Some "Owners" of pit bulls are dangerous

by Jeff Cole
(Scotch Plains)

I have always had big dogs during my life. I had a 10th generation Rottweiler that was gracious as a butterfly and just as harmless. I grew up with this friend of mine for 12.5 years until I had too put her down due to cancer...^

Months later, I came across a "Pit Bull" on the internet on the Best Friends Animal shelter, and I went to go see the dog, who was at a foster home, and was extremely friendly and very happy go lucky.. I could tell she had been fought, beaten, starved, and horribly mistreated.

I decided to Adopt her right away, soon as we got home, her true colors came out. I couldn't even go to pet her because she would growl and snap at my hand.

I had heard all sorts of stories about this dog, that she had been through 7 homes, and in one of them was starved for over 2 months, as when I got her she was only 22 pounds!! She had, mange, alopecia, ear mites, 40 pounds under weight and a very nervous stomach, could you blame her for being cautious?? After all, I didn't really know her, and she didn't know me, but I was determined to at least get her healthy again.

Three months later, weighing 50 pounds, ear mite free, mange gone, and still somewhat nervous stomach, she began to trust me. The morning of the third month, I went to pet her, and she still was nervous and would still Growl a little bit, so I gave her her space and knew this was going to be a long process due to the extensive abuse she had lived through.

That night, She came into my room, jumped up on the bed, and curled into a little ball and placed her head on my shoulder and fell asleep!!! After that day, she has been my shadow and best friend. She had done a complete 360.

When I first got her, she was afraid of people, her own shadow and was uncertain with other dogs, but after getting her out and taking her to dog parks, and carefully introducing her to other mostly balanced dogs, she is now one of the best loved and well behaved dogs in the park!!

She never barks, (only heard her bark 6 times now in 5 years!) and is so friendly now, it goes to show that, these dogs, just like people can be manipulated to do bad things, and this breed aims to please their owners. So when I see all these biased media reports, it makes me very angry, its never the breed, its the owners!!!

My dog Bella, was considered a red zone case, and was going to be put down, and I am so happy that I had saved her. She not only surprised me, but all the other "owners" of what a dramatic change she and I had created. Even the Mail Lady loves to see her and always has a treat for her! All it took was a little time, compassion, understanding and common sense.

Any dog, any breed, no matter how bad they seem, can always be rehabilitated!!! I cannot say the same for some of us humans!