This past week's issue of TimeOut Chicago has this great article about Jeff Jenkins and Tio Hardiman and how they are giving free obedience classes to pit bull owners in neighborhoods where street-level dogfighting is rampant.
It is great to see what people are doing around Chicago to educate pit bull owners. The previous school that A and I taught at served students from two low-income and high gang activity neighborhoods on the west side of Chicago. Many of our students owned pit bulls or had neighbors that owned pit bulls and talked quite often of how they fight their dogs or watch their neighbors fight their dogs. Though A and I would talk about our dogs in hopes of enlightening our students, we rarely had that much time to educate our students about dogs and dogfighting due to rampant violence and discipline issues in the school. We developed a service learning project, in which the students would learn to train their dogs and visit various middle and elementary schools and talk about obedience training, but we were both displaced due to low enrollment before we could implement our project. Luckily we both found other teaching positions and hopefully one of us will start this project at our new schools. In the meantime, Ms. M and Mr. B will have to educate by example.
This past week's issue of TimeOut Chicago has this great article about Jeff Jenkins and Tio Hardiman and how they are giving free obedience classes to pit bull owners in neighborhoods where street-level dogfighting is rampant.
It is great to see what people are doing around Chicago to educate pit bull owners. The previous school that A and I taught at served students from two low-income and high gang activity neighborhoods on the west side of Chicago. Many of our students owned pit bulls or had neighbors that owned pit bulls and talked quite often of how they fight their dogs or watch their neighbors fight their dogs. Though A and I would talk about our dogs in hopes of enlightening our students, we rarely had that much time to educate our students about dogs and dogfighting due to rampant violence and discipline issues in the school. We developed a service learning project, in which the students would learn to train their dogs and visit various middle and elementary schools and talk about obedience training, but we were both displaced due to low enrollment before we could implement our project. Luckily we both found other teaching positions and hopefully one of us will start this project at our new schools. In the meantime, Ms. M and Mr. B will have to educate by example.
16 comments:
You are a fine example indeed. We love you hard headed little dogs.
Slobbers,
Mango
It is such a shame that some people can find enjoyment and entertainment in watching dogs try to kill each other. Pit bulls are now banned in the Uk those who had them when the law was passed must keep them muzzled.
My brother had one and his daughter had two, they are lovely soft dogs.
Its was when young ones get them who wanted them to fight, that caused the problem. They will use other breeds now, because they still keep finding them fighting dogs in barns. So what you are trying to do is great, I hope you can convert some of these guys.
It makes me so sad that your previous students talked so openly about dog fighting. I really hope that you were able to change some minds. I think it's great that you are open with people about your dogs though, sometimes the best way (or only way) to convince people is by example.
I've never understood why violence appeals to some people as a form of entertainment. And using animals is disgusting. I doubt it will ever go away but I'd like to think we can lessen it to a degree. Starting with a younger generation is a great way to start and wouldn't it be wonderful if people thought owning a goofy lovable pitty was more satisfying than owning a fighter?
Oh! Mom read that article online this weekend. She liked it very, very much. And she said the pictures were Most Marvelous.
I thinks Mr. B and Miss M and the two of you humans are Most Excellent role models to show peoples how it's done right!
Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie
Mr. B has just the most handsome face ever. He's got that big-'ole-bully head you just want to grab and cover with kisses.
There is nothing about him that even suggests violence; he is such an ambassador just being himself.
God bless him.
It is so sad that people still fight pibbles. We love to hear stories of people doing good for this wonderful breed!!
And yes, I LOVE LOVE to run the fence with Scooby! She makes the fiercest sound - but is the sweetest thing.
We think Ms. M and Mr. B are FANTASTIC examples.
Good luck with the program, sounds really neat!!!
xo martine & the kiddlets
It breaks my heart a little bit when the dogs and I get approached by neighborhood kids. We inevitably get the same questions:
"Is that a pit bull?"
and then...
"Does he bite?"
I love the excited squeals from the kids and the all-over wiggles from the dogs as the kids fawn over the dogs, though it makes me sad that their experience with my dogs is the exception, not the rule, for these kids.
Miss M and Mr. B,
You need to show everydoggy and hoooman exactly how it is done! You guys are so pawsome and perfect in every way!
Wags and Woofs,
Mack and Mia
And wonderful examples they are. I hope you do get to fulfill your dream and get your project rolling. I know it will have a positive impact on so many lives, both two-legged and four.
(And only Mango would call your dogs "little"!)
Wow, it's great that you developed a way for students to learn more about pitties. I hope you get to implement your program soon! Mr. B and Miss M are fine examples of the breed (okay, maybe not Miss M's predilection for alcohol, but still.... lol).
ahh that ish just so wonderful
pibbles need help from people sho the americas can shee how wonderful wee weally are and luv ush again like in the olden times
**sigh**
pibble sugars
the houston pittie pack
i think your service project was a great idea. asa especially approves. :) i hope you get to start it soon at your new schools. of course, miss m and mr. b should be the poster children. they are most awesome!!!
*woof*
the booker man
I agree, the project is a great idea. Nothing will change much until a new generation comes along and sees dog fighting for what it is. We get sized up by dog fighters on the street a lot. They'll stop their cars just to look at Stella. I understand you don't see many pit bulls walking around town but sometimes they're so intense about it that I wish I had a way to speed up their departure.
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