by Susan Gillihan

Created on: July 31, 2007   Last Updated: December 06, 2007

To categorize all Pit Bulls as being mean is about the same as saying you can get HIV from a toilet seat, or all men are jerks, or all women suffer from PMS. It just isn't true. Animals, in this case, dogs, are similar in respect to humans, their environment helps shape their final outcome. The few and far between humans, who have turned out smart and wonderful in an abusive/starvation/hatred/violent environment is about the same as dogs. Those dogs, we have learned from news programs, are 'put down' due to their inadequacies, their refusal or lack of heart to kill their opponent. From we this can surmise that even though they were raised in a violent and abusive environment they still were unable to perform the the specifications of their owners, which was to become mean and violent killers.

Now the other side of the coin, as in humans, there are those who are raised in loving, nonviolent homes and yet they still are violent themselves. Like a person such as Jeffery Dahmer, what caused him to become the violent individual that he became? There are animals that are what one could term as 'bad', why? Well, it just happens. Maybe the term 'screw loose' would fit appropriately in the dog world as well as it does the human.

Pit Bulls get their reputation from the news, and from the idiots that claim ownership of them. They tie them with tow chains to strengthen their neck and chest muscles, give them bowling balls or cement blocks to play with. These people then proudly walk the streets with these dogs using a pinch collar in an attempt control them. Those that observe this then have fear put into them. Those that make their observations/opinions from watching the news are being shown a vicious barking, salivating, growling dog. No wonder there is fear of these dogs.

As an owner of dogs, all different breeds, one being a Pit Bull I have to say she is just, if not more loving than my Collie, and Beagle. She is more than willing to share her food, my bed, and the love of everyone in the house. She was abused when we got her, had been starved and caged, un-potty trained and beaten for soiling in her crate. Yet when she came into our home she was more than willing to be loved, and in return love us. In her time here she has become a large, and I emphasize on the large, part of the family. Her favorite pastime is chasing shadows. Shadows of all sorts, in the afternoon she will beg for someone to open the front door where the sun hits nicely on the windows, making reflections, so she can chase the bright spots. The birds in the yard have decided she is a fun toy for them to play with, they will fly out of their trees to get her to chase their shadows and land again, over and over. In the heat of the afternoon when the birds are napping, the butterflies come out to play with her, making lovely shadows on the ground for her to chase. Such a fearsome sight, a pit bull chasing the shadow of a butterfly. For one with such a difficult beginning she has blossomed into a wonderful pet. Pit Bulls - Murderous Beast? I think not.

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