FOX 13 News - Tampa BayThis beautiful video shows the power and compassion of a therapy dog at a hospice center in Oregon. "JJ" is comforting a woman who was dying, and who had no fam...(Turn up the audio). Thanks to Tracy Calhoun and JJ, Hospice Therapy Dog for allowing us to share. 5 posts, read 27,035 times 4,924 posts, read 5,326,650 times 310 posts, read 651,697 times Originally Posted by Dappleganger This was my understanding also, is their certain companies that do or do not allow certain breeds? Is there anything I can do as a potential renter to helpe? 3,530 posts, read 5,875,888 times 8,204 posts, read 27,950,565 times Originally Posted by Yamanube Do you have Pit Bulls or American Bulldogs? If they're American Bulldogs, then I'd adjust the verbage with potential landlords. Call them "bulldogs" for starters, since they're not technically pit bulls. I wouldn't offer the description of "pit" unless/until absolutely necessary, at least not at the onset.

Once the landlord has an idea of the kind of person you are, the you can discuss the dogs. I can't think of a single insurer that DOES allow pits, at least not without a major tradeoff. My insurer does not know I have a pit and a 1/2 pit and I would be dropped if they knew. I'm a homeowner and I have a mortgage so I am required by the bank to carry homeowner's insurance, yet no insurer wants to cover my dogs. It's a sticky situation. As a renter, you actually have a little more support than I do and I'll give you a link at the bottom. Originally Posted by fsu813 Both in dog friendly neighborhoods with plenty of other pits...A neighborhood with plenty of other pits, not a good thing! Three pits moved into my previously "pit-free" neighborhood ('cept for mine ) and I can't even walk my dogs in the neighborhood anymore . Unfortunately, there are a lot of first-time pit bull owners in Jacksonville and they learn the hard way that these dogs cannot be allowed off-leash...If the landlords in that part of town don't mind renting to pit bull owners, that's a good thing.

Don't be discouraged, just be prepared for a lot more legwork than the usual renter. I definitely recommend finding a private home owner to rent from and of course a well-fenced backyard. You will find somewhere to rent, FSU already has some leads for you. Okay, here are some links... The Humane Society has a campaign for pet renters. This is a link to a good step-by-step: Renting With Pets : The Humane Society of the United States PBRC has a forum that I'm sure can be of more assistance: Pit Bull Rescue Central I also recommend going onto the DOGS forum right here on City-Data. It is a very active site and you'll get lots of help. This last one is more of a link for everyone. It explains the difference between some of the "pit" dog types: Also love this one - it's "Find The Pit Bull!" - not so easy!! Here is the answer page: I applaude you for your dedication to your dogs. It's not easy in these times. I've always been a fan of the underdogs though, and the pittie is the ultimate underdog !

Good luck to you! Pits take a very long time to mature. A young pit - under 4 years of age - might fare well in a dog park for the first few years. Once they fully mature, it can be a very different story. I grew up with bully breeds and continue to have them today so I have essentially been around them for about 40 years - long before they were "popular". Bobcat Tree Shear For SaleI currently have 2 street pits in my home, one of which was used for fighting before I took her in. Bed Bath And Beyond Curved Shower Curtain RodI'm no expert, but I know enough.House For Sale Walcott Ar 1,173 posts, read 2,092,871 timesBrowse Off-Leash Dog Parks in Jacksonville, FL, US Confederate Point Dog Park Locals rave about this fenced off-leash dog park, which includes benches, pavilions, plenty of waste disposal stations, doggie drinking fountains and separate small dog area.

