I just had to write something about the new Pitbull/ Bully breed law in Maryland. I don't currently live in Maryland, but I grew up there and I work there. I work with dogs everyday and I have one of my own, a 3 and a half year old American Bulldog. He was rescued from the local Humane Society and I have no idea of his breeding background. All I know is that I fell in love with him the first time I saw him. He was dropped in the emergency pen as a puppy with a severe skin infection, he was under weight, had a broken tail and had the biggest brown eyes I had ever seen. He had every right to be mad at the human race for treating him this way and taking it out on any human that came his way, but he just wanted someone to love him.
I am not a dog person, but I fell in love with this little guy and begged them to let me take him home. I had some idea of what I was getting into because of my Veterinary background, but I knew that it would be a challenge to have him accepted into the community because of what he was.They finally gave in, and I brought him home to my then 4 cats and was convinced he would fit right in. He did, he got along great with the cats, made himself right at home on my couch and instantly became part of the pack. Best of all, my neighbors loved him. He was very shy, but quick to be won over by a treat and a few pats on the head.
Over the next 8 months we were in the Veterinarians office for care every week for the first 3 weeks, then every 3-4 weeks, and then once a month until his skin was clear of infection and mites and his vaccines were up to date. With a lot of visits to the vet and lots of love by the staff and everyone else he met, he is a happy, healthy 100 lb. lap dog. He loves everybody and every thing, he has helped me raise and care for 2 litters of kittens, and he sleeps with 2 cats practically on top of him every night. When we go for walks in our neighborhood, we still have a mixed bag of reactions. I have the woman that yank their kids off of the street because they think this vicious Pitbull is going to eat them, when in all reality he just wants to lick and play with them. Then I have the people that think he is handsome and want to pet him and want to know what kind of dog he is. When I tell them he is an American Bulldog, which is related to the Pitbull, they say they have always heard that they are vicious, all the while they are still petting him and loving all over him.
I know that my dog is not just the exception to the rule. Bully breeds are very loving, intelligent and loyal dogs that make great family pets. The problem arises when you get these dogs into the wrong hands. People start using these big brawny dogs as a status symbol and they teach them bad manners. These owners make it tough on the people who love, care for and nurture their dogs to be good members of the community. Discriminating against the whole breed as a group is just not fair.
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