What To Look For When Adopting A Pit Bull

The pit bull breed has been quite controversial in the news for quite some time. For all of you who have been curious and/or interested in adopting this adorable breed, I have an infographic that I received from AdoptAPet.com that makes it easier. One trend I've noticed lately is that some shelters are leaving the word pit bull out when listing these dogs for adoption to discourage dog fighters from adopting them. I think it's a good thing because it should always be about the dog and how they relate to their potential owner. This dog has suffered under an unfair stigma for too long. After what happened to dogs like Lennox, something has got to change.

Infographic: Adopt A Pet

Learn more about Adopt A Pet by visiting their website.

Let's Discuss!

What do you look for in adopting a dog?

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Michael Vick Five Years Later
Dangerous Dog Bans

Michael Vick Five Years Later

Michael Vick has been reviled (with good reason) by many, including myself, for what he did to pit bulls five years ago. Recently, through a tweet of his, he had posted a picture with a box of Milk Bone dog biscuits in the background. Then, a few days later, it was revealed that he had a dog. When questioned by reporter, he wanted to keep things about football and evaded the dog question. Later, he came clean about it by issuing a statement:

"I understand the strong emotions by some people about our family's decision to care for a pet," Vick said. "As a father, it is important to make sure my children develop a healthy relationship with animals. I want to ensure that my children establish a loving bond and treat all of God's creatures with kindness and respect. Our pet is well cared for and loved as a member of our family. This is an opportunity to break the cycle. To that end, I will continue to honor my commitment to animal welfare and be an instrument of positive change."

At first, I was outraged. I was 100% convinced this could be the worst thing ever. I thought that Michael Vick would be banned from owning dogs for the rest of his life. It turns out as part of his probation, there was a time limit that expired in May, and he's now able to own dogs again.

As much as I want to, I can't vilify the guy anymore. If he was living by himself and adopted these dogs, I would find that more of a problem. In a situation as controversial as this one, you have to look at the facts as well as the opinions.

One of the facts is, the judge who sentenced him, did not ban him from having dogs for life. He was given a three-year period. There must have been a good reason that judge didn't ban him from owning dogs for life. Any backlash would fall on the judge's shoulders.

Another fact is that out of all of the dogs found that horrific day, one of the dogs was Michael Vick's pet, who was in excellent health during the Bad Newz Kennel raid. So many dogs die in shelters each day because there aren't enough people out there who can give them a safe forever home. What's worse, giving it to a man who's trying to do the right thing after making a huge error in judgement or euthanizing the dog so he'll become just another statistic?

Lastly, he has three children who are innocent. How are they supposed to understand that when a person finishes their punishment, why shouldn't they get another chance? Is that what our country is about?

Michael Vick has been lucky enough to have a life most young boys dream about. As much as he's screwed up big time, he's done good in the world too. Before his arrest, he created the Michael Vick Foundation to help at-risk kids and a scholarship foundation to help students who were part of the equally tragic West Virginia shooting.

I see a person trying to do right by his kids. He's tried to make up for what he did by working with animal groups as an advocate. If he didn't care about making things better, he wouldn't have bothered to continue his volunteer work after his probation ended. It shows that he was big enough to admit to his mistakes. Also, what does it say about us that we can't forgive? Granted, I have no desire to ever see him play football or buy one of his jerseys, but if he's going to put a dog into an abusive situation again, it will affect his children and the aftereffects will be too much to bear.

As much as I hate what he did, the truth of the matter is that he has too much to lose, if he ever does anything like this again. For his sake, I hope he only has one dog and keeps that one dog happy and healthy for a long, long time. Everyone is capable of change if they truly want their life to be different. Change isn't easy, but it appears that he's slowly learning his lesson and trying to become a better person than what he was in his dogfighting past.

