Do you remember your 1st dog? The one that your parents said you shouldn’t get because it’s a lot of responsibility and expense? The one that became your best bud and you couldn’t imagine life without?
These weren’t my sentiments last fall when I received a text from our youngest son asking for extra allowance to take a dog to the vet. Of course, my natural, maternal response was “WHAT DOG”? He answered back with a text photo of a scrawny, brindle pup that looked like it had been pulled from the dumpster at the local convenience store. Not to mention…GASP…
…the puppy was a PIT BULL!
No, not this Pit Bull, but you get the point.
What was our son thinking? I tried to reason with his insanity. We didn’t raise him this way. We are a cocker spaniel kind of family. Wouldn’t another breed with a better reputation be a more sensible choice for a college student?
In the end, nothing I said mattered. The pup had already branded paw prints on his heart and was marking our family tree. As they say, ‘Love is Blind‘ and folks this is Bruin – the my master rescued me from a questionable breeder in the Tuscaloosa mall parking lot because he felt sorry for me – pit bull terrier puppy or mixture thereof.
During their first weekend home, my curiosity was tested by both Bruin and son. Bruin was timid and son displayed a newfound sense of responsibility (meaning he didn’t sleep-in until noon). Son even demonstrated how to dispense the correct amount of puppy chow, as if his mother had never used a measuring cup.
Secretly hoping to exorcise the doggie demons I was sure Bruin innately possessed, I channeled Aibileen from The Help. Repeatedly I whispered “Bruin, You is kind, you is smart, you is important“.
Heck it couldn’t hurt. Dogs, like children, believe what we tell them.
See how Bruin’s trying to scare the bejeezus out of us with all his puppy viciousness? Stay calm and repeat after me, “Bruin, You is kind, you is smart, you is important“.
By Christmastime he knew basic commands, including sit, down, shake and roll over. He was leash and house-trained and loved to play chase and fetch. He made both human and canine friends at the doggie park.
Still, I knew he was baiting us, ‘putting on airs’ as we say in the south; pretending to be something he’s not. Patiently waiting for us to let our guard down so he could go for our jugulars.
By gosh, look what he’s doing to the reindeer toy. Repeat after me, “Bruin, You is kind, you is smart, you is important“.
By spring break, Bruin’s become better trained and even more well-behaved. The family loves him, friends are offering to dog sit, and I’m beginning to feel a lot like…
…Hilly Holbrook. UGH!
Did I unfairly dismiss Bruin and discriminate against him because of his breed? Was I somehow mislead by the stereotypes surrounding pit bulls and their owners? Yep, from the onset, I was an official “pit bull Hilly”.
Unlike Hilly, I kept an opened mind and heart, learning that not only are pit bulls kind, smart and gentle; they’re loyal, eager to please, athletic and make great companions. I am proud to call Bruin my granddog and even though he’s not a cocker spaniel, love him dearly.
On a related note, the Animal Farm Foundation is collecting photos from “pit bull” families across the county aimed at challenging the damaging stereotypes and misinformation about the breed and its owners. The collection, called The Majority Project, showcases the majority of “normal” pit bull owners while empowering them to stand up against discrimination and prejudice.
The false belief that only criminals and reckless people want “pit bull” dogs leads to restricted adoption policies, breed specific legislation, and other discriminatory policies.
John Bernthal, of Walking Dead fame, is the spokesperson for The Majority Project’s Public Service Announcement. I recently heard this PSA on our local radio station.
The Majority Project PSA from Animal Farm Foundation on Vimeo.
If you’re a pit bull owner or know of one, I highly encourage you to participate in The Majority Project by uploading your personal “family” photo. Together maybe we can change the perceptions of the pit bull Hillys, and if not, they can have a slice of Minny’s homemade chocolate pie. Just sayin.
Closing this tale with a wagging tail; and in honor of Bruin on National Dog Day!
This is hilarious Cheri!!!!! Bruin has more manners than any dog I’ve ever met. I think he and Mason rescued each other. Let me know when I can babysit!!!
Thanks for the compliment; I’ll let Bruin (and Mason) know!