(Nov. 3, 2016) Reality television show star and fearless pit bull advocate Luigi “Shorty” Rossi is scheduled to headline an afternoon event on Sunday at A Diamond on Pearl, 111 Pearl Street, in downtown Snow Hill.
Owner of the shop and organizer of the event, Jack Helgeson, thought the event would make a nice addition to the slate of current and ongoing activities in town. One of the featured artists in A Diamond on Pearl’s gallery, Dawn Tarr, knows Rossi, Helgeson said.
An avid dog lover and owner of a pit bull mix himself, Helgeson understands, but doesn’t subscribe to, some of the criticisms of the breed.
“They are strong dogs. They are not mean dogs,” he said. “I had a little dachshund mix that would take your hand off as soon as look at you, but my Jamie is the sweetest boy in the world.”
Rossi, has finished his run on Animal Planet’s “Pit Boss,” and has closed down his pit bull rescue operation in favor of advocating against breed-specific legislation, arguing that it’s the people involved with the activities, not a specific kind of animal, that warrant scrutiny.
Shorty’s Charities, as his operation is now known, has switched to a full-time awareness and advocacy campaign for so-called “bully breeds” including pit bull, Staffordshire and Boston terriers, among others.
In addition to Rossi’s appearance from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a number of other animal rescue or pet-oriented services will be on display, Helgeson said.
The Worcester County Humane Society will be on hand, as will veterinarian Dr. Lisa Bisman, who only makes house calls.
Training services and groomers will also be present, Helgeson said, as well as Pets on Wheels and K9 Rescue of the Eastern Shore.
“It’s all pet-centric, free to the public and to vendors,” he said. “Please come and feel free to bring your dogs.”
In addition to the activities, there will also be some fundraising for Rossi’s charities with a local spin. Helgeson said he was going to set up a “kissing booth” for dogs, at the rate of 25 cents per kiss, or five for $1.
Half the money raised will go to Rossi’s charity, Helgeson said, while the other half would go to the organization currently operating the booth.
Helgeson said there was still space for vendors at the event, and interested parties should call him at 443-477-8302.
Owner of the shop and organizer of the event, Jack Helgeson, thought the event would make a nice addition to the slate of current and ongoing activities in town. One of the featured artists in A Diamond on Pearl’s gallery, Dawn Tarr, knows Rossi, Helgeson said.
An avid dog lover and owner of a pit bull mix himself, Helgeson understands, but doesn’t subscribe to, some of the criticisms of the breed.
“They are strong dogs. They are not mean dogs,” he said. “I had a little dachshund mix that would take your hand off as soon as look at you, but my Jamie is the sweetest boy in the world.”
Rossi, has finished his run on Animal Planet’s “Pit Boss,” and has closed down his pit bull rescue operation in favor of advocating against breed-specific legislation, arguing that it’s the people involved with the activities, not a specific kind of animal, that warrant scrutiny.
Shorty’s Charities, as his operation is now known, has switched to a full-time awareness and advocacy campaign for so-called “bully breeds” including pit bull, Staffordshire and Boston terriers, among others.
In addition to Rossi’s appearance from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a number of other animal rescue or pet-oriented services will be on display, Helgeson said.
The Worcester County Humane Society will be on hand, as will veterinarian Dr. Lisa Bisman, who only makes house calls.
Training services and groomers will also be present, Helgeson said, as well as Pets on Wheels and K9 Rescue of the Eastern Shore.
“It’s all pet-centric, free to the public and to vendors,” he said. “Please come and feel free to bring your dogs.”
In addition to the activities, there will also be some fundraising for Rossi’s charities with a local spin. Helgeson said he was going to set up a “kissing booth” for dogs, at the rate of 25 cents per kiss, or five for $1.
Half the money raised will go to Rossi’s charity, Helgeson said, while the other half would go to the organization currently operating the booth.
Helgeson said there was still space for vendors at the event, and interested parties should call him at 443-477-8302.