About The Dogs

For those who don't know, the first picture of the Rottweiler is FattBoy, one of the 2 dogs that belong to our neighbors sons. They have been just as much our dogs as they are their dogs and they have been here since they were tiny pups. They are only a few months younger than Rebel, who will be 7 years old this February. They are not nice dogs to any one or any thing they do not know. They are, in my opinion, completely insane. Yet, to Rick and I and the people they know they are some of the sweetest, most loyal and loving creatures. Because they have spent their entire lives on 10 foot chains, wallering around in they're own waste, and mud, often tangled so they couldn't reach the poor excuses for dog houses that they have, they have become products of their environment, mean as hell and tougher than the devil himself!
I will use this post in a few ways; to tell the story of a nasty fight, and how these situations can be avoided, and to share the lessons that can be learned from the dogs in your life as I have learned them from mine.
      First of all, I am a dog lover. I love all dogs big and small, mean or sweet. But my focus has and always will be on the "Bully-Breeds". Pit Bulls, AM Staff's, mastiffs, bulldogs, etc. Why? Because I share much in common with them, and I have a deep understanding of what makes them tick. Let me say this while we are here, I do not condone any kind of violent activity such as fighting, or using these dogs for attack or protection. It is dangerous to encourage or to draw out aggressive behaviors in a creature that is basically a huge muscle that has flesh ripping teeth and a high tolerance to pain! It makes no sense at all to bring home a tiny pup then raise it to kill and die bringing grief, loss and huge legal trouble that not only marks you and your family but the entire breed of bully dogs and the people who are responsible for them.
While I do not support any kind of BSL breed specific legislation, I do believe that these dogs should only belong to the people who know the breed, understand the complexities of the breed and are capable of proper care, training and handling. I do not believe that we should all be backyard breeders either, do to the countless genetic issues that cause health problems as well as mentally unbalanced dogs. Not to mention the statistic numbers coming from the dog rescues, animal shelters and vet clinics indicating that we have more unwanted dogs that have to be put down than are conceivable to any dog lovers mind! Did you know that 1 in 600 pit bull dogs are adopted, the remaining 599 are killed? Can you see my point?
It breaks my heart to know that every day they die needlessly just because they were born.
OK back to Scrappy and FattBoy.
Scrappy is the dog in the other photo. He is my little sister's dog who is temporarily staying with us. He is Boxer and Stafford shire terrier. He weighs about 60 lbs, and is healthy as can be. He is such a good dog with people, obedient, sweet and charming. Every body he meets loves him! To look at him is a moment of awe as he is just a beautiful dog. But inside of that big grinning head of his is a prey drive that would put him in the ranks of a lion! These dogs are very, very smart. That is an understatement! They are born with trouble shooting and problem solving, and they don't share that with you. They are emotionally intelligent and they are survivors. With all that comes devotion and loyalty and when they love you they commit. They have a higher than normal desire to please their people and that has no limits.
When you own a dog, you need to keep in mind that our dogs are an extension of us. The pit bull intensifies this as he is connected to your emotions, your habits and your heart.
Scrappy is every bit of that. I don't have to know what kind of relationship he had with my sister, I can see it in her dogs eyes every time I look at him. Even though he hasn't seen her for nearly3 months, he has not forgotten her. He looks for her in everything and every body. He favors me over any one because I am the closest thing he has to her. I am honored to have his respect in that way. It will be sad and empty when he goes home to her, but in the same way I will be happiest of any one to have them together again.
TO BE CONTINUED.........(after I walk the dogs tee heee!)