When it comes down to it, it's about the dogs themselves. We can choose to focus on a criminal who adopted a dog to benefit his children or we can try to save the other dogs out there who are still being used for dog fighting, to make puppy mill owners a quick buck or being senselessly abused for no good reason. I choose the latter. It doesn't mean I've forgotten what Vick has done, but there comes a time where you have to move on. What he does now can't change what he did in the past, but one can hope that he gains wisdom and truly changes for the better as a result.

Let's Discuss!

Please feel free to agree or disagree below.

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When BSL Laws Fail

In the past week, there's been a story that's been in the forefront. Lennox, a 7-year-old Lab/Bulldog mix was seized from his home under the "Dangerous Dogs Law" in Belfast. The irony is there is no Pit Bull in him whatsoever. The owners had no choice but to let the government seize the dogs or they would face imprisonment themselves. Never mind that this dog has never been aggressive or acted inappropriately to another dog or human being. In fact, his purpose in life has been to serve as a therapy dog to the owner's young daughter.

The gall of the Belfast city government to step in and remove this dog without provocation is ignorance at its finest. This breed specific law does not give dogs the opportunities to be judged as individuals but rather be labelled with a group of dogs that no one wants to deal with. They have overstepped their bounds to uphold a law that's controversial to begin with. Little did they count on the willingness of the family to fight back.

The family created a website called SaveLennox.co.uk to help get back a dog that was taken away from them for no good reason. They also started a petition which has over 155,000 signatures to bring Lennox back to them. In addition they have a Facebook page, Twitter Page and other social media outlets to help them get the word out about this injustice.

Since he's been confiscated by the government, he's been forced to live in decrepit conditions and treated as a nuisance. One can only see the true effect of neglect. The dog in the video above was happy, playful and loved by his family. Lennox has been so stressed by his captivity, his hair has been falling out. The dog that you see in internet photos is lonely, neglected and abandoned by the same entity that is said to speak for the voice of the people. This time, their voice has a huge frog in its throat.

About Belfast

Belfast is a city of 305,000 people. Known for its civil wars, one thing that makes Belfast stand out is that the Titanic was built there. Ireland is known for its lush green land and that also applies to Belfast.

It Didn't Matter

On June 12th, Lord Justice Girvan of the Appeals Court upheld the death sentence by the lower courts. Many have speculated that this was the need to save face. I think if he judged in favor of Lennox, it would have greatly diminished the strength of a law that few believe in its merits as is.

Generally, governments are elected to represent the people as a whole. They fight for their beliefs. This time, the governments miserably failed. All they've proven is they have a huge ego and are not astute enough to see the forest through the trees. It didn't matter how their actions affected the people.

155,000 + signatures hasn't made a difference to them. Testimonials of famous dog trainers like Cesar Millan and Victoria Stillwell has fallen on deaf ears. The voice of the media is powerful when sensationalizing dog attacks but is unheard when it comes to celebrating the magnificence of dogs. Even an article where the First Minister of Northern Ireland had issues with this.

This goes to show how pride can wound as much as prevail. Is Lennox still alive? No one knows for sure. One thing I do know is that when I visited their site a couple of days ago, there was a timer that counted the amount of time that Lennox had been seized down to the very second. When I visited the website again, that timer is nowhere to be found. Either the website owners took it down voluntarily, were forced to do it because of the government or worse yet, was taken down because Lennox was euthanized.

Looking Forward

I only hope Lennox's life is spared. However, this situation has tainted a beautiful, modern city because of the actions of a weak-minded few that are in power. They chose to darken the line in the sand instead of looking at the fact that this situation blurred it for good reason. Many times, no one is to blame, but in this situation, that's not the case.

Let's Discuss!

How do you feel about this?

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Why Dogs Love To Chase Moving Objects

An Unexpected Attack

Last week, a 62-year-old man was running along a beach. Out of nowhere, two pitbulls chased him and nearly mauled him to death. If a neighbor hadn't intervened, by hitting the dogs with a baseball bat, he would have died. He was admitted to the hospital in a coma.

Because they attacked a human, the dogs shot on site, and the owner was cited with failure to own a proper license as well as failure to restrain each dog. How did this happen? Someone had left the gate open in their backyard.

