When I walk my dog, elderly couples cross the street, mothers with strollers abruptly turn and walk in the opposite direction, and owners of toy breeds hurriedly carry their dogs out of "harm's way" while making some nasty comment to me and/or my dog. My dog is "banned" from many of New York City's dog runs before she has even stepped foot into one. In some states, it is "illegal" to even own my dog, let alone walk her. I am the owner of a sweet, beautiful, 8 month old, brindle colored Pitbull (American Pit Bull Terrier or "APBT") mix.
"Lady" came to me about three weeks ago from "
Stray From the Heart," a wonderful dog rescue group that tirelessly places abused and/or homeless dogs into foster care or adoption. Originally, I had my sights set on "Hazel," a pet store type cutie, who was abused and in need of rehabilitation. Having had extensive experience with dogs throughout my life, I was up for the challenge. I was informed, however, that Hazel had already found a foster, but that there were plenty others like her. I gave it a go.
Grotesquely underweight and beat up, "Lady" averted my eyes and cowered behind Beth, Stray from the Heart's president and co-founder, when I came to see the "tough sell." She sniffed my hand, but ducked, tail between her legs, when I tried to pet her. There was something so deeply troubling about her sad chocolate brown eyes that I made the first rash decision of my entire life-I was going to foster "Lady" for a month, despite my full time job and other volunteer efforts. I knew sacrifices were going to have to be made in the next few weeks, but I decided that Lady deserved a stable temporary home to at least get her back on her feet.
As soon as I got home, Lady and I got to work. Although housetraining was a priority, I was more concerned about her temperament. In my naivete, I believed that all abused dogs and "all Pit Bulls" were aggressive toward humans. Having been bitten by my own dog as a child, I did not wish it upon anyone else, so I began to administer several clinical aggression tests used by animal behavioralists. I gave her some treats, then took them away from her. She whined. I pet her all over to see if there were any "hot spots" which are often accompanied by a warning growl or bite. She rolled over on her belly with her tongue sticking out, begging for more. I even placed my hand in her "notorious lockjaw." She seemed disinterested and licked it. This was no aggressive dog, but a true companion animal. Her vet, "Dr. G", confirmed my assessment. In the next two weeks, Lady would be poked and prodded with needles every other day-she needed her vaccinations and routine shots, all 10 of them-rabies, boosters, vitamins, dewormers and antibiotics. She took them all in stride. In fact, Lady was one of the very few dogs who did not need a vet tech to hold her down. She would wince and whine, of course, but when it was all over, she would lick Dr. G's hand forgivingly. After just a week, Lady was fully housetrained, knew all her basic commands and well, acted just like a real "Lady" in public. She approached Malteses and Pugs with the gentleness of a mother to her pup. She steered clear of baby carriages, probably sensing its mother's worry. And when strangers approached, she would shyly sniff then crouch behind me until cajoled with a treat. Despite her terrible past, Lady was resilient and a forgiver-mushier than the mushiest Yellow Lab.
And then I began to realize just how ignorant and rude people can be. Two weeks ago, a "dog lover" (I use that term loosely as she explained how she purchased her Bichon Frise from a local pet store) seemed aghast that my "Pit" was friendly. "I normally never let MY dog play with a 'Pit.'" A couple of days later, an elderly couple hurriedly crossed the street when they saw my "Pit" approaching. "She's more frightened of you then you are of her!" I shouted to these ingnoramuses. When I asked a man with two Portuguese Water Dogs if Lady (who I have since named Kaja) could "say hello," he replied with an ever so friendly "hell no." And then, just this morning, when I was taking Kaja out for her morning walk, one man with a Jack Russell said, "Get your f*cking dog away from Bruno or I'll f*cking punch you." Mind you, Kaja was more than 5 feet away from the dog and simply minding her own business. I needn't reprint my reply to this SOB.
The thing is, you can't judge a book by its cover. I've seen just as many nippy Chihuahuas as I have passive Rottweilers and Pits. Most of the blame lies with the media. A recent Law and Order episode further perpetuated the Pit Bull stereotype by casting a beautiful Red Nosed APBT as the culprit in a young woman's death. An APBT was a "loaded weapon," according to the premise of the show. Should a fluffy Border Collie attack someone, you can rest assured that it won't get as negative press as an APBT or Doberman attack, if at all. While it is true that Pit Bulls were originally bred for fighting and "gameness" (killing determination), so too were Boxers, Bulldogs, and Bull Terriers, just to name a few. And it is indeed an egregious misconception that all Pit Bulls are "fighters" as there are just as many "currs," or those deemed "too friendly to fight."
I'm not saying that the Pit Bull should replace the Golden Retriever or Yellow Lab as a family pet. Because of their genetic predisposition, they do best in households with an experienced and responsible dog owner. Constant socialization is key as well as training (using only positive reinforcement). And of course, this goes without saying, but please spay or neuter your lovely Pit. As an ASPCA volunteer, I can't tell you how many stories I hear about the CACC putting down thousands of unwanted and otherwise friendly Pits a month-because of the constant bad press, Pits more so than any other breed are considered unadoptable and systematically euthanized in our City's animal shelters. And so the cycle of hatred toward these beautiful creatures continues.
Pits are probably one of the most misunderstood dog breeds. They might not have the fluffy coat of the American Eskimo Dog or the twinkling blue eyes of the Siberian Husky. They are a no-frills dog's dog. And, true to their dog heritage, they are perhaps some of the most loyal, obedient and friendly dogs in the proper care. Hard exterior, soft heart, I say. In fact, I personally would just as soon leave Kaja alone in a room with a 5 year old child than with a nippy Poodle. So, for "Pit's sake," don't ostracize me or my Kaja for something that she hasn't done and probably never will do.
