My Pit Bull
You can’t judge a book by its cover?
A few years ago, nine to be specific, my wife was working at an Animal Emergency clinic and called to inform me that there was a Pit Bull up for adoption. Now this particular dog had come down with a serious case of Parvo that had almost taken her life. Her original owners had dropped her off at the local Animal Emergency Clinic to give her a chance to live. She had spent almost a month at the clinic and had to undergo exploratory surgery that has left a scar from the bottom of her belly to her chest.
This was an extensive case and the bill alone had run up into the thousands of dollars. The original owners could not pay the bill and had basically left the dog with the clinic. Since my wife worked at the clinic, the bill was waived and we had the option to adopt the dog for free. At that time I had a negative perception of Pit Bulls and informed my wife that I was not interested in owning “that type of dog”. My wife, Karen, informed me that this dog was very sweet and asked that I give her a chance. All Karen wanted was for me to just come down and visit with the dog for a little while to see if I liked her.
I had already made up my mind that I did not want to own this dog. However, respecting my wife’s wishes I decided to at least meet the dog. I was a little nervous meeting this dog because of all the negative publicity Pit Bulls receive. However, our first encounter was quite different then I expected. At first glance this dog appeared to be seriously malnourished. She was so skinny that I could see the hip bones sticking out the sides of her back. Also, her neck was so withered away that all you really saw were the cords hanging out. Physically this dog looked like she was about to die at any second but when she looked at me she wearing nothing but a grin from ear to ear.
I remember telling my wife that the dog was so ugly that she was actually cute. To get to know the dog a little better we ended taking her to the back of the clinic to let her run around. This little bean pole of a dog run back and forth with a very crooked run and huge grin. She warmed my heart from day one and has not let me down in nine years.
I’ve always been cautious with my dog, Alexia, and have never ignored the reputation that my dog’s breed has received. When my wife and I started having kids I always made sure that the children and Alexia were supervised (which you should do with any dog). My kids have pulled on, hit, climbed on, you name it and Alexia has never once bit any of them. She has a gentle and loving spirit and has proved time over time that the reputation given does not apply to her.
I have also had the opportunity to spend time with other Pit Bulls and to no surprise they all shared the same characteristics as Alexia. All the Pit Bulls that I have had a chance to be around have been loving and caring pets. The key ingredient is that the owners were also loving and caring towards their pets.
I am fully convinced that there is nothing wrong with this breed if they are brought up in a loving home. The individuals that mistreat and improperly train these animals are the ones really responsible for the negative press. I have also come to realize that Pit Bulls get blamed for dog attacks no matter what type of dog initiated the attack. At the Emergency Clinic where my wife worked there were numerous calls about a Pit Bull attacking other animals. However, in most cases the description did not even match the physical characteristics of a Pit Bull. Some individuals described the dog that initiated the attack having long hair while others described a narrow and long snout.
Now, I’m not denying that there have been PitBull attacks but the bottom line is that the breed alone is not the problem. I kept an open mind when I met my dog and because of that have learned that you really can’t judge a book by its cover. If you give these dogs a chance, I believe that the same beliefs will hold true for you.
Note: Alexia’s ears were cropped when we adopted her. Although I like the look I would not crop the ears to any future dogs. To this day her ears appear to be a little sensitive and she does not like anyone messing with them.
Comments
Comment from ali baraket
Time: July 18, 2007, 2:56 am
i have a red nose pitbull that is 1 years old what should i feed it
Comment from darryl banta
Time: October 17, 2007, 3:20 pm
my pit bull bit me!!! he was laying on his back on the couch with the wife and I and i grabbed his hind leg and he attacked me!! was all i could do to get my hands on his neck. i had to hold him down for 10 minutes. just a freek thing or what should i do???
Comment from Keith
Time: November 6, 2007, 7:40 pm
I got a pit bull pup/16 weeks, i just named her caliber cause when i would eat something really good she would get all mean and take my food away even after i would feed her, what should i do???
Comment from Keith
Time: November 6, 2007, 7:42 pm
my pit bull would get all mean and take my food when i eat, even after i would feed her, i already house trained her and i spend more time with her then my girlfriend, what to do???
Comment from Alisha
Time: January 2, 2008, 9:10 pm
I have a 6 month old pitbull named Munster he is one of the loves in my life he attends EVERY rodeo and roadtrip me and my fiance’ take and he is a joy around kids and ALL ANIMALS…he is currently 6 months old and 52 lb.s ! Their are pic.s of him on my web page….I got munster from my sisters breeding program she has 6 pitbulls and 2 litters on the way and she also has 4 kids a 2yr. old , 4 year old, 8 year old, and 10 year old. ALL of which were born into a house FULL of pit’s and none of them have EVER been harmed!!!!
Comment from jess
Time: January 29, 2008, 8:30 pm
are pitballs scary!!
Comment from jess
Time: January 29, 2008, 8:31 pm
are pitballs scary!! lol
Comment from Russ in CGT
Time: February 5, 2008, 5:34 am
I too have raised my two kids around Pit Bulls. My oldest daughter was only 3 months older than my first Pit Bull I ever owned “ReZiN”. He passed away 3 days after his 6 birthday, a very sad day for our family. We have since gotten another male to add to our yard and cant wait to see what he produces.
~R.I.P. Father Tyme & Rezin 2007~~
Comment from amber
Time: February 7, 2008, 3:56 pm
I respect what you are doing for the Pit Bull breed. I have two and I would be devistated if I lost my two dogs…. they are more than dogs, they are more like children. Anyone that understands Pit Bulls knows they are not what people always make them out to be.
