This post is my contribution to Blog the Change! Thanks to Amy and Rod of GoPetFriendly.com and Kim of This One Wild Life for coming up with such an awesome, positive initiative!
A bully available for adoption in Salt Lake. Flickr image with adoption details: http://www.flickr.com/photos/just_steph/4389189964/
I have a confession.
It’s sort of embarrassing.
Here goes.
Prior to late 2006, I had no clue what a “pit bull” was. None. No idea. If you had shown me a lineup of 50 dogs and asked me to pick out the bully breed, I would’ve had to guess. And, here’s the worst part, I probably would’ve thought… Hmmm. Which one looks the meanest?
And then Emmett came into my life. One look at the shelter, and he was it. We fell in love right there on the spot. As soon as we got him home to our little condo in DC, on our very first walk with our brand new dog, this guy on our block came over and asked, “Is that a pit bull?” I recoiled. No way! Emmett is sweet and silly, and we just love him.
But then a lot of people asked us if he was a pit bull. So I looked up pit bull. Hmm. Maybe he is?? And for a moment, for a split second, I looked at him out of the corner of my eye and thought… Are you waiting to eat me?
I’m glad I was clueless. Had I thought that I was bringing home a pit bull, I may have thought twice. Or even thrice. But I didn’t. And now I have Emmett. And he has truly changed our lives.
My former ignorance is probably why I now work so hard to combat bully prejudices. Because now I know that my previous bully education was limited to only the things I saw on the evening news. Because now I know that I was so wrong and that the media is so sadly biased. Because now I know Emmett, and now that I’ve seen Emmett literally change lives – mine and the kids’ he works with as a therapy animal – I am so attuned to these wonderful dogs.
The reality is that the traits that make bullies such amazing family dogs – loyalty, courage, determination, dedication to their people at all costs – are the exact traits that make them exploitable. We who love these dogs owe it to them to educate others, to spread positive bully love, to keep them from dying senselessly, whether its at the hands of a misinformed, reactive city government or at the hands of dog fighters.
These dogs desperately need our help. They are literally dying because of misinformation. As animal lovers and as members of the animal welfare community, we have the power to be the voice for these animals and to enact change.
So here’s my call to action:
- Create a postcard to end BSL in Denver. It’s but one city, I know, but it’s a start.
- When you come across a positive bully-related story, tweet it. Facebook it. Email it. Call your mom and read it to her. Spread positive news!
- When you see misinformation posted on news sites, blogs, wherever, post polite comments correcting facts. It really does help!
- Adopt a pit bull! Then once you have the little love bug, train him, socialize him, and take his big, smiling face wherever you can to introduce people to your ambassadog!
Emmett is a cutie! Glad to hear your happy pittie tale. Have a great Be the Change blog hop day!
What a great post! So many people (and potential pittie parents!) could have the same experience if our media and governmental bodies would help give these sweet guys and gals a fair shot. Like the pittie who helped save his family from their burning home recently… anyone hear about that? Probably not, ’cause what’s the fun in the mass media reporting a pro-pittie story? Great suggestions on how to be the change for pitties! I’m going to go share that hero pittie story right now.
Great post! And I was exactly how you were. It never occurred to me that people might think Mayzie was a pit bull (the rescue told me she was a Boxer mix). So when people started suggesting that she might be, I was horrified. I had only heard the bad stories on the news and truly thought they were unpredictable dogs who would snap at any moment.
So I started researching pit bulls just to be prepared in case my sweet, loving dog suddenly snapped and turned on me. I was so surprised by what I learned. To be honest, it took me about 6 months to be totally comfortable with the idea that she *might* be a pit bull but then I embraced it. When we had the DNA test done and found she really was a Boxer mix, I was actually a little disappointed that it didn’t come back with any AmStaff. Ha! But regardless, she’s a bully through and through and I now can’t imagine my life without at least one bully in the family always.
Thanks for everything you do. You and your dogs are remarkable!