What makes this story especially tragic was the owner, Jimmy Johnson, was forthcoming when the story broke. He was hoping that these weren't his dogs but his worst nightmare came true.

What Drives Dogs To Chase Objects In Motion

This story is terrifying for all parties involved. It's a situation where all dog owners should be proactive. I couldn't help but wonder what drives them to chase people and other moving objects. All it takes is for a dog to chase a car and get hit. There isn't just one reason but many. Here are some.

They are protecting their territory.

Many dogs feel that their job is to keep watch over their home. A home with a fenced-in yard is practically a requirement for dog owners because it's easy for a dog to take off an running. They will stop at nothing to protect their territory and one of those ways is to chase intruders away.

They are intriguing.

Joggers and bicyclists are interesting to dogs. They are naturally curious and when they see a jogger running by they want to see what's happening.

They view it as prey.

Although dogs are domesticated, many have a natural prey drive. Whether it's a squirrel, rabbit or cat, many are inclined to want to chase them down. Seeing a person or fast moving object can easily trigger the prey drive, especially if the dog is a hunting breed. Dogs don't see this as work, but more as if it's sport.

Final Thoughts

Accidents happen. Not everything can be seen in black and white when it comes to dogs. Even though they are now domesticated, it's always important to remember that they will have a strong animal instinct that comes out from time to time. It's a reminder to owners that being a dog lover comes with an even stronger ability to anticipate these moments.

Let's Discuss!

What are some things that your dog loves to chase that you wish they wouldn't?

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Prey Of The Dog: Down Under
Rabbit Frenzy

I know it's been awhile since I've written a post. I'm in the middle of learning a new technology (Drupal). The process has taken more of my time than usual. Balancing it out with blogging has been quite a challenge but I just wanted to let you know that I will always be writing, just not as frequently. I appreciate your patience and if anyone has any comments or questions, leave them below.

Pit Bull Nation

Pit Bull Nation

Pit Bulls are dogs that are constantly under the eye of scrutiny. Articles like this one show the typical attitude of the media when it comes to this breed. It’s a shame too because most times, the reader gets only half the story. I’ve been a long-time advocate of this breed because they have been so unfairly judged. When I was asked to review Pit Bull Nation by Cindy Marabito, I jumped at the chance.

Book Review

One of the biggest misconceptions is that many people think this breed of dogs are monsters. This book helps to dispel that myth. It’s a collection of stories that narrate one women’s journey from being a steadfast animal lover to a fearless animal crusader.

The book begins in 1995 when Cindy Marabito and her husband Scott move from Texas to Northern California. While they are settling in to their new life there, Cindy becomes a volunteer at the CCACC (Coastal County Animal Care and Control). Known for its strong reputation, we are taken on an eye-opening journey through the author’s time there while volunteering. At first, Cindy was afraid to even be in the breed’s presence, but after working at the shelter for awhile, she discovered aspects of this special breed never fully realized.

In order to help save more of these incredible dogs, she founded Round Up Rescue in 1998. The book shows how starting a non-profit is no easy task. Each victory is offset by a setback. If I were to use one word to describe this book, it would have to be honesty. It’s an informative and
passionate view into the world of shelters and rescue groups.


We meet such lively and memorable dogs. One of which was named Mookie wound up choosing them and always sat by their door until his negligent owners decided to give him to them. Another was named Martha who loved to play with tennis balls. Many other dogs like Junior, Girl, Pip and Arthur have unique and remarkable stories that stay with you after the book is finished.

Photo: 123RF Stock Photos

There are many stories that have fantastic outcomes. Yet, like life, not every one of these has a fairy tale ending. This book shows how the more important a situation is, the more power and politics come into play. We learn how rescue groups originate and the difficult battles they endure every day to save dogs who otherwise would be euthanized.

