs are going to enjoy the best night's sleep in their new soft beds made just for them by Kathi. I'd like to link Kathi's wonderful business in which she took time away to help out Reunion's dogs, but when people see these beautiful beds, they might try to convince her to quit her day job. I'm already trying to talk her into it. Please, Kathi....but thank you very much from the gang at Reunion Rescue.

Good mornin' pit bulls!

Sunday morning comes early here at Reunion Rescue No-Kill Refuge. First, BeBe wakes up at 5:45 for her morning heartworm and calming herbal meatball. She has a romp in the yard and settles in for some Kong time and chewing.

Next, Peanut has his transition breakfast. He has been through so much at Spindletop, the holding center and boarding until arriving here. His stomach is upset and due to so many foods, we had a hard time finding anything he could keep down. After trying everything from the old school boiled chicken, broth, white rice and cottage cheese to a quality kibble, he finally showed some interested in canned wet cat food. Even though we feed raw, Peanut needed calories and the only way to get those calories into him was cat food.

Amber

He's moved over to high quality puppy food kibble mixed with broth and cooked chicken along with his herbal supplements, Waiora detox and a little yogurt.  He'll be a candidate for raw soon, but not right away. His little system is simply too stressed right now. Until then, we are leveling the playground with lots of Australian Bush Flower Essence Emergency and slippery elm. He will also need his own special Robert McDowell herbal treatment specific to his body and make-up.

We had a major breakthrough today, though. Since he's been here, Peanut has been very timid and growly when approached by another dog. Today, I put him in the smaller day enclosure after his ball-time in the yard.

Peanut

After Amber sniffed around the flowers and watched a butterfly, she was ready for Kong-time in the big enclosure.  I placed her in the outer segment while encouraging Peanut to remain calm. Both dogs enjoyed a couple of hours downtime in the outdoor enclosures with no growling or barking.

This was huge. In fact, it was easier to arrange these two in the crated area than it was to try and upload their photos side-by-side in this blog. It just wasn't going to happen.

Peanut is like so many dogs in shelters, timid and unsure. He was most likely taken from his litter way too early and for whatever reason, wound up at the city of Alvin Animal Shelter. This little shelter is high-kill, but they have one shining attribute in a volunteer named Julia.

Thanks to Julia, Peanut was pulled when I wrote an article about him last December. His name was Feo at the time which means 'ugly' in Spanish. We tried out Mr. Peabody for the Bullwinkle character, a dog who had his own adopted boy, Sherman. Mr. Peabody just wasn't a fit, but Peanut does seem to work. He is a little Peanut, ready for a a new beginning.

Nolan

Nolan chowed down on his big Texas breakfast, our version of the old breeder show dog trick, satin balls. I swear he's putting on weight like a champ.

He looks so much better than he did when I wrote the article about him in June. He's only been here a little over a week and is showing drastic improvement. It's amazing to me that Nolan received treatment from three vets including overnights totalling almost $2K in vet care.

With all the sonograms, x-rays, biopsies and so on, I pulled a nasty huge engorged tick from the front of his chest. The tick had been there all the while as it was filled with a thickened black goo the consistency of Texas tar.

Growing up in east Texas, I spent my early years pulling ticks off dogs, so I'm quite familiar with the signs of a long-term unwanted visitor. My question is how that huge parasite managed to go unnoticed by all those vets? I bet they wouldn't have missed an unsightly error on one of their multiple estimates.

BeBe

BeBe with all her issues, always manages to lift my mood. She has so much to overcome, but her joy of life is going to win. She loves to play ball and roll over in the grass. She is a digger and a food-ie which makes for a fun way to whip life's challenges. My money is on BeBe. I think she is going to win out and surprise us all. Raspberry defeated her demons and I have full faith BeBe can come out on top, too.

Straighten up and fly right...a day with Nolan

Nolan is the big Dane and American Bulldog mix who was saved from begin starved to death near Lake Tawakoni outside Dallas. His story was covered in my American Pit Bull Examiner column June 22 of this year, "Picture of a living Texas nightmare."

