Thankfully, it doesn’t happen often, but occasionally I receive some pretty vile comments. There are a few posts that receive more than average, but the post that grosses the most hateful comments is PETA and Pit Bulls.
When I receive comments of dissent – expressing an opposing viewpoint – I usually let them through and strive to respond to them. Discussions and disagreements are A-OK because it’s how we exchange ideas and develop deeper connections. Slander, insults, name-calling, and hate… those aren’t OK, and I mark all those as spam so that the person’s email address is forever blocked.
That was working well until recently when, dangit, a commenter outsmarted me by using a fake address.
On the PETA post, in quick succession:
- Pit bulls are not animals, they are monsters.
- Humane euthanization of these dogs would make our children safe from these increasing attacks.
- You just inspired me to donate to PETA! Thanks!
Normally, I huff a little, mark them as spam, then move on. There are just some wackos out there who, for whatever reason, get so fired up about something that a discussion, even with all the facts laid out, can’t pry their mind open even an inch. Maybe I was feeling extra grumpy that day, but those comments lodged in my head. Really, it just breaks my heart. My dogs and your dogs aren’t monsters. They’re loves.
(Nothing’s wrong with Cooper’s face… just glare from the reading lamp…)
This is why we advocate on behalf of our dogs, because there are closed-minded folks spreading fear. I truly believe the tides are turning. Repeals of BSL are happening faster than new laws being enacted. Pit bulls are getting so much more positive press, the positive press they deserve, thanks to mainstream pubs like the Huffington Post.
But comments like those remind us that we all need to advocate for our dogs. We must be a voice for pit bulls because there are people who still have hateful, misinformed ideas about our dogs, and – unfortunately – our pups can’t speak for themselves. (If Emmett could, though, I’m pretty sure he’d say something like, “Wait. What? But I love you! Hey, do you have any snacks?”)
So, yeah. I’ll continue to spam or delete vitriolic comments. I’ll approve and respond to the ones that seem somewhat open to discussion. And I’ll continue to write about how wonderful ALL our dogs are. Because all dogs are wonderful and deserve to be loved, cared for, and treated respectfully (just as people do, too…).
Those of you who blog, how do you handle negative comments? Those of you who have been faced with negative comments in person, how do you respond?
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I had to present at a city council meeting recently (I helped build a dog park in our city, which took months to convince the council to allow), and a concerned citizen spoke out about pit bulls possibly using the dog park. The mayor said, “Pit bulls aren’t allowed within city limits anyway.”
Me: “That’s the next thing we’re planning to change.”
Mayor: “Well!”
Me: “Well?”
It’s cool. The city council thinks we’re just “crazy dog people” anyway. Pitties are loves, and I make sure to always say how many lovely ones I have met, since half the population seems to be against them, and the other half has one but doesn’t want to scare people off.
I raised 3 pittbulls in my lifetime 2 males and one female. I always had things said you trust your dog. They turn on their owner. They are so violent. Even the look people would give. I would always respond y bc the media always shows pittbull attacks it’s the way you raise and treat your dog no matter what breed it is! My dog is more friendly and loveable then a poodle! I trust my dog more then a lot of people. Pittbulls are so loyal love attention, so playful, love to cuddle, and I feel listen and train very well! I hate that reputation they have and it does depend on my mood when I get a comment I get very annoyed bc they are great dogs and he is my baby boy I love to death! My dog is nicer then the people making rude comments and assume all pittbulls are monsters! Small minded ignorance!! And I agree that pittbulls are getting more love now then ever and people are giving them the love and happy homes they deserve bc to me the best breed ever!!
This is why I post so many pictures of Scout cuddling with her cats or with my family or just being the sweetest looking dog in the world. I always point out that she is a pit bull. People who already know her may get sick of the pics, but I know it opens the minds of some others – even just a crack.
I think in this picture that is exactly what Emmett is thinking, wait, what….snacks? Trolls will be trolls, I wish they would just stuck to Twitter, that seems to be their new happy place. I have seen it back fire on them occasionally, where they get so much negativity back they disappear to never seen again,well under that user name anyways. Keep doing what you’re doing, even if you open the eyes of just one hater, it’s one less hater.
