Star (the red dog in the photo) is a trail blazer of the best kind. She survived a dog fighting operation in the Los Angeles area and was the first adult dog that L.A. County Animal Services has ever released to rescue from that environment. She doesn't care too much about her past, though. Once she moved into our Rescue Barn, she got busy learning how to be a real dog. That included the happiest fun of all: The joy of having human leaders who care very much about her happiness and the friendships of the other on-site dogs. To say that this girl's life did a 180 is an understatement.

"Martin is a CGC star and competes in both Rally and Obedience.  His full name right now is actually 'NOLA's Rider of the Storm CGC, RN, BN.' Quite a mouthful for a little scaredy dog. The RN signifies that he has earned his title in Rally Novice and the BN signifies that he has earned his Beginner Novice Title.  He has two legs toward his RA (Rally Advanced) Title and one leg toward his CD (Companion Dog) Title. The very best compliment I get (besides how stinking cute he is, lol) is what a fine working dog he is ... What a far cry from when we first started training and he would spend most of class in his crate, worried. High praise when it comes from the Border Collie and Aussie people and a testament to how resilient these dogs are and how much they want to do what is asked of them. I am so proud of him. Trialing is difficult for a noise sensitive,  super handler soft dog. If I am too nervous, he gets worried. But he has not only sucked it up, but excelled and enjoyed it. He LOVES to be right and I love to see those little white feet flashing in my peripheral vision as he Heels in his little happy prance." - Tina Vickrey

Callie was a shy lass when she was pulled from a local shelter. She moved through our Pit Bull Hall program and was adopted to Roxanne Alden, a committed educator in the north bay. One of Callie's favorite jobs is to help kids learn about pit bulls during humane education summer camps at Pets Lifeline. We understand she's very good at what she does!

Hector survived the Bad Newz Kennels with an amazingly optimistic attitude. Covered in deep and damaging fight scars, he's been one of the most celebrated examples of a dog who left his painful past behind him. Shown here in his new home, Hector has been friendly with dogs since we first met him during evaluations in Viriginia, throughout his fostercare in CA and on into his adoptive home in MN with Clara and Roo Yori.

Hector's resume is long and impressive (Canine Good Citizen, Certified Therapy Dog, ATTS star), but his biggest claim to fame is probably his ability to charm fans with his famous Hector flop.  Boasting dozens of media appearances since his rescue, Hector's adopters are committed to educating people everywhere through his example. This boy has certainly transformed from victim of cruelty to media darling. Visit this webpage for just some of headlines that brought Hector and his yardmates to America's living rooms. 

Frodo was just a pup when he was confiscated from Vick's dog fighting operation. The rough beginnings and months spent in a substandard VA shelter were hard on this young dog's psyche, but he showed an impressive desire to connect despite his obvious fear issues. When he first came to BR, he was too shy to even take treats from our hands and he sat stiff as a board when he was held. Months of gentle coaxing helped us see the real Frodo underneath the scaredy-cat. This dog has a big lust for life and a heart the size of Texas. His natural sense of optimism has been helping him to get to the other side of his fears - one boogie man at a time. Foster mom turned adopter Kim Ramirez has been Frodo's biggest life-line to the real world. With her help, along with the example of dog friends who remind him how to be brave, Frodo has made incredible strides and has become one of our favorite all-time success stories. Bless you, Sweet Frodo!

Jonny Justice was one of 49 pit bull type dogs confiscated from NFL player Michael Vick's dog fighting operation. All that's behind him now. Jonny's been adopted to Cris Cohen and Jennifer Long in San Francisco and lives with girl dog Lily. 

He's been showing up in lots of media, thanks to his good looks and his gift for encouraging kids to read as a reading assistant dog. Fans can spot him in the in PBS special, The Dogs Are Alright, the CBS Morning Show report on The Lost Dogs and see him on the Rachael Ray Show.

True to form. Jonny earned his CGC (Canine Good Citizen certification) and passed his evaluation with the American Temperament Test Society. He's not done! Keep your eye on this little rascal as he continues to win hearts and break down stereotypes.