Amber
Yes, Katherine!! Please share that incredible story around your networks!
And, Amber, I love your story. Thank you so much for sharing. It’s exactly what I went through! The great thing is, we’re now in position to share all we learned about the breeds, positive stories, and let our dogs serve as ambassadogs! It seems like even though darling Mayzie is a boxer mix, if enough people think she’s a pit bull… well, perception is reality! So she’s a representative for the breed!
Misinformation kills many dogs. There is an entire list of dogs that are possible “threats” to society, because of the abuse and mishandling of dogs in general. Thank you for getting the word out. Your dogs are beautiful.
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You are so right about pit bulls. I love ‘em! I’ve met and worked with many pitties in shelters and they’re fabulous animals – smart, funny, sociable, athletic, and affectionate. Very important post. Thank you!
Lisa
What a terrific post. I freely admit not knowing a great deal about pit bulls, but the ones I have met are incredibly friendly. But I know that many people believe Siberian Huskies are closely related to wolves and many insurance companies refuse to insure homeowners with Sibes. BUT, the reality is that a Siberian Husky is no closer genetically to wolves than any other canine.
We should work with individual problem dogs and, more importantly, problem humans, and stop breed discrimination.
Wow. Thanks, everyone, for the kind words! This is something I truly believe in, so I’m super grateful for all the cheerleading!
Education is so important. For instance, I had no idea that Siberian Huskies had problems with insurance. That is amazing to me. It’s so ludicrous! You’re absolutely right: We need to help problem dogs and focus on problem humans. Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you for sharing your post, and blogging for a change. Your dog Emmett is very handsome. Thanks for adopting.
Bully love! It’s sad that so many people write off an entire group of dogs… great cause to highlight during Blog the Change.
I have to admit I was a staunch anti-pit person up until I was 17 and met my first pit bull and fell in love. Rumors, old wise tales, and false media portrayals are really damaging the breed and it is so horrible. I’m glad we’re both reformed pit lovers
I will definitely be sending a postcard (already have one in the works) and continuing to spread the good pit word (I’ve already convinced a few of my friends that pit bulls and mixes aren’t at all as scary and horrible as they thought they were).
Oops! I totally put my e-mail in the website box instead of Pru’s blog. Must be tired
Emmett is a beautiful dog. I agree with you entirely about bully breeds. They get such bad media, but the majority of them that I’ve met have been gentle, sweet, loving dogs. Thanks for taking up this cause for “Blog the Change for Pets” day.
Great cause! I made my postcard- come on everybody! Join in!
My mom has a dog that is part bully. Her name is Murphy and she is the sweetest dog ever. Petey, from The Little Rascals was Pit Bull. It seems that people forget these things. People are afraid of what they don’t know. It’s great that you are on a mission to make them more aware!
What a wonderful post! Until a few years ago I had never met a pit bull and then I started a pet-sitting business. One of my first clients was a pit bull named Sam who was, quite literally, one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever met.
I love your suggestion about sharing the GOOD news. I’ll definitely be doing that.
Your blog is wonderful. I loved reading about Emmett and Lucas. They’re both such beautiful boys. I’m so glad that Emmett is okay after the cancer, and so happy that Lucas ended up with such wonderful people like you and your husband.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi – This is a wonderful post and SO important! Thanks for sharing. I will definitely follow your steps and take action.
I am also going to subscribe to your blog and follow you on twitter. Check out my blog when you have a chance!
Your pal, Pip
This is so great. I live in Boulder and the situation in Denver is terrible. All the pit bulls that Sadie and I have met are loves. Blog the Change!
Hi Maggie!
We’re making the rounds to thank everyone for Blogging the Change. Amy and I are still so thrilled that you were BtC’s first cause.
In coming back around again, I just made 5 new post cards for you. You can add them to the first 10.
Please know folks, I made 10 in 15 minutes. It’s so easy! I hope you’ll give a try!
Al the best!
Kim (and Amy by proxy!)
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