I have had a lot of experience not only with "bullied breeds", but with canines
in general.
I have always loved mastiff type dogs. My parents had a Boxer before I
was born and I grew up looking at pictures of him. I was always fascinated by the shape of their head and body, and how
you could see every muscle on them.
When I was about 16 I started working at a shelter, and one day a 5 month old
female rottweiler was surrendered by her owner. She had been badly abused. She was not underweight but had been
burned with cigarettes all over stomach and had whip marks on her body, from what we suspect was from a chain. My boyfriend decided
that he should adopt her and give her to my parents, brother (who was 5 at the time), sister (13 at the time) and myself.
My parents were a bit apprehensive about getting another dog. Not because she was a Rottweiler, but because we already
had a Border Terrier named Maggie. We finally talked them into letting us have her and "Molly" has been a
part of our family ever since.
Molly is the most gentle "lap dog" you could ever want as part of your family.
I remember a year or two after we got her I went outside to check on my brother.
Him and his friends were all playing with Molly in the back yard. I think he had every kid in the neighbourhood there.
The kids ranged in age from about 4-8 years old. The kids were jumping on her and pulling on her ears and not once did
she even raise an eyebrow at them.
About a year ago, her best friend "Maggie" the Border Terrier passed away.
Molly was so depressed that they had to get her a new friend, even though they always said they would never get another dog.
They now own a Pomeranian named "Kiara," who, by the way takes a round out of Molly's nose if Molly tried to bug her while
she has got her beloved ball. But not once has Molly ever snapped back.
My sister once brought home a 6 week old kitten to show my parents. While
the kitten was playing on the floor, Molly stood as still as a statue, as if making sure not to step on the kitten while
he pawed and clawed at her legs.
She is an extremely smart dog, learning quite a few tricks and for some reason
her favorite word (even though it isn't actually a word) is "pootinky." She will get very excited and look at every
spot or pin prick in the wall.
Molly is an amazing dog. She does, however, still have some issues
with men in hats. We imagine that it stems back to when she was abused from her previous owner, who was a man.
About a year later, while working at the shelter, we got a call saying
that someone had been bit by a Pit Bull, so badly that they needed stitches and that they were bringing him out to us.
The car pulled up and they brought him inside. A few minutes after the men left, we got a call from a business across
the road telling us about how they saw the people bring this poor dog out. He was tied around the neck by a piece of
bailer twine and attatched to the side mirror of the car. These people had driven all the way across town towing
this terrified dog behind their car. I was furious! Especially since the people that did this should have known
better.
After settling the dog in and deciding that this was not a vicious dog,
I quickly called the only hospital in town. I told them who I was and asked if there had been anyone come in for stitches
due to a dog bite. Their answer was just as I had suspected. "No, no one has come in." We soon found out
that the lady that claimed she had been bitten, just didn't like the dog and didn't want it anywhere near where she lived.
Three months went by as this dog sat in one of the cages, while the responsible
owners, fought desperately with the "big shots" to get their beloved dog back. Not once did the people who were deciding
his fate even come out to the shelter to meet him. I am certain the made their wrongful decision soley based on the
breed name. I would have loved to have given him back to them. Unfortunately, I would have been in a
LOT of trouble if I would have. Sadly the "big shots" decided that the dog would be euthanized.
He was a gentle dog. IF he would have bitten someone it would have been
for a very good reason. The three months he was in the shelter we never encountered a problem with him. He never
snapped or snarled at anyone that came in. He was always friendly and made sure he greeted everyone. I'm sorry
there wasn't more I could do for him.
A few months ago I aquired a 2 year old, male American Staffordshire Terrier
(Amstaff) named Magnus. What a crazy dog he is. I don't think he will ever run out of energy.
I never truly realized how bad breed discrimination was until just recently.
I always knew it was a big problem, but I didn't realize exactly how big.
A couple weeks ago the city held their annual Picnic In The Park. It's
a get together where families in the city and surrounding areas can come and enjoy music, games, hotdogs and a car show
in the park.
I decided that I would take Magnus with us. He is so wonderful and gentle
around people, children and other animals. I didn't see a problem with bringing him.
As we walked through the crowds of people I understood that there are some
ignorant people out there. My mom, who had brought her pomeranian with her, was stopped by a family who asked to see
her dog. I turned around to go back and wait for her, and the minute the lady saw Magnus, she screamed and jumped back.
It took some convincing on my part to explain to her that he would not hurt her and that it was ok for her to pet
him.
We went on our way and as we walked, Magnus weaved back and forth on his leash
trying to say "hello" to everyone. If I was Magnus, I think I would have gone home cried.
People were literally jumping out of the way, parents telling their kids not to come near him because he is a "mean
dog." One lady, when we walked by, even said that people shouldn't be allowed to bring their dogs to public functions.
Little did these people know that Magnus is a TRAINED THERAPY DOG and would NEVER hurt a fly.
I wish people would not jump to conclusions about the disposition of a dog by
judging them from their looks.
For those people who tell their children "not to come near a dog because it
is mean," you should be teaching your child about the joy dogs can bring, not teaching them that dogs are monsters
that will hurt them, which in almost all cases is the furthest thing from the truth.
It's good to be cautious. Teach your children not to run right up to a
dog, but to ask the owner if it is ok to pet their dog.
