Greetings All,
To add my 2 cents to the discussion:
And to further illustrate how far pittbull hysteria can go--
My oldest daughter has 3 pitt bulls. All of them are big (very big, in fact) cuddly lapdogs. She somehow got involved in the pitt bull rescue organization here in Lake Charles. I don't know any details about that organization, but I assume they take surrendered or "taken" dogs from bad owners, etc.
Anyway, she simply could not keep three big dogs in her little house and little yard, especially since one was pregnant.
I talked to my wife, she was adamant against it, not because it was a pitt bull, but because she thought it was a big dog, and would eat her little dog, and the cats.
But I finally talked her into it, because the dog I wanted was well known to her. She knew it had not only a gentle disposition, but it was young and trainable, and had acted very submissive and obedient around my four younger daughters, who lived at home with us. her name is Darla-- she's a beautiful white pitt bull with a black patch over the left side of her face-- I couldn't call her "Petey" as in the "Our Gang" 1930s comedy shorts that she resembles so much, but in a nod to the series, we named her after the "leading lady."
So, the dog came to live with us, and everything has gone well. Except for the fact that this very powerful dog can clear a six-foot high fence when she gets a running start. Keeping her in the yard, though it is plenty big enough for her, has been a problem. Fortunately, the neighbors know her and she is gentle and submissive to them; they simply call me or bring her back.
Here's the rub: when my in-laws found out we had gotten a dog, they were happy-- until Grandma found out it was a pitt bull. Immediately, she told us we had to get rid of the dog. Or else "she would never come to visit again." No compromise, no discussion. She did explain that when she was a little girl, she saw a playmate mauled by a pitt bull.
Needless to say, this has started a major "situation" in our home.
I told my wife, even after we've had the dog for a month now, that I would give her up to "straighten the situation out." I was hoping, of course, that she would not make me give up the dog. I was hoping she would see just how unfair and unreasonable Grandma's demand was. I even wrote Grandma a well-thought out defense of my position. With no luck.
My wife agreed. She thought her mom's position was indefensible, and not justifiable, when considering the demand linked with the consequences.
So, the dog remains, and it will be interesting to see how holidays play out. I've made concilliatory gestures, volunteering to put her at the kennel during their visits, things like that; but, no response yet. And thanksgiving approaches. It doesn't help that my wife was always the "black sheep" of her family-- she is using this situation to remind herself that she was always on the outs with her parents, and I suppose it is bringing up lots of buried bad blood.
An illustration over how far people can take hysteria over a breed of dog. I never had anything for or against these dogs, but now I am definitely "pro" pitt bull.
Greetings from CajunLand USA South Louisiana Sid Barras
