What's Wrong With Me?

This is a purely rhetorical question.  I'm essentially happy with myself.  Sure, there are a few "tweaks" I could do here and there, but I'm alright with the current state of imperfection.  There is one small problem that I'm taking myself to task for right now, and I don't know if it needs to be fixed or not.  My mother would definitely say yes!

I have moved from the "city" to this rural environment, which I really do love, although not without a few complaints.  My major detraction's are the lack of good paying jobs in the area, and the treatment of the area's pet population.  I'm pretty sure that given a little more time to obtain my degree, the first issue will take care of itself.  It is the second complaint that I am clueless about how to resolve, and that confusion is getting me into trouble. 

Several days ago, on a trip through the town where I live, I almost hit a dog who had wandered into the street.  My first instinct was to stop and catch this pretty little runaway, and then to find her owner.  She was dragging a heavy chain behind her, indicating that she was definitely on the lam from whatever her living environment had been.  I exited my truck and approached this dog, calling sweetly to her as I walked.  She walked slowly to me.  I'm not sure which one of us was more afraid, but in the end, I guess it was she.  The chain she was dragging weighed more than half her body weight.  It had been my initial intention to capture her, and return her to her owner, but after I lifted the chain, I had a change of heart.  There was no way I would return that sweet young dog to the people who had kept her prisoner at the end of that chain.  I took her to the police station to leave my name and telephone number, but the police officer with whom I spoke, told me that she was most likely being used to produce fighting dogs.  Yes, she’s a Pit Bull.  The breed is one of the most misunderstood breeds in the world.  

From left to right:  Rebel Lee, Sam, Dixie, Angel, Bear, Bama.  

Pit Bull, Bull Dog, American Pit Bull Terrier, whatever you want to call her.  Just the sight of her strikes terror into the soul of the person viewing her, simply because she is who she is.  So far, there have been no glimpses of a blood thirsty, man eating, dog killing machine.  Angel, as she is called, is attention seeking, docile, dog friendly, and cat loving.  I didn't need a 6th dog, but there is no place for her, if not with me.  Shelters in this state are "kill shelters".  What that means is that they kill the majority of the dogs they take in.  Where Pit Bulls are concerned, they kill them all.  This dog wouldn't hurt a fly, yet, "her kind" has the reputation of being killers.  I don't suppose that it ever occurred to anyone to look at the living environment of dogs that are guilty of hurting people to see how they have been raised. I also don't suppose that it has ever occurred to anyone to check the intelligence quotient of the people charged with raising those dogs, or to inquire about the methods used to train them. There are a few hard and fast rules when it comes raising dogs.  The first of these is that a dog’s temperament is 50% from his environment, and the other 50% is genetic.  That having been said, it is important to realize that if two dogs of aggressive dispositions create a litter of puppies, there is a very good chance that most, if not all of them, will have aggressive personalities.  If those puppies are raised by a loving, strong owner, the chances of having an aggressive puppy is lowered.  On the other hand, one of those pups, raised by someone who wants a tough dog to give him status, and has trained it by using harsh methods, tied it outside and otherwise neglected and abused it, will most likely end up being a dog that is aggressive towards people and animals.  Proponents of the breed will frequently point out that even a Chihuahua can be made to be aggressive.

According to research I have done on the internet, this breed has not been bred to be people aggressive.  Even in the fighting ring, dogs that show aggression toward the people “handling” them, are culled (translated as shot).  Their European counterpart, the Staffordshire Terrier, was known as the Nanny Dog because of their devotion to children.  

If you are interested in learning about the Pit Bull Terrier, or are interested in obtaining one as a pet, this web site has some very useful information.  http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/breedinfo.php

In the meanwhile, I am looking for a good "indoor" home for this very sweet girl.  I will keep her safe until I can find a good home, with strong, knowledgeable people, who will love her for the rest of her life.  She wants nothing more than to have her belly rubbed, or to lay with her head on your lap.