I grew up in Plain City, Ohio, with springer spaniels and cocker spaniels. When I was twenty years old I adopted my first pit bull mix, a red girlie named Mercedez. Though I had grown up with dogs I had never really formed a bond with any of them. Mercedez changed all that. She was my strong, loving, gentle, goofy girl. For 8 years she was my best friend in the world. She opened up my eyes to the world of pit bulls and the struggles both dog and owner must go through. Mercedez moved with me to Goose Creek, SC and then to Norfolk, VA while I was in the Navy. Everyone who met her loved her, including my significant other, Joe. His love for her and the breed led us to adopt Charlie, our American Pit Bull Terrier. Sadly, she developed an inoperable brain tumor and I lost her in February, 2008, just a month before I was discharged from active duty. In her honor I decided to help make a better name for the breed. I hope that more people can have good experiences with pit bulls, as I have. The picture isn't the most recent, but it's me & my Mercedez. She's was and always will be my baby girl!

If you are interested in volunteering for New Hope Pit Bull Rescue, please contact Meghan at meg@nhpbr.org