I highly recommend this book. If you are a dog lover or have been curious about the pit bull mystique, this book is a must-read. However, because the stories are real some of them may be hard to handle for the faint-hearted dog fans. Still, the message from the author is powerful. She has such a passion for saving animals it’s incredible and shines through.

You can learn more about Cindy and her rescue group through the following websites:
Pit Bull Nation Website (Every book purchase goes towards building the best shelter possible for Reunion Rescue)
Reunion Rescue Facebook Page
Amazon Link

Let’s Discuss!

What are your thoughts on this breed? How has a pit bull touched your life?

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The Lost Dogs Book Review

The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption was a book I ordered from Amazon right when it came out. However, due to the demands of my classes, I didn't get a chance to read it until I was on vacation. It also didn't help that the first chapter was very graphic. I wouldn't change a thing though because the grittiness of that chapter was very realistic.

That said, this book gives an clear picture of the Michael Vick dogfighting case. It is divided into three sections: Rescue, Reclamation and Redemption. While it wasn't the biggest case ever (that belonged to the folks in Missouri where 400 dogs were seized), it was the case to define all others. 51 dogs were confiscated and all of them had different outcomes. It's also important to note that not all of these dogs were not only pit bulls but also Beagles , Presa Canarios and others.

This book illustrates the mystique and misunderstanding of the pit bull breed. It shows us how Michael Vick's celebrity affected the case procedure. Tackling this situation head on involved people from all over the country. Most importantly, this book takes us on a journey with all of these dogs. It brings out the anger and disbelief of what happened as well as the hope and triumph for the dogs' future.

This is one of the best books I've read all year. It is written with a strong focus and an objective eye on a despicable situation. I picked up my book from Amazon. Here is the link for your convenience:
The Lost Dogs...

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Dangerous Dog Bans

I was looking at the news this morning and came across an article where Cesar Millan can't bring his pit bull Junior  to Toronto, Ontario because of a dangerous dog ban. Nevermind that Junior is a pit bull mix who has basically been an ambassador whose calming presence help comfort many aggressive dogs.

Junior and Daddy from Cesar Millan's Website

While I think that there are dangerous dogs out there, I think it's unfair to lump them all into one group because of a few bad dogs who probably didn't have an owner, or was doing what they thought their irresponsible owner wanted.

Dangerous Dogs: Myth or Reality?

Many dogs such as Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Presa Canario, or even Doberman Pinschers are considered dangerous by lawmakers. The irony is that bad owners have made these dogs dangerous. If an owner gets a dog with aggressive tendencies, they must have the patience to help reel in that aggressive streak. Instead, many of them will try to fight them in dog fights, beat them up as an outlet for their frustration or simply turn them into mean dogs so they won't feel intimidated.

Who suffers? It's not the owners, but the dog. There are dogs out there with behavior issues that can be threatening to humans. They may be strays who've had to fend for themselves or dogs who have been severely abused. It's so hard to believe that a certain breed of dog is dangerous though. Everything has its exceptions.

Not everyone likes dogs. Still, as long as certain dogs are raised by responsible owners and act like good citizens, why not exclude them from these bans? Better yet, instead of targeting a specific breed, why not judge every situation individually?

Personally, the more I read about places creating dangerous dog bans, the more I think they are perpetuating the myth instead of getting to the heart of the matter. When you create laws that are based on fear, there is little possibility to change the situation for the better.

Let's Discuss!

What are your feelings on dangerous dog bans?

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National Pit Bull Awareness Day

Today is National Pit Bull Awareness Day. It started back in 2007 when a rescue group called Bless The Bullies created this holiday to help promote animal adoption and counteract the negative media attention that this breed endures.

Forced To Be Victims

Pit bulls find themselves constantly being put in the midst of dog fights. They are put into these situations to exploit their aggressiveness.

In truth, these dogs are just the same as any other. They want a home and a family to love them. It helps to be an experienced dog owner. However, with the right training and knowledge of the breed, pit bulls can fit into any family.