Barkey was attacked twice at the dog park, while simply walking, getting bitten on then ear for his troubles. French Poodles. Seriously, they need to be banned (I’m being sarcastic). Dogs will respond to their environment as they are raised, not as they are bred. One of his best buds is a pit mix who is the sweetest dog ever.
Educate owners, don’t euthanize dogs.
I’m proof that a person can go from a Pit-fearer to Pit-parent! As I got to know a friend’s pit mix I came to realize what great dogs they were, and what great animals dogs in general are; before this I was a cat man. When I saw Hershey at an adoption event I knew I had to have this lovely dog in my life. She’s been a joy and I’ve heard few negative things from people about her. She gets along well with my cats and even responded playfully today when one took a surprise swipe at her happy morning tail! I’ve worked hard with her to overcome her fears (I’m pretty sure she was beaten with a broom before I got her) and have seen her gain confidence and happiness because of it. The more and more BSL that’s repealed the lighter my heart is, but I know there’s a long way to go before the image of the murderous pit bull is overwhelmed by that of the protective nanny dog of a century ago.
I guess I haven’t ever posted anything controversial enough to warrant hateful comments! I’m sorry you get those – it’s too bad when someone mind is so closed to reason and they are overtaken by such hatred and fury.
Normally, when I walk Blueberry, I avoid all dogs unless she knows them. I always feel badly when it is a pitbull type dog and I see the owner’s face – like they think I am avoiding them because of the breed. I usually try to engage them in conversation so they realize it’s nothing personal, just that Blueberry isn’t all that into meeting other dogs, especially other dogs that are her size or larger. I’ve only ever met really sweet pit bulls – so I don’t know why people are so against them!
Some people, no matter how hard you try are just too closed minded to see the truth. There was a woman on Facebook who posted about a friend/neighbor’s dog that was attacked and killed by a pitbull. She said they should all be banned and that Australia is taking steps to do just that. No matter what anyone said to her on that page, she wouldn’t hear it. I had to block it, you cannot fix stupid.
I feel like I’d rather be part of the solution than part of the problem.
I don’t typically attract controversy but if I did, I’d try educating. I figure maybe if people hear it enough it will penetrate that thick head of theirs. 🙂
Haters gonna hate. And you can’t fix stupid. Some people live their whole lives in ignorant little circles, they don’t challenge they way they think, they don’t research or use common sense (don’t have common sense), believe only what they want to and refuse to hear any opposing views.
I try to remember this because comments like the one you received are hurtful to the core. I don’t want anyone to fear my dogs based upon how they look – we call this stereotyping and racism when it is used towards humans.
All comments must be approved before being allowed on my site.
I used to think all little dogs were nasty little ankle biters, I have since come around to the fact that they are just a product of their humans who spend little to no time training them so they have zero social skills or manners.
Both my pibbles are more well behaved than all the kids on our street, we’ve made it a goal to make sure all the kids on our street know our dogs. And we’ve succeeded! They kids come over to our yard when we play in the front and often join in for a game of tug with Dante or to throw Ziva’s ball. They also join us for off-leash fun at the field nearby. Through the children we’ve changed a couple parents minds – they see my dogs minding their children, dropping the toys as asked, playing gently etc…and it has been fun to watch people open up. We also dress them up for Halloween and they help pass out candy.
I’ve been around dogs my whole life and never had a bad bully experience, but I have ran into aggressive/protective blue heelers, dachsunds, minpin’s, and was bitten last summer very badly by a samoyed..should they all be banned? No, but I would like harsher punishments for irresponsible pet owners.
KEEP FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT!! <3
I’m also VERY against spiked, chain, or otherwise that just adds to the “scary” look. I try to keep my pups looking as friendly as possible with different colored scarves and handsome leather collars. 🙂
Bowties! There is no dog that looks better in a bow tie than a pittie. Those silly smilers need an air of gravitas that can only be lent by a checkered bowtie.
ugh Maggie, I am so sorry you have to deal with this. I don’t get many negative comments, fortunately. I have met Emmett, and he is a true ambassador. Such a love!
I actually can’t recall any negative comments either, but then I get very few comments from “strangers” so I’m sorry to read that you get a good share of trolls.
I agree with the importance of continuing to advocate for our dogs as the tide does seem to be turning in their favor and until then, I just concentrate on surrounding myself with the positive and working to educate and eradicate the negative.