 Monday, February 13th, 2012 "Last night, our community lost five remarkable Pit Bull Ambassadors. And one of our area's most devoted and dedicated Pit Bull advocate couples lost their entire family in a devastating house fire. You may not know Junior and Renae Biggs. But you KNOW them. They are you. They are me. They are all of us. All of us who are passionate about our dogs. Renae and Junior are equal opportunity advocates a...nd their dogs came from both shelters and local rescue organizations. Dre, the brindle puppy shown in Junior's arms, was an Hcas Pit Crew puppy, adopted this summer from HCAS. We are a community in grief right now. Please consider donating what you are able to help the Biggs provide a proper memorial service and burial for their kids, and to help them get back on their feet after this horrific tragedy. A chip-in has been established for the Biggs family: www.thebiggsfamily.chipin.com ~Connie Johnson of Best Friends Animal Society, stationed at Hillsborough County Animal Services  Monday, February 13th, 2012
Ashlie Burke, Pit Stop Bully's Rescue in Tampa, Florida places this note on her Facebook Page:
"The whole community is at a loss tonight. Renae and Jr Biggs went to the store to get dog food. In the short time that they were gone an electrical fire had started in their room. They came home to hear the fire alarm ringing which put them in a maniacal rush to save their 5 dogs. They were able to get all of them out into the front yard where the fire department performed pet CPR on each of them. However, they were unsucessful in their attempts. All 5 of their beloved pets, were gone.
 
Kilo, Alexis, Angel, Romeo & Dre were loved by their community and each was of them was an idependent example of greatness and exemplified the positive side of their incredible breed. Each had recieved their "Good Citizenship" Pit Bull Ambassadors and were loved by the community.
Along with the loss of the dogs they also lost precious family heirlooms that were in the closet next to where the fire started. So now they have to start all over, and do it while grieving for their beloved pets. The funeral expenses for Kilo, Alexis, Angel, Romeo & Dre are estimated at about $1800 total. They will also need the help with clothes and food and household items. If you would like to donate items please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ."
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 - Valentine's Day More from Ashlie Burke: "A few of us went and visited the Renae & Junior Biggs last night. As soon as I got out of my car, the smell overwhelmed me. From the front of the home, it looked like a normal house. The inside told a much different story. Junior took me through the house, showing me where the fire started and where each dog was. Not everyone was in the bedroom, as previously thought. The fire started because of a...n electrical issue, and luckily none of the dogs were burned. Each of them past due to Carbon Monoxide, each in the place the Biggs' left them. They only went out for dog food and dinner for themselves. In a matter of 2 hours, everything they loved in this world was taken from them.
They have a wonderful insurance company who is already beginning the process of restoration. They deemed about 95% of everything in the house as a total loss. A Pet Crematory service came out the night of the fire at about midnight and collected each of their dogs from their front lawn. Thankfully, Rugaz Rescue has taken on the financial burden for the family and is paying for the service. (Kudos to the firemen who performed CPR on each dog, though they were already gone ♥ ) Renae & Junior were both due for surgery this week. That's why they went for dog food that night. They wanted to be sure they had everything in place, so not to put any extra burden on family & friends. In an antique dresser in their bedroom was the $$ they'd put aside towards both surgeries. A total of about $25k in traveler's checks & cash. All that's left of the dresser is the base. 
There's a list of their immediate needs listed on the Chip-In link. "The Biggs familyOrganized by Pitbull Community"Support is pouring from all over the US, and they'll need it to continue. Please help if you can. There is also a new Facebook Page in The Biggs Family's honor called "The Biggs Family Fire Fund." Check it out for updates, etc. on how they're doing or to simply leave a note letting them know you care.
~Ashlie Burke, Pit Stop Bully's ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ An example of a true leader. Junior and Romeo show off their skills :) JR Biggs spent 15 hours a day with his beloved dogs, making them the Ambassadors they were.
here's a great example of a dogs focus and devotion to his master.
Run Free Romeo, with your pack mates.
We're taking care of mommy & daddy down here!
 ~~~~~~~~ From Belinda Diaz: I have had a lot of emails with people wanting to donate household items. Although these will be very much needed at some point.. right now they would not have where to store everything. What they are in immediate need of... right now is clothes, toiletries and money to help them get back on their feet. Drop-Off Locations for items * Hillsborough County Animal Services *A storage space/warehouse will soon be available to store furniture from donations until they have secured a place to live.
This picture is of the memorial they erected last night for their dogs. All 5 names are written on the cross. It's surrounded by stuffed animals and flowers, placed on one of the dog's sheets that was salvageable, and guarded by 5 candles. Five sweet lives of our community's Pit Bull Ambassadors, gone far too soon. Hundreds of hearts broken. We're going to start planning a bigger fundraiser, but in the meantime....please give if you can & please keep them lifted up in your thoughts, prayers. xoxoxox" Ashlie Burke, Pit Stop Bully's Rescue, Tampa, Florida
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Saturday, April 21st, 2012
10:00AM - 4:00PM
Treasure Island Fun Center
BellaDOG Newsletter |
Franklin family’s dogs taken by animal officer, placed with new owners
FRANKLIN, Maine — Last fall, the Warren family had two Golden Retrievers, Bella and Jake, that were considered integral members of a household which includes four young children. Now the dogs have been placed with a new owner somewhere in New England after they took off from the Warrens’ yard in early November and failed to return.
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