Something I care about.

                   This is a subject that not only means a lot to me, it is very dear to my heart.  The stigma around Pitbulls drives me crazy.  I currently own an 11 year old female American Pitbull Terrier.  Her name is Alexis.  She is a great dog.  She isn’t my first dog and not my last.  Over the years I have owned many different breeds of dogs.  I have owned a Miniature Schnauzer, three Doberman Pinchers, a pug Chihuahua mix, and two Pitbull Terriers.   Six years ago this May I put my best friend Rocky to sleep he was my first pitbull terrier.   Rocky was seven years young , he had bone cancer, it was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in my life.  To this very day it still makes me cry.  He was by far the best dog I have ever had with Alexis a close second.  I love the pitbull breed because they are loyal, very smart and easy to train.  I trust the dogs with my life and trust them fully around my two young children.  I believe that a dog can be whoever you make it.  I have done research over the years, and research says that the pitbull terrier is a people pleaser, which I fully believe because all I have to do is raise my voice and Alexis is under control.  Pitbulls are more apt to hunt/chase other animals because they are more of a game breed.  They get their name because in the early days they were raised to take down bulls. 

            Over the years I think pitbulls have gotten a bad reputation because of some well publicized horrible acts that have happened.  I also think the fact you only hear the bad traits about the breed, has a huge impact on what you think about the breed. Ten years ago my uncles Doberman pinscher ripped my other uncle’s throat out from ear to ear, because we can only assume he was jealous.  My uncle almost bled to death and receiver thousands of stiches and could have died.  There wasn’t even an article in the local newspaper.  If he had been bitten by a pitbull I would be willing to bet that it would have made not only the local paper but possibly the national news.  The bottom line is dogs will be dogs and pitbulls are not the only breed to bite or seriously harm someone; it’s just more talked about.