So yesterday about 4:30 PM, I am getting ready to leave the house in the village to go to the farm to teach a lesson. My two girls,(dogs) had been kenneled while I was gone in the morning and were full of energy.
As I made my way to the door the two of them bolted out the door. OK my bad, but this rarely happens- maybe 3x out of 365 days. They played in the yard and then went across the street into a parking lot of the local Headstart. A young woman was pulling out of the parking lot as I called the girls and they obeyed to return to our yard.
The woman, stops the car and says, "Excuse me. Are your dogs ever out during the day as there are small children coming in and out of the school?" I responded," No, the girls are typically on a leash, rarely ever off leash," and I explained the event that just happened. She says,"Oh I was just wondering as there are small children in and out of the school," to which I said, "The girls have been here for 3 years, as have the children going in and out and there has never been a problem. They are very child/family friendly." To that she said,"Oh, I don't have a problem with the breed, Pit Bulls that is, I was just curious."
So what did I learn? People's image of the breed is so generalized, but I can also respect the fact that this amazing breed was once bred and conditioned for a very sick purpose. This is why it is so important for the community to see the "good ones." It is also why I feel as a Staffordshire owner, which is what my girls are, I need to be vigilant to keep them safe and the community appeased. I carry the guilt that my girls are always on a leash, even though they stay in our yard, (except for the 3 out of 365 days for 3 minute) return to my command b/c I know how some feel about the breed.
However, I do wonder did she ask the same questions of the black lab owner down the street or the golden retriever owner next door. I can't be sure....but I imagine not.
Thanks for letting me vent.
As I made my way to the door the two of them bolted out the door. OK my bad, but this rarely happens- maybe 3x out of 365 days. They played in the yard and then went across the street into a parking lot of the local Headstart. A young woman was pulling out of the parking lot as I called the girls and they obeyed to return to our yard.
The woman, stops the car and says, "Excuse me. Are your dogs ever out during the day as there are small children coming in and out of the school?" I responded," No, the girls are typically on a leash, rarely ever off leash," and I explained the event that just happened. She says,"Oh I was just wondering as there are small children in and out of the school," to which I said, "The girls have been here for 3 years, as have the children going in and out and there has never been a problem. They are very child/family friendly." To that she said,"Oh, I don't have a problem with the breed, Pit Bulls that is, I was just curious."
So what did I learn? People's image of the breed is so generalized, but I can also respect the fact that this amazing breed was once bred and conditioned for a very sick purpose. This is why it is so important for the community to see the "good ones." It is also why I feel as a Staffordshire owner, which is what my girls are, I need to be vigilant to keep them safe and the community appeased. I carry the guilt that my girls are always on a leash, even though they stay in our yard, (except for the 3 out of 365 days for 3 minute) return to my command b/c I know how some feel about the breed.
However, I do wonder did she ask the same questions of the black lab owner down the street or the golden retriever owner next door. I can't be sure....but I imagine not.
Thanks for letting me vent.