Since the day Nolan was relinquished, his life has been a roller coaster. He was on his way to Spindletop the day of the raid and luckily his foster mom turned the car around and took Nolan back to the vet office.

He is in foster care here in Austin now and a Reunion Rescue dog. Nolan was doing well even though he is high heartworm positive and being treated holistically. He was doing well on his new raw meat diet, gaining a few pounds when he stopped eating. After spending a couple of days at the vet, it was decided Nolan should undergo a sonogram and check out a spot with an aspiration.

He was a very good boy at the vet as he is everywhere he goes. He is a sweet big hearted boy and loves everyone he meets.

We are waiting for the results to come in from the lab, but the internist feels Nolan's issues stem from the heartworm infestation.

One thing is certain, for sure. Nolan has a great big heart. He is a love to be around.

How to file an attorney grievance in Texas

Reporting a lawyer for ethical and other violations is not something most of us wish to do on our Sunday mornings. According to Lawyers.com, "Lawyers are human. Sometimes they make legal errors when representing clients. Sometimes they make bad decisions and are charged with crimes. Like anyone else, they have to pay for their mistakes."

Reunion Rescue recently became the financial scapegoat of an attorney in the state of Texas. This attorney, by using privileges bestowed by the State of Texas, strong armed the publication in which Reunion publishes dog and pit bull news stories to fund the upkeep of animals in their care.

Not only did the Examiner pull several articles based on untrue claims by this attorney, but a gang of cyber bullies began attacking the rescue and it's director with harmful and false statements.

How does the Texas Bar feel about one of its own using legal standing to threaten and manipulate a citizen, a federal non profit and a criminal investigation?

The University of Houston Law Center has published a helpful Q and A for those of us without the  benefit of a legal education.

"How can I tell if a rule has been violated?"

"Any person who believes that a rule of professional conduct has been violated may file a complaint with the State Bar. The State Bar will then examine the complaint and determine whether an actual violation is claimed. Not all disputes or disagreements with lawyers involve professional misconduct, but if you believe misconduct under the rules has occurred, you should file a complaint."

"The vast majority of lawyers follow the rules. However, for those who don't, each state has a disciplinary counsel or some other body that investigates and punishes code violations"

"What can happen to an attorney who commits professional misconduct?"

"The State Bar punishes lawyers who commit professional misconduct. The nature of the punishment will vary with the seriousness of the misconduct and other factors. Punishment may include private or public reprimands, suspension or disbarment."

What can the disciplinary process do for me?

"The State Bar disciplinary process is intended to protect the general public by punishing lawyers who commit professional misconduct. However, the State Bar cannot force a lawyer to pay a debt. Nor can the State Bar force a lawyer to reduce or refund a fee. The State Bar can punish a lawyer for failing to return a client's file, but cannot force a lawyer to return the file. The State Bar cannot reverse a criminal conviction, even if the conviction was the result of lawyer misconduct. Finally, dissatisfaction with the result achieved by the attorney usually does not involve professional misconduct."

"How do I file a complaint?"

"First, you must fill out a grievance form, available from the General Counsel's local offices in Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Harlingen, Houston, Midland, San Antonio, and Tyler or by mail by calling 1-800-932-1900.

It is important to know that signing the grievance form waives the attorney-client privilege, which would otherwise keep discussions between your lawyer and you confidential. Waiver of this privilege is necessary for the State Bar to review your complaint.

To file your grievance form, send it to the General Counsel's local office nearest you. If you have any questions about where to send your form, call 1-800-932-1900. Make sure you include copies of all papers important to your complaint. You may attach additional pages if your full complaint cannot be stated on the grievance form."

The State Bar of Texas website has published a very simple step by step process in which to file a complaint should anyone feel an attorney has violated their rights:

http://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=How_to_File_a_Complaint

A person would expect all those years spent studying the law would deem a respect for justice.

