Today I read a blog post that brought tears to my eyes about a the story of a dog who is hated by the world. Not for his actions but for his looks, because he happens to be a pitbull. I have read many similar stories. I have unfortunately read stories this week about pitbulls being shot and killed on their owner's property for no reason except that they were pitbulls. As a reaction to social media's recent focus on pitbulls due to Pitbull Awareness Month, AND the negatively that unfortunately comes with that, I write this blog post to tell my story. This outflowing of feelings is specifically in response to hearing about PETA and other groups supporting the ban of pitbulls and all pitbull type dogs due to prejudicial beliefs that pitbulls cause more deaths and injuries than other breeds of dogs. First of all, this belief about pitbulls is not true, they are no more likely to bite than any other breed of dog... in fact, American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers, two of the many breeds that make up the group of big headed bully breeds commonly known as "Pitbulls" actually performed better than most other breeds of dogs on a temperament test performed by the American Temperament Test Society. Check it out for yourself and see if YOUR favorite breed performed as well as pitties did. These dogs unfortunately fall victim to humans with poor temperaments that torture, kill, force to fight, beat, abuse, and train pitbull dogs to be aggressive and cause the negative behavior and actions that tend to flood the news and media. If the world saw the majority of pitbull type dogs who committed no crime but maybe licking their owners to death, maybe they would understand....
Back in February, my husband and I went to the shelter to look at dogs after our beloved Alvin had passed away. We had never had a pitbull before and were pretty neutral as far as our feeling towards pitbull type dogs. I pictured my "dream dog" as anything floppy eared and long bodied, and Josh preferred something more poodle-like or fluffy. Well aware that pitbulls are the most misunderstood and overbred dogs that are unwanted and euthanized the most, I told Josh on our way to the shelter that we should have an open mind about the dogs we look at and consider a type that we may have never pictured ourselves adopting. I wanted to save a dog that no one else would want, the type that most people feared for no reason so we could try to transform the world's negativity one person at a time.
After meeting multiple dogs at the shelter, our final decision was between two dogs, both that just happened to be black and white pitbulls. Both very energetic and rowdy from being cooped in their kennels with little interaction with dogs or people, Manny was the one we felt more of a connection with and he adored Weiner and was playful but gentle with her. I couldn't believe we had chosen a pitbull to bring into our family solely because it was the last mix of dog I pictured us getting but as time went on, we became more and more obsessed with Manny's loving personality, protectiveness but friendliness towards strangers, his need to cuddle and the adorable faces he makes, and his kind gentle nature that earned him his name of Manny T. which I chose after the large aquatic mammals (manatees) with large but gentle personalities. Since we got him, we vowed to each other that every dog we adopt from this point forward in our lives will either be a pit or a pit mix because of how in love we are (and with millions being euthanized every year, there is no excuse not to!)
Manny went through all the training classes at Petsmart up to Advanced, and also passed his Canine Good Citizen Test. Soon we will get Manny certified as a therapy dog which we know he will pass with flying colors because of his love for kids and elders, his kind polite manners, and his friendliness towards all kinds of people. Manny has the sweetest personality and even when he is at the dog park and another dog tries to pick a fight, he will roll over submissively on his back before ever showing his teeth or trying to hurt any being. He is far from the world's negative stereotype of pitbulls.
However, we still face breed discrimination when booking hotels, or calling ahead to make plans anywhere that involve bringing him when we are asked what breed he is. We say he's a bulldog mix, since he is believed to be an American Bulldog-American Pitbull Terrier Mix with possibly a little Great Dane in him.. but even the term bulldog can be as negatively judged since bulldogs fall into the category of bully breeds and some people picture them as nasty vicious attack dogs. At first sight, with Manny's big wide head, 63 pounds of muscle and mouth full of smiling teeth, people step away from him or move far away from the pathway we are walking. People with aggressive dogs at the dog park blame their dog's behavior on Manny because of his looks. If he gallops over to someone to say hello in our apartment complex, people sometimes run. When I brought him to visit my grandma in her nursing home once I was asked to leave, even though my mom brings her non-pitbull type dogs there all the time without an issue. We had an incident at the dog-friendly creek near us once where someone threw a log at Manny and threatened to kill him if he came near him. In less than a year of having him, we've gotten a small taste of discrimination without him even being given the opportunity to prove himself. These experiences have made me cry, made me hold him so tightly that his fur absorbed my tears and hate towards ignorant people; but it's these experiences that have made me stronger in realizing that horrible people and the media have made the world think this way; and it's our job to try to turn their views around.
We bring Manny regularly to the dog park where other dogs enjoy his company and owners (despite the occasional rude person) love his upbeat personality that brings their shy dogs out of their shells. We bring Manny everywhere with us where dogs are permitted, and he gets pats, hugs and compliments on his beauty. We show off his good behavior to impress people at what a smart and calm boy he can be. We flood Facebook, instagram and snapchat with pictures of Manny... because even if people could care less to see him so much we are obsessed with our dogs and like the world to know. We like the world to know not just because he's a great dog, but because he's a great pitbull, as most of them are, and it only takes ONE motivated person, ONE cute picture, ONE positive experience, ONE dog like Manny... to change the world. If you have a great dog, especially a great pitbull, please join me in helping to change the world's opinion on these amazing love bugs. We need to fight the ban on pitbulls in so many communities, so many apartment complexes, so many public places, so many towns, so many countries, so many animal shelters; many will euthanize them immediately before even trying to find them a home. It's so sad but we can make a difference by proving that these dogs deserve a life, they deserve to not be separated from their family, and they deserve love. Pitbulls have done nothing but be born into a body deemed to be that of a ferocious beast with an oversized head. For this they and their families suffer.
Tomorrow is coincidentally Pitbull Awareness Day, so I hope that those that read my blog post may be more open-minded towards pitbull type dogs after reading this than before. Consider asking to pet a pitbull the next time you see one. Consider volunteering at your local animal shelter and taking one out of its cage to play or be walked. Consider fostering one. Consider adopting one! I would say consider opening your heart to one.. but once you meet a pitbull it's impossible not to. Let's remember too that not only can we help save the pitbulls but we can promote spay and neutering pets to prevent the production of more unwanted dogs. Someone asked Josh the other day while he was walking Manny WHY he would do something so horrible to him (neuter him and forbid him to make babies). Seriously? Some people are ignorant and don't know better... and whether intentional or not, allowing dogs to breed is just adding to the problem of more and more homeless pets. We need to educate.
As for PETA supporting a ban on pitbulls and supporting groups that blame pitbulls for countless deaths every year I couldn't be more disappointed. I already had mixed feelings on PETA anyway because of some of the horrible things they do, I still can't help but think back to all they had done to open my eyes to becoming a vegetarian and eventually a vegan, educating me about fur farms, banning cosmetic testing on animals in numerous countries and helping me find cruelty brands to solely use, and making me aware of the suffering of many animals in captivity such as the Orcas at Seaworld. There are many issues they bring to light that I agree with but this is not one of them. PETA.. please get your shit together because you're losing support from every pitbull parent and lover out there. My readers, my fellow animal lovers and my friends, please help me change the world's views on Pitbulls and if your pitbull is unhappy to hear about PETA's stance on Pitbulls, get them to speak up too! It is our responsibility as pitbull owners to educate and break the stereotypes. Thanks for reading :)
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