I have two dog rules. One of them is no pit bulls. Let’s not get too far into the discussion about pit bulls, there are merits on all sides of the discussion, but for me in my personal life, in my personal house, with my personal family: I choose no pit bulls. But I’ve never been one to follow the rules too exactly.
With that being said, meet Pit Bull. That’s right, I rescued a pit bull, she lives in my house and is part of my life and that’s her name. I named her that to remind me that she is a pit bull and yes I just said that I have a no pit bull rule…so all that tells you is this dog is one special dog. She had the name before that international rap poser Pit Bull.
We officially met on Christmas eve several years ago. We were about to have a historic snow storm. In the shadow of the storm, some people rushed to the store to stock up and bread and milk, I was taking the dogs for one last long walk before we were housebound for what was being forecasted as a solid week of brutal winter weather.
I had seen her for a week or two while I was on my daily walk with the dogs. She had been living under cars on our route. She looked as though she had recently had puppies. Something about seeing her crouched under the car in the whipping wind and feeling the impending storm, I couldn’t look away. I walked my dogs home and I went back for her with leash and treats in hand. She came out from under the car and we started a dance that ended with me following her down the street to what was probably her house. She tried to get me to go into the pitch black back yard. I wasn’t having it. I wasn’t about the be shot by some gangsters on Christmas Eve trying to get pit bull puppies from under their house. I tried to get her to follow me back. She wasn’t having it. I left her some food and told her that when she was ready, I presumed that she knew where I lived. She watched me disappear down the street.
And yes, as the Husky whisperer can tell you with great exasperation, I do talk, out loud, to all the dogs. I tell them things and give them outrageous direction, like come to my house when you are ready. And they do.
About a month later at the end of January, out in the front of the house, there was Pit Bull and her boyfriend the poodle. The pit bull chose well, she could not have looked any less aggressive and dangerous hanging out with a little scrawny poodle. She was in heat and they were “in love ” and they won me over.
They both went into the “program”. Bo actually had a microchip, but take note everyone, if you don’t register the chip, it doesn’t help. His chip was traced back to a puppy mill in NY. We went to great lengths to follow that path to the owners, but could not. Here me now, listen to me later: REGISTER your chip or it doesn’t matter that you have one!!!!!
It was difficult finding a home that wanted a pit bull and a poodle together. Mini Bo, who looked like a miniature version of America’s first dog, got fixed up and found a fabulous loving forever home. Bo is spoiled rotten. His forever owner’s son lives on my block, so I get to see him when he comes to visit. He is the happiest most content guy. Read more about Bo on his page which is coming soon…
Pit Bull was fixed up and treated for heartworms. According to some reliable neighborhood sources, she was most likely mistreated by her owners, fought or used as a bait dog, and then bred for puppies. Other than two quirky things (she has a strange reaction to yard equipment – especially weed eaters – and large bbq sized lighters) the dog has not met a person or a thing she doesn’t love. That also depends on your definition of love….she LOVES cats, but not in a socially acceptable way. So maybe make it three quirky things.
Everyone is her friend. She is the sweetest most tolerant dog that has ever been in the house. Every dog that comes in the house is her BFF. She is the Switerland of the dog world. She is a rock. No other dog phases her. She never ceases to amaze me. She will not participate in any aggressive shenanigans that the other dogs can come up with. Big, small, male, female, she is a rock of consistency.
I will foster her as long as she needs a loving home, but Pit Bull, aka Pitty, is looking for the right forever home. She loves to hang out and to cuddle. She is sensitive and loving, it would not be right for her to be someone’s yard dog. She graduated from that. She needs to be someone’s friend and pal. She needs a home that understands the responsibilities of owning a pit bull. She has never shown an aggressive hair, but like any breed, it is important for her forever owner to understand the needs of the breed. And she needs someone that will dress her in a sweater when it is cold.
Again, Pitty never ceases to amaze me with her demeanor. I will cry and cry when she goes to her forever home, but nothing will make me happier than to place her in the right home. If you are open to having a pit bull in your life, or know someone who would be – please consider Pit Bull.
Here are some things I learned from Pit Bull
- Don’t let someone else label you – unless they use pink swarovski crystals crystals on your name tag.
- Don’t let someone else tell you who you are. You are who you want to be.
- Do things on your own time. Do what you know is right, when you are ready. And bring a cute poodle with you.
- Sometimes things aren’t as they seem. Don’t make judgments based on stereotypes or preconceived notions – there are always two sides to every story
5. Give everyone a chance – you may be surprised.
6. Nothing beats a nap in the sun.
7. If you don’t like where your bed is, move it into the sun. You have the power.
8. You’re only different if you feel different. If you feel different, embrace it.
9. Be secure enough with yourself to go against the stereotypes – eat vegan vegetarian Pirate Booty and wear a sweater when you are cold.
Pit Bull is a posterchild for heartworm preventative and for reporting any animal confinement issues or inhumane activities to the city and to the SPCA. Illegal dog fighting and illegal pit bull breeding are both problematic throughout the city, but especially in the southern sector of Dallas.
Pit Bulls are the number one dog to be picked up and to be euthanized by the Dallas city animal shelter. This statistic is unacceptable and the average resident can participate in the solution.
Know the law: It is unlawful to have an intact dog (unspayed or unneutered) without a special license. It is unlawful to breed a dog without an intact license – this means that most puppies you see are illegal. Sounds kind of uptight – but remember 200,000 dogs are euthanized in DFW every year. It is unlawful to keep a dog on a chain. It is unlawful to let your dog off leash; unconfined dogs are unusually unspayed or unneutered dogs out looking for love. Roaming dogs = more unwanted dogs. Dog lady has her limits, but the city has actual laws about how many dogs can be at one residence. Too many dogs can be a telltale sign of dog fighting rings or neglect.
Do not hesitate to report unconfined dogs, suspicious activity or seemingly illegal animal activity. Do not be deterred by having to report a problem more than once – you are the animal’s voice. Pressure on the city and on other Dallas residents to enforce and abide by existing laws will improve the quality of life for all dogs in the city.
And if you need a final reason to be inspired to act….formerly heartworm positive bait dog (Pit Bull) and formerly on death’s door distemper dog (Birdie) living happy healthy happy lives. You can make a difference!