"Lawyers have to follow a code of ethics. Each state has its own ethics code or rules, but generally they set out how attorneys are expected to act while in their professional dealings."

The law is for everyone, not just a select few who have discovered how to manipulate the system.

The wheels of justice turn slowly, but grind exceedingly fine.

Caring for the Spindletop Refugees

Since last July 17 when Leah Purcell called to announce her joint was being raided, Reunion Rescue has hit the deck running. We had four dogs boarded at Spindletop, BeBe (formerly known as Batgirl, Amber, Stella and Angel (who is now called Skinny Dennis.)

Life on the fast track would be an understatement of the first degree. It took four trips back and forth to Conroe to get our dogs back. Amber, Skinny Dennis and BeBe are safe here at the sanctuary and refuge soon to be the Reunion Rescue No-Kill Refuge. Stella is suspected of being one of the 38 killed dogs in Spindletop's Morgan Building.

We ended up with two more along the way. Nolan was literally en route to Spindletop with at least $450 in donations pocketed by Leah Purcell when his driver heard about the raid and turned her car around. Feo was illegally pulled from the city of Alvin shelter by Spindletop last winter by fraudulently using Reunion Rescue's federal EIN number.

Feo is boarded in Houston while we raise the money to transport Skinny Dennis to his new home.

Nolan

Nolan is undergoing major veterinary care due to past abuse and being nearly starved to death by his former owners.

Our ability to raise funds for these and other dogs in the care of Reunion Rescue has been seriously impeded by Zandra Anderson, the Texas Dog Lawyer who represents Spindletop. Based on false accusations, Anderson has manipulated the Examiner in pulling all of the articles to try and help Reunion dogs, articles that tell the true story about what happened at Spindletop.

Reunion Rescue depends on these articles to help fund boarding fees, food, medical bills and care for the dogs. Amazingly, Spindletop and the dog lawyer had no problem cashing in the almost $10K paid out in boarding fees since May, 2011.

We have re-published the articles on this blog, Pit Bulls and Other Animals, but still need help to care for the ones still alive who survived the horrors at Spindletop and the other dogs in our care. All of these dogs can be accessed on our website. Some of the crossposted ones like Izzy, the Spindletop girl we tried to help, have been reunited with their owners and will soon be written up in a happy ending article.

Stella thought to be killed by Spindletop

Several of the trolls who populate the Spindletop camp have raised issue with Reunion Rescue raising money to pay for the animals needs. This is how rescue works. Reunion Rescue, unlike Spindletop, is a 501(c)(3) federal non profit in excellent standing. All monies raised go toward the care of animals without salaries, without meals, without house payments, no rum and no fireworks.

We will be getting a vet report on Nolan today with information about his situation and care.

To donate toward Skinny Dennis's transport, please visit our website http://www.reunionrescue.com and click on the donation button.

Feo boarded in Houston

Feo is still in boarding in Houston and will need transport to Austin.

The bills for Amber, BeBe, Nolan, Feo and Angel Skinny Dennis's care, spay/neuter, vet and food total 1661.76 which does not include the monthly boarding for our California dogs at $875 per month.

Reunion Rescue has always kept meticulous records in order to care for the animals in our charge. A concerted effort seems to have been waged to stop Reunion from being able to financially care for the dogs and continue our work in saving animals. Not only have the articles been removed by Zandra Anderson, but the effort to help other animals in need by writing articles has been severely halted.

We have created a page to try and care for our Reunion Rescue Spindletop Refugees:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Reunion-Rescue-Spindletop-Refugees/133786356764302

Spindletop dog

Please stop by and 'like' our page.

The Spindletop followers have attacked me personally for filing bankruptcy. This has never been a secret as the information is public knowledge. I would like to add that rescue work is debilitating and exhausting both financially and physically. Reunion Rescue continued to save animals no matter what hurdles we faced. Never in our almost fifteen years of rescue work have we ever stopped helping animals or turned any animal in our care over to a shelter or to another rescue group.