Comment from Julius
Time: March 29, 2008, 4:38 pm
yeah…hilarious, my uncle had a pit bull when i was a little kid, her name was diamond. while i was playing with her she randomly bit the base of my hand, her tooth went clear through my little wrist going in one side and going out the other. real funny article.
Comment from Rahim
Time: April 11, 2008, 5:39 am
I have owned an bred pitbulls for years, I find them ALOT safer around their owners AND children than any other breed of big/”dangerous” dogs. To answer some questions, are they scary? yes, if you attack their owner, lol, but other than that they are gentle giants around humans. As LONG as you raise them right. If you get one, beat it, mistreat it, grow it with hate, they too will hate and be murderous, like any child or dog will be if thats how they are raised. You give them a fear of respect for you, your family, an grow them as confident happy dogs, as you would a bordercollie, or shepard or anything else, you get a good dog.
Comment from eduardo
Time: May 29, 2008, 10:43 pm
THAT DOG IS COOL
Comment from ANDREW
Time: June 20, 2008, 1:51 am
I COMPLETLY AGREE WITH YOU. ONLY THING IS I ALWAYS FELT THIS WAY ABOUT PITBULLS. AND WHEN THOSE DOGS FIGHT ITS NOT THEIR FAULT ITS THE STUPID PEOPLE. LIKE EARL SIMMIONS (AKA) DMX.
Comment from jesica
Time: July 17, 2008, 5:29 pm
it is so cutee
Comment from terry
Time: August 30, 2008, 2:23 pm
i agree with all fellings toward the APBT see when i was little my father faught them all the time real scary stuff beleve me well his one prize dog named Hitler see he won some 20 fights or whatever any ways i dont think people get how loyal they really are that dog was so crazy in the pit in our basement you would almost cry but he was still really sweet to the children in the house lick you in the face etc.. now before everyone gets the wrong idea my father is a horrible monster for what he did.. i have three APBT’s living in my home with the wife 8months prego and my 2 year old son the meaness i ever see out of him is when my brother comes to visit he likes to wrestle with my son and sarge and cash dont approve of it look its not the dog its the human BAN THE DEED NOT THE BREED
Comment from roque moreno
Time: February 3, 2009, 6:28 pm
i have a 6 month old american red nose pitbull puppy n she playfull wit little kids and dogs unless the dogs act mean towards her all pitbull are mean but ita the trainer the tells them to get some one or fight them
Comment from Aaron
Time: March 25, 2009, 9:36 pm
i agree with the people who say that pits are good dogs because they really are my dad has bred them and raised them when i was little they only bit my sis once and that is when she tried to stick a stick up her ass but she nipped her and that was it she did not blead or any thing just a red mark it is how you raise them they are sweet pits and nice to all they want to do is pleas u so if u train it to attack then it will if u don’t then it wont i have owned one and he was the nices dog i ever had..
Comment from Aaron
Time: March 25, 2009, 10:05 pm
have you guys ever seen a pit bull break a steel chain and can he because that that they can because my dad has seen it
Comment from kelli
Time: October 1, 2009, 12:38 am
I have been around pits my whol life. They are wonderful, loyal, smart dogs. An amazing addition to a family. They protect their owners, and their home! My family has had pits for nearly 40yrs, and I will continue with the love that we have always had with them. I have never been scared nor have I ever felt threatend by one. I think so long as they are treated well they are and will stay wonderful members of the family.
Comment from Layla
Time: October 9, 2009, 11:54 pm
Pi t Bulls are awesome my uncle has one and he is so nice
Comment from Layla
Time: October 9, 2009, 11:59 pm
A pit bull is only mean if you mistreat it be nic to it and it will be great to have around. Also the pit bull only bit you because you grabbed the hind leg and if he keeps stealing food just lock him in a room while you eat and let him out when you are done eating. Sorry about the dead dog that is so sad
PIT BULLS ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from Layla
Time: October 10, 2009, 12:00 am
I like pit bulls and would love to have one but i live in an apartment so i have the cutest little toy maltese named SCOOTER he is so adorable and he 2 and will turn 3 on January 14th . He is so hilarious LOL
Comment from Tony
Time: November 5, 2009, 6:51 am
The whole story you said was very touching to me because I also own a pitbull, the part about your wife taking the Pitbull form already a good home was pretty uppsetting! She took a free puppy when they could have given the dog back to the original owner FOR FREE! The original owners most of cared for the dog if they tried to save its life and you did a horriable thing by taken these people’s dog! Animal Shelter SUCKS! BUT I LOVE MY BLUE NOSE PIT!!!
Comment from bob
Time: November 6, 2009, 6:54 pm
i also have a pitt and it is almost 2 and is it true that pittbulls get senile when they get old
Comment from bob
Time: November 6, 2009, 6:57 pm
yah well have you ever seen a pittbull rip the door off the hinges because thats what happend to me
Comment from beau
Time: January 4, 2010, 5:34 am
how do i get my wife to conseder leting me get a pit? i had one since i was boren and my sister at 9 months used to pull her ears and would just lick her. but my wife thinks they are mean because of the midea and i know their not. i need help convinceing her.
Comment from <ADMINNICENAME>
Time: February 19, 2010, 1:26 pm
My 13 year old pit seems to have all her marbles still. A little more protective but still a fun loving dog.
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