When you fall in love with a pit-bull-type dog, your life inevitably changes.
Why inevitably?
Well, for one thing, whether you ever intended to or not, that dog you love turns you into an advocate. You might advocate on behalf of your dog, or you might dive head-first into the world of dog-defender, but you can’t love someone and not defend him or her in the face of slander.
“He seems sweet. But you’ll have him put down when you have kids, right?” One of the very first things said to me and John when we first adopted Emmett–said, I should add, by a complete stranger in a PetSmart aisle.
“The nice dog looks like he could rip your face off, but the mean one is kind of cute.” Said by our movers of Emmett (the “nice one”) and Cooper (the “mean one” who was, in fact, barking his face off at the horde of moving men).
When you fall in love with these dogs, you learn–quickly–some pat responses, comments to diffuse the situation without attacking the person while simultaneously defending your dog. Over the years with Emmett, since I took him everywhere, I honed and refined those comments, but the biggest thing to change hearts and minds was Emmett himself. Someone could be looking at him warily, telling me that they’ve heard dogs like him are vicious, all the while Emmett slowly pushed his nose under the person’s hand until–while they were still talking about being nervous around him–they found themselves rubbing the top of his head.
{{Cooper, on the other hand, distrusts strangers in the outside world, but if you come into our house? Especially if you bring him a squeaky toy? He’ll climb on your lap as soon as you sit down. He’ll never be a breed ambassador, unless it’s in a pile of kittens or babies, but he’s head of the Welcome Wagon at our home!}}
All that said, there’s a degree of expectation when you’re out and about with your pit-bull-type dog or when you mention your dog’s breed in a social setting.
Since I started down this road with Emmett over a decade ago, there’s been a shift. Maybe not a seismic one, but at least a subtle one. People are more aware. They’re more inclined to side with the dogs these days. The amount of education and information available easily combats the mounds of balderdash and misinformation you can find online.
Still.
Sometimes you need a reminder. Sometimes you grow complacent because, to be honest, not being out and about all the time with a pit-bull-type dog, you hear less of it.
Plus, when you’re surrounded by well-educated, compassionate people, it’s easy (for me, anyway) to hear the positive shift rather than the negative craziness. And, of course, it’s easy to dismiss the craziness for what it is: craziness.
Two things happened recently to remind me of my responsibilities as a pit bull advocate: First, I had the opportunity to moderate an incredible panel back in October for National Pit Bull Awareness Day. It featured Ledy VanKavage and Rebecca Huss, and I was honored for the opportunity. A local paper covered the event, and the comments on the online article were… colorful… to say the least, and misinformed, slanderous, and inflammatory to say more.
Then, just a couple weeks ago, I received an email that called into question my parenting: How could I bring a child into a home with a pit-bull-type dog? It was a schizoid email that brought the Ten Commandments into pit bull advocacy (I’m violating the not lying one by saying these are good dogs), and I’m pretty sure he was not-so-subtly implying I’m off to hell: “What will eternity be like for pitbull lovers who have disseminated false information about THE MOST DANGEROUS BREED OF DOG IN THE WORLD…”
Sigh.
While I appreciate that this random gentleman is concerned about me and my eternity, and as much as I’m sure everyone appreciates parenting criticism via email from complete and total strangers, it served as a reminder: Yes, the animal welfare world has made tremendous strides in pit bull advocacy, and that’s something to be incredibly proud of. But, of course, there’s more to do. And I needed that reminder because now that Emmett’s gone, I felt disconnected a bit to that world. This person’s email served to reignite that connection (though I get the sense that wasn’t his goal… insert thinking face emoji here).
Ironically, he closed his email with this little gem: “Take care, my friend, and may God bless you to open your eyes, embrace the truth, and get on His side of this issue. Please know that I am praying for you.”
Funny thing is, I imagine any God–no matter your spiritual or religious tradition–would sit squarely on the side of compassion and honoring life. And, you know, not sending totally random, super critical emails to complete strangers letting them know they’re going to hell, but whatevs!
My takeaway: I relied a ton on Emmett. He did all the hard work, to be honest! I need to find new avenues for advocacy. So, add that to my list of 2018 goals!
Do you have any animal-related goals for the new year? Maybe it’s volunteering at your local shelter? Or making donations? Or maybe it’s figuring out ways to be a better advocate? Or training or walking your own pup more? I’d love to hear from you: What are your animal goals for 2018?