Dogwood Dog Park is a 42-acre space (25 acres of which are currently fenced) that provides fitness, relaxation, and socializing opportunities for both you and your dog. Dogs can run off-leash to their hearts' content in ... Fresh Prints Forest Dog Park Bring your pet to play off-leash at this fenced private dog park, which gazebo and benches. Be sure to bring water. Katheryn Abby Hanna Park & Beach Commonly referred to as Hanna Park, Katheryn Abby Hanna Park welcomes leashed dogs throughout the year in the park and at the beach. This 450-acre park offers a water park, freshwater lake, pet friendly campground, hiking ... St. John's Town Center Dog Park Fenced are in front of Dick's Sporting Goods Ed Austin Dog Park An 18 hole golf course transitioned into a family sports venue and exercise complex. Follow the old golf cart trail for a 1.75 mile walk or go into the 4 acres of off leash dog park. Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park Two off-leash dog parks await your different sized pups.

One for the big ones, and one for the little ones. Outside of the park, roam miles of trails with your four-legged friend. This shaded park has separate fenced-in areas for large and small dogs. There is no water available, but plenty of trash cans and waste baggies.Here it is, laid out in blue and orange: A map of all the places in this country where folks with pit bulls are best to avoid. This is a screenshot of the BSL Census map, so it's non-interactive. On the BSL Census website itself, clicking on a state brings you to a page listing all the instances of BSL in that state. Diaz and Van Zant are asking for help from people who know of instances of BSL, or changes in the law, that aren't now accounted for on their site. This map is part of a project called the BSL Census. BSL stands for breed-specific legislation -- laws and regulations, enacted at the city or county level, that ban or restrict the keeping of dogs by breed, typically targeting pit bulls. Dogs like Rottweilers, Dobermans and chows are also frequently also affected by the laws.

The states in which at least some jurisdictions have breed bans are shown in those big, big swaths of blue. They sure are big swaths! "On one hand, it shows people how big the problem of BSL is," says Ronnie Van Zant, a dog trainer and founder of the group Pit Bull Advocates of the United States, who is one of two researchers who have spent the past two years putting together the BSL Census. "On the other hand, it can be daunting to look at this map and see how many people are affected by BSL, and get overwhelmed and feel as if there isn’t anything they can do to really fight it, since it is such a huge problem," Van Zant says. "We know otherwise though, so through our effort to provide them with the most detailed database of BSL out there we are also providing them with the ways they can help in their own communities to educate and fight against existing or proposed BSL." Van Zant and Kris Diaz, who keeps a blog called Stop BSL, say they hope their project will not only help families know where they aren't welcome, but will also light a fire under dog lovers who want to get political, by showing where such efforts are needed.

"This map keeps people safe and the public educated," says Van Zant. There's reason for optimism. Pit bulls have become more visible as therapy dogs, police dogs and even plain old goofy pets no different from other dogs, except in how they're treated (including their depressingly high euthanasia rate in shelters). Despite some untrue but persistent negative stereotypes that keep the fearmongers frothing, BSL is increasingly falling out of favor. In January, Utah became the 19th state to prohibit localities from enacting or enforcing BSL, which the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Bar Association, and even President Barack Obama, have found to be expensive to enforce, and terrible for families and pets, while providing no public safety benefit. Because the BSL Census tracks a rapidly changing landscape -- communities week by week are reconsidering and scrapping these laws in favor of breed-neutral dog regulations -- Diaz and Van Zant are asking folks to get in touch if they know about any laws their project is missing.

"If they can provide a copy of the ordinance as well, that would be fabulous. One of the hardest parts of this is contacting small towns to get an actual copy of the law," says Diaz. The hope, of course, is that, in not too much time, the map will be filled with massive patches of green, representing a country in which well-behaved dogs of all varieties are welcome with open arms (and maybe a biscuit or two, but let's not too greedy). Yes, the two people who've spent the past two years making this map are hoping their hard work soon becomes obsolete. "I have been tracking BSL for some time now and I can say with an absolute certainty that the tide is turning," says Diaz. "The science is better, our understanding of canine behavior is better and common sense is prevailing. It may seem at times that is not the case, but when we are able to go back and take stock each year, it is clear. The BSL Census will be a visceral reminder of this, as we see the lists shrink year by year."