Skinny Dennis

We are not going to question why anyone would applaud people who run a place that was raided and in which almost 300 animals were seized from urine, feces, vomit-stained filth and attack a rescue trying to help animals. Some of the incredulous statements made by these individuals are astoundingly inaccurate and downright cruel. Personal comments aside, the attacks against Reunion Rescue will not be tolerated.

Our complete history is documented in Pit Bull Nation along with some wonderful resources about raw feeding, homeopathic treatment, detox and training even the most difficult dogs. Should anyone have a realistic complaint, why not do the research first and buy the book? All proceeds like all donations to Reunion go 100% to the dogs.

We would very much appreciate the ability to carry on our mission to save animals.

Truth be Told...last reprint 'Texas Nightmare Recap...What Happened to Nolan?'

The following is the last reprint of the articles Zandra Anderson had removed due to falsified information.

"June 22, the American Pit Bull Examiner covered a story about a dog almost starved to death outside Dallas, Texas.

http://www.examiner.com/article/picture-of-a-living-texas-nightmare

Nolan is safe no thanks to Spindletop

He was relinquished to a rescuer by the couple who abused him and allowed him to reach the state in which he was found. Renamed Nolan, he was taken to a local vet and boarded with the kind donations from his story's readers.

Nolan, like many of the other dogs featured in the American Pit Bull Examiner stories was on his way to entering the Spindletop Refuge board to rescue program. The proprietor, Leah Purcell, was busy arranging the chip in funds to be delegated to her Paypal account shared by Spindletop treasurer, James Brewer. One of the readers who'd commented on the article was bilked for $450 by Purcell apart from the chip in. Nolan had not yet even entered the Spindletop program, for lack of a better term. How many other dogs and their supporters have fallen prey to the Spindletop con game?

When news broke about the July 17 Spindletop raid in which 298 dogs were confiscated, Nolan was en route with his rescuer to Willis, Texas. When Nolan's rescuer heard about the seizure, she turned the car around and drove back toward Dallas.

Typical dog from Spindletop 'refuge'

Nolan was one of the lucky few who barely missed becoming one of the dogs who have been described by HSUS as some of the worst abuse cases encountered. Dogs were found stacked in crates, some welded shut, lying in their own feces, vomit and urine. Nolan, heartworm positive and as starved as Patrick, would not have survived Spindletop.

Yesterday, Nolan arrived here in Austin at our dog foster care facility which has been likened to doggy Disneyland. He's already transitioned and friends with Benny, an extreme abuse case from Turlock, California.

Nolan is eating a raw diet and will slowly put on good, healthy weight. He is currently so thin, he is not a candidate for traditional heartworm treatment or neutering. Lucky for Nolan, he is undergoing the Reunion Rescue herbal heartworm cure featured on the site's Nutrition Page.

Life is good for Nolan. He is a gentle soul, part Great Dane and part American Bulldog. He will be undergoing long term treatment until he's fit, completely healthy and ready to join his forever family.

To donate for Nolan's care, medical, neuter and upkeep, please visit:

http:www.reunionrescue.com 

and click on the donation button.

To send a snail mail check for Nolan, please contact: doggirl1@earthlink.net

Please keep up with the American Pit Bull Examiner for updates on the Spindletop refugees and other stories.

Cindy Marabito of Reunion Rescue writes the American Pit Bull Examiner stories to save lives.

Every click on a story donates to the animals at Reunion Rescue:

American Pit Bull Examiner:

http://www.examiner.com/american-pit-bull-in-national/cindy-marabito

Please subscribe to and keep reading the American Pit Bull column where this and other pit bull stories are followed and the truth, made known.

Join National Examiner's American Pit Bull on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Pit-Bull-Examiner/119043764844618

Check out Pit Bulls and Other Animals blog:

http://doggirlpitbull.blogspot.com/

Author - Pit Bull Nation

Pit Bull Nation is a tell all book about rescuing pit bulls from death row for over twelve years.