Celebrate The Breed

There will be many places around the country educating the public about this exquisite animal. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, there will be a special event called PittyPalooza to promote pit bull adoption and unite pit bull fans. In addition you will find many rescue groups having adoption days all over the U.S.

Photo Credit: Danuta Kania

Let's Discuss!

For all the pit bull fans out there, what do you love most about the breed?

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Home At Last

Photo From Facebook Fan Page

It all started when a little black-brown dog was wandering on the expressway one day. Ike, the Eisenhower dog has found a home. He officially released a statement this past weekend and is living with a cat named Harley. He's living in a house that has a huge yard and a futon just for him.

It's nice to hear that this story has a happy ending. I hope you all are having a great week.

Elena

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One Good Dog

Book Review

One day I was reading an article about Susan Wilson, who was the author of this book. She had said that she had initially feared the pit bull but then learned more about how pit bulls are easily misconceived as they were initially by the author. At first, I though it was a true story but after I picked it up one day, I was pleasantly surprised to learn it was a novel.

This is a story with real heart. It manages to balance the fine line of telling a powerful story without getting overly sentimental. There are two protagonists, one is a human named Adam. The other is a pit bull who has no name until he meets Adam.

Adam is a successful businessman who's life changes in an instant when he makes a huge mistake at his job. The pit bull has been living as a fight dog when he is taken in by animal control. When their lives connect, that's where the true magic begins. Adam's story is narrated in the third person whereas the dog's story is told in the first person. This makes the life of the dog in the story more poignant and heartbreaking.

It is a story about friendship, redemption and starting fresh. The author really has created vivid characters and a realistic story. I would recommend this book for everyone ages 15 and up. This book gives a voice to one of the most neglected dog breeds in our modern day. You can find One Good Dog at any brick and mortar bookstore, online at places like Amazon or Barnes and Noble and at your local library.

Let's Discuss!

Have you ever had a misconception about a certain dog breed that surprised you once you learned more about them? Have you read this book? What are your thoughts?

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The Runaway Dog On The Eisenhower Part II

Photo from Chicago Sun-Times

The Latest

As some of you already know, the runaway dog that was wandering the Eisenhower Expressway is recuperating at the hospital. His name is Eisenhower and is being called Ike for short. I spoke to one of the employees and she informed me that the hospital is being deluged with calls. Since he has no collar, tags or microchip, Ike will be released to a local rescue group to be adopted. The hospital employees believe him to be between 3 to 5 years old.

More Than Meets The Eye

While speaking to Ali, an employee of the hospital on the phone, she informed me that the hospital gets quite a few pit bulls in their care. They actually have them for adoption because so many of the rescue groups are full and pit bulls are not that popular because of all the backlash from the media. I only wish they put as much effort in printing the positive stories about pit bulls as they did the negative.

If you live in the Chicagoland area, are fond of the pit bull breed, and looking for a canine companion, please contact the Hillchester Hospital for more information at 708-449-6300. Many of these dogs have sweet dispositions and will make an excellent companion.

Let's Discuss!

Has your town had a similar dog like Ike? Do you have a pet overpopulation problem where you live?

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Grandma Files Petition Against Pitbulls After Grandson Adopts Them

David Winegar and his three pups Photo Resource: Bismarck Tribune

The Lowdown

There are some stories you hear about that make you scratch your head. I certainly was doing that when I heard about Patty Robbins. Her grandson, David Winegar, recently adopted three pit bull puppies that were only one-month old. Instead of congratulating her grandson, she filed a petition at the city hall in Regent, North Dakota.

Unfortunately, one of her dogs was attacked by a pit bull. Mrs. Robbins fears that one of her grandson's four sons would be attacked by one of his pit bulls. Nevertheless, she was able to obtain 43 signatures on her petition to ban Pitbulls and Rottweilers. Regent only has 200 people living in it. Her grandson did not hear this directly through her but through the grapevine.

They are close and both hope that their relationship survives this. Does he see his Grandma often or a few times a year? Part of me wonders why she didn't talk to him directly about how she feels about the dog breed. The other part of me wonders why the grandson had to get the pitbull breed when he knew that his grandmother had suffered a traumatic incident in the past?