I have very little patience for people like that one who twist scripture to suit their own warped, deluded ideas. Bravo to you for using that email to add a bible-worthy new goal to your list for 2018!! I quite agree that the teachings of most spiritual or religious traditions would lean toward compassion for all creatures, big and small.
My goals for this year are the same as last year: (1) to continue striving for Shadow’s lasting happiness and health; and (2) to continue working with Ducky to make her more comfortable in her surroundings when I’m with her. She has come a long way, but I’d like to see a bit more improvement. I don’t expect her to become a “social butterfly”, but I’d love to see her more relaxed at least.
Those are wonderful goals! So kind and definitely achievable!! I’m working on the “more relaxed” goal with Coop, too, so I can’t wait to follow along with your progress! Thanks so much for sharing!
We are still new here, but would definitely like to find a Golden rescue to work with like we did back in AZ. They aren’t as predominant in Washington it seems. I’m always amazed at how folks take the time to share their unsolicited words of wisdom. I have it happen with our horses all the time.
Monty, Harlow, and Ramble
That’s interesting… I wonder why they’re not as predominant, but that’s an excellent goal!! And I loved how you put it: “take the time to share their unsolicited words of wisdom.” So funny and so true. I don’t have enough minutes in the day to weigh in on what strangers are up to… 🙂
I am speechless that someone thinks that they know how god feels about pitbulls? Seriously!!!!!! I own a pitbull by default. I was told when I rescued her she was a boxier collie, I knew nothing about dogs or pitbulls!. I am in my late fifties and she is the absolutely best dog I have ever had. I too have overheard complete strangers (just a few, and always MEN) make comments about my dog…”that’s one of those fighting dogs” or “they have locking jaws and will turn on you”. NO and NO. I usually can defend and educate who I am talking too relatively easily, but sometimes the comments are so ignorant and I can tell the person is not open to anything but their deluded beliefs that talk is not going to work, and my CGC well behaved pitbull shows by example. And I quietly think “there is one of those uneducated men that think they know everything and sound like a complete moron while perpetuating a fallacy about a wonderful breed of dog”. Guess I’ve developed a bit of prejudice myself! Love your blog.
For what it’s worth, this was a man, too. I think you’re right, though, that there are some people who are just not open to anything… and it’s hard to let those go (for me, at least) because I want to defend my dog!! In this case, I chose not to respond to the email because it clearly read like those types of conversations you referenced. We just have to do what we can, I suppose… Thanks for weighing in, and I’m sorry you’ve had similar experiences, as well.
Last year my goal in the FWPBC rescue was to place 200 dogs in 2017 and we exceeded that goal, so this year my goal is 215. That’s my “chicken in every pot, pit in every worthy home” credo. On a more personal level, Julius and I will continue to work towards his CGC while I’d like to continue working with Ray to be more comfortable with fosters in the home so that gate and rotate doesn’t have to be such a production.
You do such incredible, amazing things, and I’m so proud to know you! (BTW, ever since your comment about “knowing a rescue,” John’s been checking the FWPBC adoptables weekly! 🙂 )
Excellent! (And thank you for the kind words.)
What a wonderful post. I think this is true of many dog people – not just pit bull owners. I never set out to be an advocate for natural health and nutrition or dog-friendly living, but here we are. It’s funny the battles life hands you sometimes. And I think that disconnect is just as true as well – particularly for bloggers. You gain a bit of success, you develop a readership of passionate pet owners who see something in your message and it’s so easy to believe things are better, easier. I think we all need a reminder sometimes to step outside our comfort zone and while I kind of want to tell the emailer all the nasty things I’m thinking about them (so he can get a much clearer picture of what someone headed straight to hell looks like), I think the Universe sometimes sends us what we need. Maybe your heart needed to feel this connection to Emmett and like you’re doing something in his memory.
I had a rescue lady tell me once that “that big black pitbull I was so enamored with and that lived with us would turn on me one day” Well, it’s been 7 years and I’m still waiting. Buddy is my empath, by constant companion, my very competitive agility dog and turned both me and my husband into better advocates for the “pitbull” type.
His brother, Jack, is our constant clown and an American staffy mix. He might not always like strange adult dogs in his face, but he LOVES puppies and has turned out to be the best babysitter for the foster puppies.
We try to better advocates and let our dogs show off their happy, goofy, beat you with a tail personalities, they say it better than I ever could 🙂