I know I've mentioned this a couple of times before, but until I adopted Miss M, I was very adamant about not wanting a pit bull. I didn't want a dog that could be mistaken for a pit bull. I didn't want a dog that could possibly have a trace of pit bull in their genes. And I definitely didn't want a pit bull.The truth is, I had never actually met a pit bull in my life. Yet, somehow I really believed these were terrible dogs who would turn on their people and eat them. And I didn't want anything to do with them.
Miss M was actually the first pit bull/ bully breed I ever met. And I was instantly smitten. Miss M taught me how much pit bulls love to be surrounded by people. She showed me how easy they are to train. And I saw just how smooshy, affectionate, and goofy these dogs can be.
I really feel a lot of people who hate pit bulls have never met one in real life. It's funny how many people we meet love our dogs, then are shocked to find out these are types of pitbulls. We work hard, taking our dogs around the city,meeting people, and writing about them on our blog, to show what it's really like to own a pit bull. Do you think meeting and seeing pit bulls in a positive way is enough to change perceptions? Or is the perception more deeply rooted?
28 comments:
You guys do such a great job educating people. I do agree, most people have probably never actually a pit bull or spent any length of time with one. I don't know how people can't fall in love once they meet one. I think it's impossible. I'm glad you met Miss M. Not only has she changed your opinion but she's changed many others I'm sure.
I think it makes a huge difference! It's kind of what I'm trying to do with Barbie. I can't believe how many people still think greyhounds are 'hyper' and pit bulls will automatically try to bite your face off.
I think for some people meeting them in a positive light will change their minds. But others it goes way to deep and no matter how much try they will still knock down the breed. We had a pit-mix that was the best boy you could have had, he loved kids and everyone. You do a great job of socializing your fur-babies and educating people about the breed. I just think they look like they are smiling all the time. :) And I am a firm believer that it takes the right humans to raise a well socialized animal (no matter what the breed). Heck my Basset Cleo had severe aggression and was going to be put to sleep at 18 months old, been in 5 homes before I got her. Took about 6 months to work it out of her but we have had her for 5 years and worth every penny of it. So aggression can be in any dog breed if not with the right humans, doesn't pertain to just pit bulls in my eyes anyway. :) Again, love your pics and like I said they look so happy and smiling all the time.
Personally I go on the premise there are no bad dogs just bad owners. Pit bulls have had a terrible press in my opinion, I mean when did you ever hear a big news story about a toy poodle savaging anyone you hardly ever do because the more muscular looking dogs make for more sensational reading or filmography. I have only met one bully and he was the dopiest pooch you could ever care to meet.
But you guys do wonders with showing the world what fabulous pets the breed do make and what very goodlooking, well cared for dogs of this breed look like. How your dogs interact with everything around them are a credit to you and you should be very proud of yourselves.
Mollys Momma
To be honest I have never petted a pit bull or seen one in person. I really didnt know much about them till dogster and your blog which opened my eyes up to pit bulls. I have more blogs that I follow about pitbulls than other dogs hahah. I do think that the positive message you put out there makes a huge impact. I actually no longer take my dogs to a doggie daycare that has banned pitbulls since becoming a blog follower of yours and learning more about pitbulls from your blog. Keep up the postive work!
I was the same way even after adopting Baily. I kept telling myself that there was no was she had any pit bull in here. We've come around though :)
Don't forget, we've moved to http://dogisgodinreverse.com
I just recently found your blog. I have four rescued pit bulls/pit bull mixes. I think your blog is a wonderful tool to promote bully breeds for the wonderful dogs they really are. Unfortunately, with a lot of the people I meet, there seems to be a lot of "Oh your dog seems nice, but you never know when it will turn on you." It's hard to know how to combat that way of thinking when it's someone that you're basically just meeting in passing.
We recently had a "pit bull" bite in our city and one of the comments was, "When I look in a pit bull's eyes, I see no soul." And I thought, "Then you haven't ever met a pit bull." I think many people truly believe the hype and think that they are some sort of "other" dog that really isn't a dog at all. And the more they meet in person, the more it helps chip away at that idea.
Quite honestly, even though I fell completely in love with Mayzie, it took me a solid 6 months of research to finally crack my own deeply embedded beliefs about pit bull-type dogs. I actually put off the DNA test for a long time because I was afraid of what it might say. But then I got to the point that I knew I would be proud of Mayzie no matter what the DNA test said. And just this morning I thought to myself, "I don't ever want to be without a bully."
With the biased media slant out there, it seems like we're fighting an uphill battle. But I think we just have to keep on doing what we're doing - and changing views one mind at a time.
Amber
I read your blog everyday. And I have to say you are doing a great job educating people about pit bulls and bully breads. I have an American bull dog, which is considered a bully bread as well, and the same biases apply. I have found that bully breads can be the most loving an loyal dogs with the right training, just like you have. Thanks for your blog and keep up the good work!!
Thanks for this blog! I am also an "accidental advocate" and used to think pitties were a vicious breed until I got one by default in 1995 and since then, have been a bully supporter.
SO many people hate pit bulls without ever having known one, often not even knowing what a "pit bull" looks like!
I think most people have never met one and believe the media. The first pitbull I ever met was scared of my golden retriever because he was trying to sniff her and play. The funny thing is, my parents were scared she'd drive the golden up the walls. All she wanted to do was be near me constantly. (We watched her for a friend so she didn't have to go to a kennel.)
