According to my Mother, I started rescuing animals when I was 3 years old. Oddly, my very first animal rescues were of deceased animals. Our home in Mississippi backed up to a huge forest so Daddy had easy access to good hunting grounds. He would return home with his back pack full of dead animals. My young mind reasoned that because their bodies were still warm, the animals could be saved. I would hide them all over the house- ducks, dove, rabbits, and squirrels- and pray that my Daddy would forget about them.Dogs have always been a part of my life. In the early 90′s I found myself deeply in love with a pit bull named Josey. She and I made many trips to Memphis and ate a lot of ice cream. She was my friend and my teacher. I have to be honest and admit that at first I had some of the same misunderstandings and misconceptions about pit bulls that lots of people have. After first-hand experience with this amazing being Josey, and other pit bulls, the breed won me over.
Well, many years have passed ……… and I am still in love with pit bulls. I have dedicated my life to the rescue and rehabilitation of this wonderful breed. I take every opportunity to re-educate people about the true nature of pit bulls, how kind and loving they are. My inspiration comes from the dogs …..
……….with their hearts of gold……………
Donna Velez
July 17, 2003