What Makes a Pit Bull a Pet? 

By Bill Clanton of All Pets Radio (www.allpetsradio.com)

The answer to that question could be the one thing that legislators all over this country need to realize.  I'm not writing this to bash anyone or scream about my dislike for the way specific breeds are being treated, but I am writing this in the hopes that somewhere sometime someone who makes these decisions will read this and then consider the results of their actions.

The journey for me started just 10 months ago.  I never thought I would say this but "I fell in love with a Pit Bull, an American Pit Bull Puppy named Donut to be exact."  My sister had rescued this puppy, but soon after found that she could not handle the care and training necessary.  So my wife and I decided to give that puppy a better home.

Before meeting Donut my opinion of Pit Bulls was negative.  I had always thought of them has such mean dogs that didn't belong in a house with children.  But something changed for me.  Maybe it was that floppy right ear, or uncontrollable wagging tail, well no matter what it was I was in love. 

Once Donut was settled in I really got to know this little guy, who was quickly becoming the big guy.  I was amazed he took to training practically overnight and he was so full of love.  But wait, this is a pit bull, a mean aggressive and dangerous dog, right? 

I then learned that several neighbors of mine also had Pit Bulls.  They too were very well behaved and very good around my son.  This really got me thinking.  "Is it just media hype?  Where did my misconception of pit bull behavior come from?"  Then I was confused even more when I heard the news of pit bulls all over being put to death just for being in the wrong city at the wrong time. 

How could this happen?  Let's put aside the fact that this is America and we are a free country.  Those dogs didn't hurt anyone.  No, this is just a knee jerk bandaid reaction to a problem that started with the owner and not the pet.  I say "pet" and not "animal".  (An animal is untamed and wild. A pet is a member of the family.)  Responsible pet ownership is the solution to the problem.  If a child mouths off to a teacher in class we say it's the parents fault, but if a dog barks and bites someone we blame the dog.  Why is that?  If you own a dog, care for a dog, or are just thinking about getting a dog, I urge you to take the time to train your dog properly and give them tons of love.  The song doesn't just apply to people, because "Love is all you need."