Here’s a confession…I love reality television. As I’m typing this, I’m laughing at the latest episode of The Real Housewives OC (can you Believe Vicki’s son-in-law’s behavior) and just finished rolling my eyes at the season finale of Princes of Long Island (going to the emergency room for a Benedryl doesn’t equate to dying). Bravo provides pure entertainment. That being said, when I heard that animal rescue was heading to reality, I thought of a couple of other shows that I thought were supposed to be about rescue, but were more focused on the drama between the humans.
I have a feeling we’re about to see a new reality television show with Boston Underdogs.
Image courtesy of TLC and Boston Underdogs
Stacia Gorgone, KickAss K9 and Boston Underdogs
This week, I got to speak with a woman after my own heart. She’s a fiery Bostonian who doing her best to find homes for all of her rescues. She’s a dog mom of three (like me), she’s passionate (like me), and she started KickAss K9 and once you experience Stacia Gorgone, you know that her rescue couldn’t have any other name, because she is KICK ASS!
We spent nearly 45 minutes talking over each other about rescue. I can’t tell you how excited I am that FINALLY animal rescue is being spotlighted and I love that TLC stepped up to take on this hot topic and her show. Stacia was actually approached by several networks, but wanted TLC, because she knew they would tell her story.
We’re not going to see animal rescue fluff or scripted rescue attempts. And TLC didn’t turn her show into another version of the Real Housewives. Instead, they are spotlighting Stacia’s passion, which we can all relate to, and showing how she and her friends are getting rescue done. And I love that they’re going to be showing us the happy endings, the dogs with their new families.
Where the Passion Came From
Stacia lost her 14 year old Dalmation (you catch that Terri? She’s a Dal lover too) and that started a fire in her that grew into KickAss K9 and led her to Boston Underdogs.
Her Dalmatian, PJ, was a gift and didn’t come from a reputable breeder. After PJ joined her family, she learned about the over breeding of Dalmatians, because of the movie and when he passed away at 14 years, she dedicated her life and rescue to helping dogs.
I can completely relate, because losing Riley to Canine Parvovirus is what fueled the fire of this blogger. And speaking of Parvovirus, Stacia and Boston Underdogs raised money to help a friend save her puppy (the puppy survived). I believe this story line is in the show. What I love is that it’s not a puppy that was adopted through KickAss K9, Stacia just can’t stand to see anyone suffer and the idea of this young woman losing her puppy was unacceptable so Stacia did something.
Talk about putting money where your mouth is.
Image courtesy of TLC and Boston Underdogs
Not Everyone Loves a Rescue
Did you know that some rescues want to do more, but their hands are tied by their local government who keeps making regulation after regulation, one constricting the other, all of them preventing rescues from doing their best? Me neither. Stacia gave me an earful about her frustrations managing a rescue and it made me respect all rescue works even more – I didn’t think this was possible. The biggest lesson she learned managing a rescue is that not everyone loves a rescue.
Just listening to Stacia’s Bostonian accent and picking up her great attitude, I have a feeling that she’s going to change the world and Boston Underdogs is just one vehicle that can get her message (our message) out there.
She’s Just Like Us
Stacia isn’t a celebrity, she’s not trying to make a name for herself. She just wants to take this amazing opportunity and raise awareness of the human-animal bond. One statement that came up time and time again is that dogs have souls. She knows that she’s going to catch flack for the show, because people will misinterpret things, judge her for little things, and lash out. But she knows that her show will also show people (dog people and everyone else) that dogs have souls. They’re beautiful creatures who deserve to have someone speaking up for them.
I thought I had a strong personality. I don’t have anything on Stacia and I’m glad to have her on our side! Because not only is she going to rescue our dogs, she’s going to take on the big boys (and ladies) to make sure that the laws in this nation change to protect our dogs and the rescue groups saving them.
Image courtesy of TLC and Boston Underdogs
Set Your DVR
The premier, one hour special of KickAss K9 will be airing on TLC on Monday 8/12 at 10pm (PST and EST). I’ll be setting my DVR to catch it and will be writing a post as soon as I see it, sharing my thoughts. I think this is going to be a show that people need to watch. There are so many other shows out there that seem to have forgotten about the dogs and gone for the ratings by amping up the drama between the humans. I don’t think that’s going to happen on Boston Underdogs and I want to support Stacia and her team – so head over to her Facebook, Twitter, and to TLC and tell them you want more!
And do me a solid and tell them Kimberly from Keep the Tail Wagging sent you.
Are you on Twitter? Click this image to Tweet!
The post Set Your DVR! Don’t Miss Kickass K9 on TLC’s Boston Underdogs, Aug 12 appeared first on Keep the Tail Wagging, An Online Magazine for Dog Lovers.