No bad dogs, just bad owners.

by John DiBernardo
(East Syracuse NY)

I was a Letter Carrier for 23 years and I know that given the right situation any dog can bite. Whether it's protecting a bone or it's territory, a dog might protect, but isn't that why man domesticated wolves over 5000 years ago? To protect...and for companionship.

It's the companionship that keeps dogs in our homes today. The unconditional LOVE you get just for walking in the door.

That said I was still a little shocked the day my wife wanted to adopt a Jasmine a boxer/terrier mix estimated to be about 35lbs as an adult, that was born at the local SPCA. I went to see her and said "she looks like a pitbull to me and would probably weigh about 65lbs"

Well my wife loved her and that was that. She's about 6 years old now and while I was right about her size (70 lbs) I was wrong about Pits. She loves everybody and has zero dog aggression.

Since then we rescued a 10 month old Red Nose (now 3) who was abused by his first owner. He was 18 lbs at intake with mange, a tick near his eye. Let's just say it wasn't pretty! Rocky is a happy, healthy 52 lb lap dog who wants to be by your side as much as possible and loves walks, car rides and belly rubs.

It is not the breed, it is what the dog is trained to do and a Pits' overwhelming desire to please it's owner. No bad dogs just bad owners.