[Purple]

BREED IN NEED

SUPPORT PIT BULLS VIA YOUR HOLIDAY PURCHASES

By JULIA SZABO

Now that Michael Vick's been sentenced for engaging in the crime of dogfighting, consider supporting pit bulls - America's most abused dog breed - by showing your disapproval of animal cruelty via your last-minute holiday purchases.

There are many opportunities to do just that, starting with "The Unexpected Pit Bull Calendar," which features shocking photographs of pit bulls doing what comes naturally: hugging babies and pregnant women, and just being beautifully behaved. All proceeds go to the rescue and adoption efforts of Liberty Humane Society, where, as at most animal shelters across the country, the majority of dogs are pits.

October's calendar pup is Geoffrey, a therapy dog who visits hospitals in Florida to spread love; the pits featured in January (Mister Tibbs) and April (Little Dude) both earned their AKC Canine Good Citizen certificates. This calendar happens to be a favorite of America's sweetheart Rachael Ray, whose own sweetheart is a pit bull named Isaboo; $17.99, theunexpectedpitbull.com.

If one calendar isn't enough, get another for yourself or a friend from the Left Coast nonprofit BADRAP (Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls), which offers two versions, "Pit Bulls Exposed!" ($20) and "Pibbles 'n' Kids" ($21.99); badrap.org.

Speaking of rescued pit bulls, Daisy Dog Studio creates gorgeous porcelain tableware for people, with matching bowls for pets. The real Daisy is a rescued pit, so her owner, company founder Emily McCoy, donates all profits from pet bowls to rescue group Out of the Pits (outofthepits.org).

Animal shelters all over New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are filled to capacity with sweet pits. For a best friend at a bargain price, go to the Manhattan or Brooklyn shelter (nycacc.org), where the adoption fee is just $55 - money that helps the shelters care for the city's abandoned pets.

js@pet-reporter.com

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12162007...need_73884.htm