What Kind of Dog Is That?
...Is something I hear so often when walking my dogs in the park. After some stranger who has been schmoozing, petting and kissing my dogs for 10 minutes asks the dreaded question they practically run away screaming in fear, why? They're Pit Bulls!

I am writing this article to hopefully correct some of the undeserved bad reputation of the Pit Bull.

My husband and I found our first Pit Bull, Trixy, outside a hotel in Maine. She weighed about 7 pounds, she was lost, cold and hungry, and was the kindest puppy you could ever imagine. My brother, who has 2 small children, was horrified when he found out about her. He suggested we send her to a shelter or just get rid of her. I was not about to give up on her so easy. I began researching and studying any and all information on Pit Bills that I could find. It was so difficult for me to believe that this angelic little dog could ever hurt another living soul. I called Pit Bull rescues and clubs for their assistance in understanding the breed better, and find out what I should expect. The resources that are available are endless, but unfortunately too many people don't care or are unaware of their existence. There are dozens of books that characterize them as loving, energetic and eager to please. They are right!

Trixy has been with us now for over 6 years, and now weighs 62lbs. Because Trixy was such a great dog, I began to wonder, why do we hear so often about Pit Bulls who attack people or other pets? Well, I have since been employed at the MSPCA/Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston for almost 4 years, and have talked to many other people who know the "real story" about Pit Bulls. It seems that these few and far between instances are usually caused by dogs who are beaten, improperly trained, and or tied up and un-socialized to the point where they will attack almost anything. I believe that because of the sheer strength and willingness to please characteristics of Pit Bulls and other powerful breeds that the derelicts of our so called society are able to create a monster from otherwise wonderful dogs. The obtuse minority who turn these dogs into such horrible villains for their own sick enjoyment are the ones who should be chastised, not the dogs. Dogs that are trained this way are so good at being bad, because they want to please their owners immensely.

It is not easy being the owner of a Pit Bull for only one reason. Discrimination! It's an ugly word, but it's true. Most people have no idea what a Pit Bull is really like. Working where I do I see dozens of Pit Bulls every week, and have very rarely seen one who is uncooperative, or vicious. They are mostly happy and friendly dogs. My husband and I also fostered a Pit Bull who had been shot several times. Even though he must have been in horrendous pain would allow us to give him medication, treat his wounds and always wag his tail at us. He loved to sit on laps and lick faces. He was since put to sleep because the extent of his injuries caused him to become very ill.

About 3 years ago we adopted another Pit Bull, Kiaio, through the MSPCA shelter. Kiaio and Trixy are two of the happiest, friendliest dogs I know. They eagerly wait for the mailman to bring them cookies each day and can hardly contain themselves when they hear his truck 2 blocks away. Imagine that, dogs who like the mailman, and Pit Bulls no less. Well I know that at the very least I have changed the erroneous views about Pit Bulls of two people, my brother, and his wife. They and the kids all adore my dogs and are even considering a Pit Bull of their own. The kids now 6 and 5 love to play with the dogs. My brother is astonished at how gingerly Trixy will take a toy from one of the children, when they hand it to her. Kiaio runs circles around everyone waiting to chase Trixy who is chasing a toy that has been thrown.

I don't claim to be an expert on Pit Bulls or any other dog for that matter, but I do know from experience that Pit Bulls are unduly discriminated agains t. These happy loving, eager to please creatures like any other animal or human are only a product of their environment.



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