Your first paragraph of this post could have been written by me. I felt exactly the same way - didn't want one, wound never have one, dogs of the devil I thought!. Education and real life experience - it's a wonderful thing!
I too could have written your first paragraph...but fortunately a little Staffordshire pup picked me and changed my life--I would not consider any other dogs now, my last three have all been rescued pits (of one moniker or another!) and they have all had a huge influence on changing existing stereotypes!
What a great post about your kids. You take time and gave them a special forever home. Its all in the owner
Benny & Lily
Some will respond well and change their views, but some have decided how it is and that's that. You'll never convince them to change their warped ideas.
That is so sweet!
I think that like you, people just need to meet them.
I did not really have an opinion one way or another about them. I knew they had a terrible reputation but I didn't know anyone who had a pittie.
And then I went to the Walk for Gage in Mississippi.
Oh my God, there was at least 200 pit bulls there.
Now these were supposed to be vicious killer dogs.
I did not see one snarl. Not one growl. Not one bark.
I saw a whole lot of good manners and an amazing amount of slobbery kisses beging given out.
I was in love.
And that is where we found our beloved Haleigh Anne.
People just need to meet one in person.
I think that sometimes the fastest way to do something is slowly. In marketing/advertising people have to see/come across something at least 7 times before they notice it. People will have to keep on meeting lovely pitbulls before it gets through that they are lovely animals.
This truth won't get through to everyone. A lot of people are lazy and would rather keep their mind set rather than change their minds.
But the more people we get through to the more people THEY will get through & so on & so on.
I think there are a lot of things that play into it. I've met several pitties in my life, and all were as sweet as sugar! They're not necessarily the breed for me, but I don't automatically fear all of them.
One of the reasons that I take my dogs to school on occasion is that for many of the kids that I work with, it's the first time they've ever met a friendly dog. A lot of them have met some pretty scary dogs (and I've seen some of them walking in the neighborhood, yowzers!) and they're right to fear some of them. So, I think it takes a lot of education about how wonderful pitties can be for a lot of people to overcome that fear.
Not sure how to get in touch with you, so I apologize for commenting - I am a big fan of your blog and work with a rescue group in San Antonio TX.
We just got an email from a woman in Illinois (?!) regarding a 10 year old pit mix whose owner has been evicted and is moving into government housing, where the dog, Sarge, is not allowed due to his breed :( She feels her only option left is to put this dog down.
Seeing as I am in TX, I was wondering if you could suggest some rescues in IL who might be able to help Sarge. You can email me at info@alamorescuefriends.org. Thanks for any help! And hi to your pooches! :)
I think actually meeting a pit bull makes a huge difference in perception. I have family members who spout off on how dangerous they are. I ask them, "How many have you met?" "Well, none . . . "
Before I signed up to volunteer for my city's animal control, I had never personally met one. I had heard the stories, but took them with a grain of salt. So, I signed up for a PetSmart adoption event (my first activity with this shelter), and the Animal Control van shows up, and we are each handed a dog. I take mine for a walk, go back to PetSmart, and it's being SO silly. Rolling on its back. Sitting in my lap. I say, "Hey, what kind of dog is this?" And it's a pit bull.
I now own a pit bull (Carl), and he is loving, silly, smart (in his own way), playful, everything I ever wanted in a dog.
You do a wonderful job, about spreading the word on how great pitbulls are. I will admit that I was terrified of pitties, until I started walking dogs at the shelter. I have now overcome my fear, and they have shown me that they can be such loving dogs!
I worry when I see some kinds of doggies because I know that there are bad humans who get them for the wrong reasons and then the doggies are not nice (but it isn't their fault).
But I think the big old boxy heads on you pit bully dogs is the cutest thing ever.
Slobbers,
mango
Pitbulls are great dogs! It's all about the people behind the dogs. Keep up the great work!
Wyatt and Stanzie
My parents felt the same way. Actually it's only because the Humane Society tagged me as a lab/pointer mix and my parents never bothered to research what a pit bull looked like that I got adopted by them. They thought about returning me when they found out I was really a pit/pointer mix. But then they researched us and dispelled the myths about pit bull for themselves. And, well, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out I got to stay :)
The Roo Family is a very happy family,
Roo
I think it's definitely possible to change people's opinion about pit bulls! My mom was one of those people who was absolutely against me owning a pit bull, but after having met/lived with our Luci, she is totally smitten with her and the breed now. Might not be able to change everyone's mind, but each one counts :)
I think every ounce of contact helps. Like many of you, I had the same fears. Now we "turn" people regularly, without much effort at all. I call Stella the "magic" dog but it isn't just her - it's pit bulls and it's totally true, the people who bark the loudest (pardon that pun) are those who've never met one.
Great question- I think the more positive exposure the better. I've never met a pitty that hurt me. As a vet tech, I work with alot of dogs. I've never been snapped at by a pitty without proper warning. And even then, it was after being provoked - getting a fecal sample or a rectal temp. The focus has to be on these dogs as victims of cultural violence. If we can educate and legislate for the safety of these wonderful dogs, they cab come out on top. Kudos to you for your efforts! Thank you!
I think it makes a HUGE difference. I had never been around the breed until I started dating my boyfriend nearly a year and a half ago. He had a neighbor that was neglecting their pit, Lacy, whom we eventually rescued and is now ours. They are a great breed and when I take Lacy out with my golden, Charlee, people always stop to talk because they just don't realize how friendly the breed is.
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