Bonita of Bwana
Looking at your pictures a lot of things flashed through my brain .... ( yes I actually have one!! ) And I hope you will not be offended by these random observations. The first was what joy in the eyes of these dogs having fun ! Playing and living in the moment , not holding back but going for the ball and the bounce !! Made me smile.
No I'm not offended, it is actually interesting on some things the way people see them.
Then I thought about all of the Pit Haters, and I know some think I am one. I admit I do not trust them.... but I do NOT hate them!! With that flash I thought. " wow some of these snaps could be made to look like something they are NOT". As easy as it is to be misunderstood in the cyber word, you would think a photo would assure clarity !?! But they don't...perception is a very odd and personal thing. I know if I took the time to look at my own photos I could find the same possible flip and flop thoughts. But as some one recently warned me about the internet it isn't always what you share in truth and fun, it can come down to what someone with an agenda wants to make of it.
I really haven't been here long enough to form an opinion about other members, so I had no clue of any things you might think about Pits.
Even a picture is open to interpretation, what one sees vs another. I've been on the net long enough to experience this.
A photo similar to this got the reaction -oh that dog is so scary, I don't hate Pits but they are very intimidating and everytime I see one I shudder was basically what they expressed. Everyone perception of scary or intimidating are different, but I can't find how this particular Pit of mine could be considered so scary. Sure some Pits do look scary, even if they are big softest their physical appearance is rather intimidating, true of other breeds too, but a picture like this I just don't get it. They always had the same thing to say about Pits anyway, how scary they were, ect when a Pit topic came up. Really didn't bother me.
A photo of an excited Pit ready to get a tennis ball was a dog ready to kill something, an aggressive dog that wanted to lunge for a cat. Its amazing what people with agendas can say. Do they actually believe what they say (I mean that would be that I'm baiting my dog with a cat when I take pics) or are they just trying to stir the pot? I go with the latter, I realized it is just a forum for flaming. They gang up to attack others, then are at each others own throats, they tried to get me to play the game (PM me to attack a poster), they will tell someone to do one thing but if another person does it they will say to do the opposite and be sure to use a bunch of insults. One person was accused of being a stupid, irresponsible breeder because they ended up with a dog that had to be neutered. I thought that there is a chance a pup won't turn out, even from good breeding, but nope a reputable breeder always picks the best puppy and knows if a pup will grow an inch too tall. At least in their world.
As a person with a trained eye I can see the muscle and tone, the being bred closer to standard rather than being a road worked steriodal looking version of the breed...and there is a moment of mental applause .... in the next instant I find myself thinking I need to send you my recipie for Satin Balls and Mom's never fail Tortilla Soup that would" cover the ribs and fatten up the pups" I wonder why despite knowing a lean dog is healthier and going to live longer I have this need to put some weight on thin dogs, even salukis! ??!!
It is just a natural response, when people see rib they think skinny dog. Even if you know if its not something you are totally used to and fine with it will always bug you. The your dogs are starved or need to eat more comments don't bother me any more, I've had Pits too long and I'm just used to it now. Most people are used to seeing overweight dogs. My friend doesn't like lean ribby dogs, but knows that is how they are supposed to be (besides having the pits they also have a sight hound too), still bugs them even when it is their own dogs.
I see the snap of a tired and happy dog , tongue lolling out and eyes closed with blissful exhaustion because an owner cared enough to play with him making sure he had a wonderful day, then I see the chain lead and even knowing he may be a chewer and this is a safer alternative I flip to the stereotype hidden in my brain of the junk yard dog that needs a tow chain to keep it from busting out....
I think again all part of what the person wants to see. I could see that if it were the case, if the dog was attached to A tow chain and B was appearing to be aggressive. Like a junk yard type dog that is thought of being confined to a chain or within a secure fence for the purpose of reacting very aggressive to anyone who is within sight and attacking those who enter. Neither of these apply to this photo or this dog. He is licking his chops but I assure you he did not have the neighbors child for a snack. People do need to know more about Pits and understanding that they are strong and determined, why certain things are used, just like with any breed. Many would rather jump to the conclusion that the dog is aggressive and must be kept from busting away because it will kill all the other dogs in the neighborhood and attack all the grannies. They are so aggressive is what they have in their own mind. When common sense should tell them that no matter how friendly a dog is it shouldn't be running at large and just because it might break/escape one thing over another doesn't mean its badly trained or aggressive. Some breeds are prone to being escape artist because of there traits whether it be strength, agility, determination, problem solving skills or a number of these.
You have some lucky and happy dogs and I tip my hat that in a day when breed prejudice is everywhere you obviously take the time to play with them and gift them with love and fun. I just wish some of the snaps were of them with teddie bears and in flower beds ... What odd thoughts this morning !! Must have been the late night feast of Artichokes ??
Bonita of Bwana
Thanks.
I don't have a flower bed and I don't go out of my way to take cutsie pics. I have other pics besides the playing and exercise photos. However these are my most recent photos and this is what we do spring, summer and early fall. I do not try to hide the fact that APBTs have drive and energy that need to be worked off, they should be lean and hard muscled, they like to play and play, they need exercise, some can be a handful and are not always the easiest dogs to keep in more ways then one. I also don't try to portray them as working dogs only because they are a great dual purpose family and companion dog. They are not a dog that can't settle down, that must constantly be worked or go stir crazy, they are good with children, they can be very gentle with small pups, kittens, any type of baby really, they can be very smart and while they are a versatile working breed they also have the versatile to double as an excellent and intelligent family dog that adapts easily to pet life of which some actually thrive on and have a strong bond to their owner. Only chosing one side or the other would not best represent them. However these are the ones I took and since I'm new here you have not seen the other past cute or regular ol' pet photos. So its understanable that you would wish to also see those. Actually these are the other shots that I thought would be neat, but I did not have much time yesterday pretty busy, it only took 20 mins for me to do what I wanted but I was hard pressed for time. Maybe these are not the cutest doggie photos ever but I was going for a Chrismas in July theme.
People with certain breeds or dogs doing certain things just have to get used to the critics and take the good with the bad. Rottweiler owners who work their dogs might post pics of their dogs playing, sleeping, with children, doing silly things but just the same they will post the pics of the dog in training wearing a prong collar in which they are called cruel or their dog doing the bite work in which they are said to be making the dog an aggressive attack dog. Most often people judge who don't understand or take the time to at least learn before they form their opinion.