Order Pit Bull Nation:

http://www.pitbullnationonline.com

Now available in e-book and print."

Amazingly, the people who continue to try and plead the case for Zandra Anderson, Leah Purcell and Spindletop continue to protest the animals entrusted there were well cared for. The few which have been returned to rescuers bear harsh remnants of the abuse suffered there. These same people are attacking the rescuers instead of the abusers. Hopefully, justice will prevail and all concerned will meet with punishment whether that be jail time for fraud or disbarment for using legal status to manipulate what should be a federal case.

Zandra Anderson used false information to have articles removed from the Examiner. They have been reprinted in full with commentary in these blogs. Unfortunately, the time spent republishing the truthful pieces could have better been delegated by saving other animals, including the ones unclaimed due to the Spindletop raid.

Anderson continues to sling untruths about Reunion Rescue and our work to save animals. Maybe her slurs are a misguided attempt to drive attention away from Purcell and the atrocities which occurred at Spindletop, but to try and stop a qualified rescue group in excellent standing from helping the animals in our care is beyond comprehension.

Reunion Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non profit with impeccable records. Every penny ever collected has been spent to help support the many animals Reunion Rescue has saved over the years and whose stories are told in the book Pit Bull Nation.

We will continue to search for the dogs still missing from Spindletop and the truth about what really happened there, painful as that might be. Anderson, still calling herself the dog lawyer, published a 7 page epitome on No Kill Houston's Facebook page declaring her's and Leah Purcell's innocence along with that of their colleague James 'Cowboy Mind' Brewer whom many of us paid thousands and thousands of dollars via Paypal to board our dogs.

After reading all that wordage, we still have many many questions starting with where are our dogs?

Cindy Marabito Where was the climate control for the Morgan Building?

Yesterday at 10:18am ·  

Cindy Marabito Which dogs were 'buried' or whatever you want to call it, Zandy? And why were the owners not notified?

Yesterday at 10:21am ·

Cindy Marabito RE: Rescue restarted? Where is Abigail, the pit bull puppy you pulled under Treat 'Em Right from BARC and hid with a foster for Spindletop..who collected the board to rescue fee for the dog from at least one unsuspecting donator...and was never turned over as part of the seizure? Where is she now? Is she still alive? Lots of questions.

Yesterday at 10:23am ·  

Cindy Marabito RE: Collecting money for dogs. Where is the money she collected for Nolan, the dog almost starved to death outside Dallas and who never set a paw on Spindletop? Those are only the $$ we've heard about with statements from those affected.

Yesterday at 10:24am ·  

Cindy Marabito James Brewer: So why is almost $10K in Reunion Rescue money paid to Paypal account James Cowboy Mind Brewer? I bet a couple of others out there have siphoned hard earned money to this upstanding law official as well.

Yesterday at 10:26am ·  

Cindy Marabito Brandon Louth....so because he was late to work, that makes him a liar? He positively id'd Stella from the Morgan Building as a dog he'd walked and liked very much. He buried her in whatever you want to call it. So who am I supposed to believe? A guy who didn't show up for work at a place where his job was to bury dogs he'd walked? Or the person who is defending one of the most horrendous animal abusers in history? I think I'll go with the young man who is at least trying to help us find our missing dogs....out of the goodness of his heart.

Yesterday at 10:30am ·  

Cindy Marabito Finally, Zandy, thanks for your own heartfelt consideration about locating the missing dogs. You and your client have had a month to id the dogs missing that were entrusted to Spindletop. Are you so inept that you cannot locate them or is it that you just plain don't give shit?

You bring absolute shame on the justice system. I said it once on your Facebook comment you deleted, so let me repeat...if I have one breath left in my old body, I'll use it to see that your fat ass is disbarred and you are never allowed to practice law in our great state of Texas again.

Yesterday at 10:34am · · 2