Little Darling, Carla-Lou and Baxter, Founders

Since childhood, Little Darling has aided animals. As a young teen, she volunteered regularly for ASPCA Lahaska, and has since been an active member of such advocacy groups as In Defense of Animals and PCRM, helping rescue animals on a grassroots level. She noticed, however, that there was breed discrimination against pit bulls within many of the organizations and shelters where she volunteered. In 1996, Little Darling adopted Carla Lou, the love her life, through Chako.org, after Carla Lou was left for dead in someone's basement. Carla Lou has since been an example for Little Darling, teaching her how to be loving, warm, and full of hope despite bad circumstances, cruelty, and ignorance. When Hurricane Katrina struck, Little Darling was one of the first responders through In Defense of Animals and the HSUS to fly out to Louisiana to help with search and rescue efforts. She spent time at Lamar Dixon tending to the animals pulled from the streets of New Orleans. She saw more pit bulls at the rescue sites than any other breed, and worked tirelessly to help them find shelter and renewed lives. Because of this, she was invited by the HSUS to join N-Dart (National Disaster Animal Response Team). In 2006, after fostering several pit bulls, Little Darling adopted her "foster-failure", Baxter. Baxter is a Parvo survivor and had a caustic chemical poured all over him by his previous "guardian" (who was not prosecuted by the city ofTrenton, NJ where it took place). These chemical burns are there for life. Though he is finally not sensitive in those areas, it has caused quite a bit of nerve damage and remains an eyesore. Despite this cruelty, Baxter remains a loyal, energetic, and sincere companion. Living with two animal-cruelty survivors while experiencing the rising discrimination against the pit bull breed in the media and the implementation of Breed-Specific Legislation has stirred Little Darling to action. In 2006, she decided to start a fundraising project that would benefit pit bull/bully-friendly rescues, while using her talents and skills in business, modeling, event planning, and performing. Teaming up with creative friends, photographers, and models, she founded Pinups for Pitbulls. Through creating an annual pinup calendar, selling other merchandise, and throwing events, Pinups for Pitbulls, Inc. raises money and awareness to benefit the health and welfare of this largely misunderstood breed. The goal is to restore the former image of the American Pit Bull Terrier as war hero, helper, nanny, companion and friend. Pinups for Pitbulls also seeks to ban BSL, (breed-specific-legislation), and to lobby against dog fighting, puppy mills, and cruelty to pit bulls. Little Darling believes that public education combined with the pro-pit bull testimonies of beautiful, strong women (especially using the All-American pinup image) will help to counterbalance the stigma that the media and animal abusers have placed on pit bulls and bully-breeds. After 2 years of production and almost tripling in distribution, sales, and funds raised since 2006, she is encouraged by the positive response. Pinups for Pitbulls is now incorporated, and currently filing for 501-c3 status. Little Darling lives in Pennsylvania with furkids Baxter and Carla Lou. Click below to download her article on pit bulls, bully-breeds, and BSL. To contact her for interviews or a press kit, to notify her about a pit bull issue in your area, or to otherwise get involved, please write to littledarling@pinupsforpitbulls.com, or message her through myspace at www.myspace.com/pinupsforpitbulls.