Must Love Dogs?

'What I haven't decided, yet, who are the biggest morons: the hysterical, sensation-seeking and ill-informed media, or the gutless, insecure-with-their-masculinity, microcephalic mental-midget losers who abuse animals, in this case one of America's icons: The American Pit Bull Terrier.' ~ Andrew Rosza

I cringed when I read it...a tiny woman in Seattle mauled by two pitbulls. She had to have surgery to attach her EARS, for crying out loud! ..... http://www.nwcn.com/statenews/washington/stories/NW_091008WAB_woman_mauled_pit_bull_KS.6240e996.html

So what's the deal? Are these irresponsible pet owners who have created a monster through abuse or neglect? Or an unpredictable breed, a ticking bomb with teeth that could explode at any moment?

We have a pitbull named Ginger. She is the sweetest dog you've ever met. I'm not biased...I actually don't like dogs. Seriously. I don't. Granted, puppies are cute and I will politely pet my friends' dogs knowing how much THEY love them, but I am a dog avoider, through and through. I hate it when they jump on me, hate it when they sniff my crotch, hate it when they rub their wet dog nose all over me and worst of all, the TONGUE....if my friends really knew what I thought of dogs, some would disown me I'm afraid. So I pretend to this day to enjoy their dogs' company and put up with the annoying canine habits I despise. But Ginger...

She was part of an abandoned litter, most likely due to their breed. Most of the puppies died in a hot Texas desert but a compassionate Navy family saved two, Ginger and her brother. They were fed with droppers and nursed back to life and good health. Soon after, the family was relocated to Everett WA and were unable to keep the pups, again because of their breed. Their landlord provided the 'it's you or the dogs!' ultimatum and the family posted a desperate plea on Craig's List for homes. Ginger's bro found a home right away but it was down to the wire for her. If shuttled to the nearest animal shelter, she faced certain death - the Snohomish County shelter used to automatically kill pits upon arrival, regardless of health status and behavior. Maybe they still do.

Don had been parusing the CL posts for at least a week. He had his heart set on a pitbull puppy - they're smart, loyal, beautiful dogs and he assured me they were not a violent breed and that a handful of unfeeling, selfish dog owners had ruined America's perception of pits through several high profile cases souped-up by the media. At that time, I had a friend who is very active in the pit-rescue world and works tirelessly as an advocate, which also helped with my decision. So when Don found this post saying Ginger would be dropped at the local Murder Shack, we jumped on it and he drove to get her that night.

Adorable...no other word described our new family member. She was fairly docile for a puppy - even with my inexperience I could see that. I chalked it up to all the changes she had endured in her short life. She learned quickly and enjoyed the kids so much. Don took her to work with him every day so she wasn't alone and worked to train her on the canine basics.

Truthfully, my trepidation has never completely subsided. I'm very aware that any domesticated animal has the possibility of exhibiting unpredictable and sometimes dangerous behavior. Take my husband's run-in with death at the hands (paws) of a lovable Lab at five years old. It's an amazing story, really, and the attack ends with him waking up bloody and confused with the Lab kneeling several feet away, its head down, unmoving. He later told his mom that he saw an angel there, holding that dog's head down with its celestial hand of protection.

A violent Lab? Every breed has its misconceptions and prejudices. I notice my neighbors' faces when Ginger runs out the door occasionally. Or when friends with small children come over for the first time. I totally get it.

But Ginger had proved over and over that she is nothing but a dog who, more than eating or breathing, wants to please us... that she loves us with an unconditional doggie kind of love that makes her almost pee herself with glee everytime she sees us.

She's a keeper.