Our Story
Here at Pittie Party, we believe that dogs were created to teach us unconditional love… But Pit Bulls were created to teach us how to love unconditionally.
The party began in November 2022 when Franklin, quite literally, walked into my life. His foster mom was desperately looking to find a home for Franklin after he was abandoned by his owner. Franklin and I looked at one another and we just knew - he’s my boy and I’m his human. From that moment, we’ve been inseparable. From long walks by the river and hiking through the woods, to Sunday morning snuggles and curling up on the couch for a movie night, Franklin has proven he’s nothing more than a mush who just wants to be loved. But no matter how sweet and wonderful he is, there are still people who cross the street to avoid walking near us. There are still nervous glances when I tell people this perfect, 75 pound teddy bear with cropped ears and a goofy grin is a Pit Bull, and a rescue to boot. But despite, or maybe in spite of all the prejudice others have shown him, Franklin is still the sweetest, happiest, most loving pup.
It was less than a year later that we found Francine abandoned in the woods just off a nature trail where Franklin likes to walk. It was the middle of August in South Carolina, so hot that it hurt to breathe, yet Franklin refused to get into the car to go home. Instead of demanding we get back to the air conditioning as soon as possible, Franklin pulled me right back into the trees. It didn’t take very long for us to find little Frannie, sitting by a tree with her tail in between her legs. She was thin, covered in fleas, had skin infections, a cherry eye, and had clearly been abused. There were two large round metal bowls near her, but both were bone dry and caked in dirt. There was a chewed up leash tied to a nearby tree but, even though she did not have a collar and was not tied up with the leash, Frannie was terrified to leave that spot in the woods. She was abandoned, abused, and terrified. But I couldn’t just leave her there. So I dragged Franklin back to the car and brought him home, got a spare collar, leash, and some treats, and coaxed little Frannie into the car so I could get her some proper care.
However, once I got her into the car I had no idea what to do. The local non-profit rescue was closed for the evening. The local animal shelter was above capacity and, not to mention, 100% of the dogs on the shelter’s euthanasia list were Pit Bulls. I posted pictures of her in local neighborhood groups, but nobody claimed her. Between Franklin’s vet bills, student loans, and the rising cost of living, money was tight and it just didn’t seem possible for me to keep her… But the least I could do is get some of the fleas off of her. So I took her home and put her right in the shower, gave her a good scrub, and got as many of the fleas off of her as I could. With each flea gone, each head scratch, and each encouraging word, Frannie’s smile got bigger and her but got wigglier. Franklin and I both fell so in love with her that it might literally break our hearts to give her up. So, at that point, I realized I had a choice to make: do I find her a home and then wallow in self-pity, or do I do everything in my power to give this little girl a chance at a happy and love-filled life, consequences be damned? The choice was actually quite clear.
Ever since finding Franklin and Frannie, my life has been nothing but snuggles, kisses, the occasional chewed up shoe, and an endless flow of unconditional love. But the sad reality is that a large number of pits don’t get to experience the love and joy of snuggling up with their humans. In fact, many pits, particularly in areas where dog fighting runs rampant, are abused, neglected, and abandoned. So we started Pittie Party with two goals: to show the world our support for pitties through apparel as cute as velvet hippos themselves, and to help generate income for seriously underfunded and overcrowded shelters so that Pits are kept off kill lists.
With lots of love, kisses, and cuddles:
Jess, Franklin, and Francine
Founders
