More (!) Minnesota Thugs

Economy-Eshonomy. Sigh. It feels like a day when we could all use a little thuggery. Minnesota has been offering up a steady supply of exploits, including Hector's rap sheet, which continues to grow. Here's some more, from Amanda Jackson of MN (thank you Amanda!):

I'm a thug in my late 20s (does that mean I'm past my prime?). I have my B.A. in Human Development, though I currently stay home with our thug baby. My thuggish ruggish husband is an instructor at a power plant, though we usually keep that to ourselves so as not to risk our street cred.

But we weren't always thugs...no...but one day we decided to go to the dark side. A pittie name Paisley dragged us over and so our thug life began. We also recently began fostering through A Rotta Love Plus here in MN. Our current thug-dog-in-residence is Mischief, a little bull terrier pup. He has settled into the thug life quite nicely, enjoying daily play sessions--er, or do I mean fights?!--with Paisley, usually followed by a nice nap on one of the many dog beds strewn around the house. We do feed them daily, though we've heard withholding can toughen them up. Outside time is critical to the thug life--I mean people have to see the tough dogs for it to count right?!

Other interesting facets of our oh-so-thug life: we listen to NPR more than we watch TV, we bike as a family (sans dogs for now, though we're trying to figure out to include them), we cloth diaper and strive to use fewer disposable products over all, we buy organic when we can and when it makes sense, and are generally just trying to live a more natural, meaningful life. And all with 2 dangerous dogs in the house...just how do we do it?! Oh and don't forget the cats--adopted cats are another critical part of our thug life, right?!

I included a few pictures. One is our son Grady with recent foster dog Pumba (red and white). And my husband Jeremy getting some good Paisley lovin', that girl is a total Daddy's girl. ;) - Amanda M Jackson

Who ARE you people, anyway?

Speaking of Thug Nation, it's been SO interesting to read the occupations of people who sign up for alerts via our mailing list. Here's a small sampling of pit bull owners who are getting in touch:

dog trainer, cashier, shelter manager, retired law enforcement, executive assistant, office clerk, RN, personal trainer, sales, frozen goods associate, refrideration tech, medic, letter carrier, spanish interpreter, executive protection specialist, retail, veterinary receptionist, customer service manager at humane society, contractor, homemaker, single mom, animal control, clerk, humane society volunteer, nurse, writer, financial analyst, spay neuter clinic director, dog groomer, mental health therapist, manager, police officer, social worker, hair stylist, retired, manager fishin tackle outlet, administrative assistant, tech support, graphic artist, sales executive, banker, research associate, accountant, event producer, radiation therapist, children's psychotherapist, dog boarding, financial analyst, photographer, shelter manager, legal secretary, student, teacher, marketing writer, business analyst, realtor, arts admin, truck driver, e-bay seller, self employed, media planning, program assistant for musular dystrophy association, mom, occupational therapist, yoga/pilates teacher, paralegal, speech therapist, director of a private high school, cpa, office clerk, military officer, construction, police detective, architect, kindergarten teacher, HR manager, executive director HSPCA, veterinarian, librarian

If you aren't on our mailing list - sign up HERE for the very-occasional update and alert. Thank you!