I was reading a article about a woman (K9 rescue type) who was called upon to do something she never imagined being able to do - she was called to come face to face with... A PIT BULL! Its a bit of a read but I urge EVERYONE, Regardless if your anti abuse advocate, animal rights protester or a Pittie lover to read and share this story! I know of a small handful who I have helped Meet the breed who have had similar experiences and tell similar stories now so I have ZERO problem believing this as it is written. I hope you will give it a few minutes to read and please, share for their sake....... Once upon a time, many years ago somebody told me pit bulls were dangerous dogs. And I, an educated woman with my own strong opinions, took a complete strangers comment and made a mental note. I would move my children to the other side when passing them on the street... Why would I an animal advocate, rescuer and lover believe somebody else? I have strong opinions, I stand up for what I believe in and I never trust things without experiencing them first hand. Yet I read or hear 2 bad stories and I believe all pit bulls are bad? Yesterday, my integrity was challenged. A beautiful dog is tagged as urgent 20 blocks from my house. I have all the resources to rescue him... And then I notice at the bottom....PIT BULL. How could I let a pit bull into my house with little children? How could I walk the streets of this neighborhood with a killer dog? My kids would probably never have a friend come for a playdate again as soon as their mother got wind we had a pit bull. I would get the look of death and evil stares as I walked him on the streets of the upper east side. I decided it was time I made my own judgments from my own experience. With much apprehension and a nervous stomach, I left to meet Mani. Would he attack or bite me? I ran to the aspca, and now my opinion is forever changed. Mani, one pit bull, taught me the truth. Pit bulls are NOT dangerous, bad owners are. These dogs are kind by nature, nasty by training...as is any other breed. People are ignorant and take one bad story, and forget the 20 good ones. Pit bulls, like any other breed, can snap in a moment. I dont feel Mani is any more of a threat than any other dog Ive ever owned or known. I notice as I walk him on the street, people are deceived by his good looks. Everybody wants to pet him. They are all in love as Mani wags his tail, kisses their faces and melts in their arms. He eats up all the love and attention after being locked in a cold shelter confused for days. The minute they ask what kind of dog Mani is... their whole demeanor and attitude change. They are fully stigmatized, stereotyped and unfairly labeled as killers. How can a few stories decide the fate and behavior patterns for an entire breed? It is sad that such an advanced society, can completely stigmatize a wonderful and loyal breed. Just like children are taught prejudice by their ignorant parents, animals are taught to be cruel by their ignorant owners. It is the people, not the dogs, we should fear. People are the real issue, not the animal. What amazed me as I sat in the waiting room of the shelter, was how many owners were surrendering their dogs. Oddly enough, many of them being pit bulls... And not one stated the reason being violence or behavioral issues. Everybody had a different reason-landlord banned the breed, couldnt afford the care, got a new job or hours changed etc etc. Every single owner said the dog was amazing with their kids/grandkids etc... Not one surrender had a complaint of a misbehaved, BAD DOG. Sadly, it was all the opposite- BAD OWNERS. These dogs did nothing to lose their homes. Why as a society, do we accept bad owners but stereotype bad dogs? Owners beat, mistreat, starve and cause their dogs suffering way too often. I can barely stand to read all the stories of abuse and neglect these days. But in a court of law, most of these owners get just a slap on the wrist... Really? So in todays society it is justified to beat or starve or torture an animal? How can we as an educated moral society, accept animal cruelty? How can somebody hurt a defenseless animal? And how can we not see the bigger picture? If they can hurt an innocent dog, what other evils are they capable of? We all seem to miss the big picture here. Studies have shown that majority of serial killers started torturing animals at a young age. Shouldnt that be a sign in itself to put the person in jail and throw away the key? They are a clear and present danger to society... So owners can beat their animals and walk away free, but if an animal bites or snaps they are automatically considered a killer breed? It is much more common for an owner to hurt an animal, than an animal to hurt an owner, but the dogs are the ones labeled a danger to our society. Really? Who is making the rules these days? Something is very very wrong, and it is up to us to fix it. If only it were the other way around, and dogs could drop their abusive owners at a shelter...there is one and its called JAIL. These animals have no voice, so we must be it for them. Mani was 24 hours from death. I watched him run through Central Park and galavant through the city this morning with such pride and excitement. He could see his future. If you could see his sad eyes and confused face just 48 hours ago, you would swear he was a different dog. We all have the power to make a difference. Teach your children compassion for animals. Go to a shelter and save a life. In the end, I believe the animal saves the person, as it teaches them the true definition of loyalty, companionship and unconditional love. Did you know 95 percent of fortune 500 ceos are raised with a dog? They have all said it taught them responsibility, leadership and companionship at a young age. As I look at Mani asleep, my eyes well with tears. As he could have been another statistic and hes such a special and loving boy. I know there are so many more Manis out there, that are sitting in shelters now, and all the more that never made it out. People think that I changed Manis life, but truth is...he changed mine in just 24 hours. A house is not a home until you have a dog. I will forever be an advocate, and an outspoken one for pit bulls. I am their new best friend. Mani will forever hold a special place in my heart, and be the dog that taught me just how ignorant and unfair the world is when it comes to pitbulls. My favorite book I read to my daughters every night is whoever you are by Mem Fox. The message of the book is , no matter what we look like on the outside, no matter what color skin we have, what language we speak, what religion we believe in... Inside we are all the same. Pain is pain, and joy is joy. Now if we could just apply that theory to dogs. Whether it is a pit bull, lab, golden, maltese... They are all the same on the inside... If they are given love, they are happy. If they are hurt, they are sad. Doesnt matter what breed they are. If Manis beautiful spirit and personality were masked by the face of a fluffy little white dog...everybody would line up to adopt him. But the minute they notice hes not white and fluffy, but rather a pit bull...he is immediately dismissed. Saving Mani yesterday was one of the best decisions Ive ever made... and for sure a life lesson for me... Pit bulls are loyal and loving companions...if you just give them the chance. Please give them one. They deserve it, and it took me a die hard animal lover 36 years to know that. But its really just as simple and comes down to what we were taught in nursery school... Dont just a book by its cover. In just 48 hours, Mani has brought much joy love and laughter to our lives.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 05:13:07 +0000
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