Still, I can't help feel for the grandson. He adopted young puppies, not dogs. How you raise your dogs is just as important as what type of dog you own. It's not fair to the puppies and the grandmother is assuming the worst conclusion.

What Next?

If the law passes, David Winegar will have to pack up and move to another town. Having four young sons, their lives will be disrupted so he'll be able to keep his dogs. I can't help but thinking the grandmother has jumped the gun. I only hope there can be a way to resolve this so both of them benefit.

Read More About It

If you would like to read more about this in its entirety, check out the Bismarck Tribune.

Let's Discuss

What do you think about this? Do you feel for the grandmother or the grandson?

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Buster

About seven years ago, I was doing dog walking as a living. One of the dogs was named Buster. He was a reddish-brown Pit Bull who was about two years old. His owner had saved him the day before he was about to be euthanized. Buster was found from a place that did dog fighting. He was either a bait dog, or used in fighting, the owner wasn't sure. You could see little scars on his face. Still, he was a happy pooch.

Buster loved humans but as a result of the fighting, had a tendency to be aggressive towards other dogs. To combat that, I had to be very careful of where I took him for a walk. If I ran into another dog, I would make sure to take him the other way and be super careful that I had a good hold of the leash. Some people would give me disapproving looks but I never took that personally. He was very strong and pulled all time time, but you could tell he loved every minute of his walk. There were times I would run with him to help him get some of that energy out of him. He was so appreciative. Even with a dog as strong as Buster, I never had a major problem with him because I knew what to expect.

Dogs like Buster is why I wrote the Misunderstood Pit Bull. I may have not stayed in dogwalking for longer than a couple of months that year, but Buster was a dog who would never be forgotten. Hope you all have a great day.

The Misunderstood Pit Bull

Pit Bulls have been a controversial dog breed for quite some time. It's common to hear many reports of vicious attacks that have happened. It's heartbreaking to hear these stories and my heart goes out to all of the people who have suffered from these incidents. However, I think the dog breed has become a scapegoat unfairly.

My issue with blaming these dogs is that they are known for being strong, devoted and loyal to their owners. The two main factors that affect a dog's behavior, --especially a pit bull-- is how they are raised and the environment they are raised in.

Pit Bulls originated from people who wanted an exceptional fighting dog in the 1800s to fight bulls in England. Since then, some will buy these dogs because they need a dog to be mean. A dog only shows its aggressive side when it's feeling threatened. These individuals specifically bring out the aggressiveness of the dog to get that reaction. Others will buy these dogs as puppies and dogs and use the weaker dogs as bait dogs and teach the stronger dogs to fight to the kill. Of course, they make money off the whole thing because there are people who love to watch this and pick a winner.

Yet, we have a group of dog owners out there who love the breed. They want a companion and family dog, and are responsible owners. They know that the American Pit Bull Terrier is an active breed so will take the time to make sure that their lifestyle is able to reflect those needs.

Still, these stories are heard about these breeds are few and far between. Instead, the media focuses on the horror stories because that is what sells papers. It's easier to dismiss this breed as evil and view the situation in black and white instead of attribute any of the faults to the people who have mishandled or abused them. Insurance companies may not provide homeowner's coverage and some cities have made this breed illegal.

One thing that will not change is that dogs have a strong ability to bond with humans. Dogs give unconditional love and enjoy the company of human beings. Pit Bulls are still part of this group. If a person has never had an experience with these dogs, one can't possibly know how they can be. As long as owners are being responsible and giving these dogs the love and care that they need, pit bulls should be treated as any other dog. They are not for everyone but every dog has its own unique qualities and pit bulls shouldn't be punished for the mistakes of irresponsible people.

Here are some links if you would like to learn more about this breed:
Bull Dog Breeds.com
The Dog Owner's Guide
Michael Vick Dogs

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks for stopping by.