Photo credit: Laura Moss for the 2011 Unexpected Pit Bull Calendar

Audie was one of 49 pit bull type dogs confiscated from NFL player Michael Vick's dog fighting operation. All that's behind him now. He's been adopted to gifted dog trainer Linda Chwistek and her husband Bill Long, and shares his home with two other pit bulls.

Zippy was one of 49 pit bull type dogs confiscated from NFL player Michael Vick's dog fighting operation. All that's behind her now. She smoothed right into the lively Hernandez home with kids and a dog buddy named Crash. She helped her people raise two tiny babies - Francisco, shown here, and Tatiana, a brand new little sister. 

She made a splash in Pulitzer Prize photographer Carol Guzy's photo essay on the Vick dogs in the Washington Post. And she has the proud honor of having peed at the feet of Jim Gorant, author of the celebrated book, 'Lost Dogs.'

Photo credit: Deanna Fitzmaurice for Sports Illustrated.

Ernie was one of 49 pit bull type dogs confiscated from NFL player Michael Vick's dog fighting operation. During evaluations, Ernie was so dog friendly that he was used by evaluators to sort out the other dogs' limits with dogs.

Now a happy resident of California, he's been happily adopted to Andy and Sasha Gibbs and lives with a pit mix female named Hannah. Ernie earned his CGC (Canine Good Citizen certification) and seems to have forgotten all about his sad beginnings - as he should. Ernie has always been a reminder that dogs live in the present. 

Photo Credit: Deanne Fitzmaurice for Sports Illustrated

This lughead came from the infamous Bad Newz Kennels and smoothed right into a foster home with toddler Sam, who promptly named him 'Ted Baby' or 'Teddles.' (Story here) He was so happy about his newfound fate that it was hard at times to contain his enthusiasm - Like the proverbial bull in a china shop, he'd run in joyful circles around the house as if furniture was just an inconvenience. Young Sam learned to hug the walls during his zoomies.

We just love that Cindy Houser - the home that stepped forward to adopt him - had no idea he was a 'Vick dog,' and no one in the group remembered to mention it until far into the adoption. Oops! Cindy just shrugged. She loved him for his charms, not his celebrity. Together they mastered Ted's fear of trains and scary sounds and he went on to earn his Canine Good Citizen certification. He's still a big baby and one of our favorite dogs from the case. Look for Ted in Melissa McDaniel's fabulous new photo book that celebrates pit bull type dogs. The Photo Book Series.

Vessa was whelped in makeshift box that literally doubled as a fighting pit. After a multi-state arrest that netted her abuser along with 29 other soon to be convicted dog fighters, she was shuffled to an Oklahoma shelter in what is being called the largest dog fighting operation sting in our country. Vessa flew home to CA on the lap of BR rep Tim Racer after he evaluated her and her friends at the shelter. She grew up in a foster home that prizes obedience work (VIDEO) and then went on to join a team of therapy dogs with Furry Friends Pet Assisted Therapy Services, thanks to her doting adopters, Bruce and Alven.

She now follows her pit/mix brother Tahoe's paw prints by visiting nursing homes, facilities for disabled or seriously ill children, hospital rehabilitation wards, the Children's Shelter and psychiatric facilities in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, CA. 

You've come a long way from the fighting pit, little Vessa! 

Frida became an internet celebrity when we introduced her grizzled face on our blog and lamented the challenge of finding her the right home (recap). Friends watched the trials and tribulations of our search. She was divine with people, sassy with dogs and just a little more weathered than your average dog. Not an easy dog to place, but the BR volunteers who cared for her saw her inner glow and worked hard to make her every bit as desirable as the younger dogs who kept stealing her homes. Video. After all, Frida certainly believed in Frida - so should we! We cheered when she finally found that perfect home with - surprise! - another dog. She's best known through the wisdom of this popular blog post, which explains the ins and outs of introducing a sassy diva to a canine love affair: Driving in the Slow Lane. This post is referred to constantly and continues to help dogs everywhere. Thank you, Frida.