We may have a new addition to the household....

[caseysmom]

Well as I told Rachel in a PM none of it is worth everyone's friendships here. Whether we misunderstood or she feels that way sincerely she has the right to feel that way. I told Rachel I do get defensive about pitties and I don't really know why. When I volunteer at the shelter there are so many remarks from people that are hurtful and the pitties have been the best of all the dogs there though I will admit the sheer size of their jaws did intimidate me at first.

Anyway I am sure everyone knows Rachel has a kind heart and I don't want to see her hurt.

[carole]

Honestly this is silly she has every right to feel the way she does,it is not for any of us to tell her different, many people own pitties and love them very much and have no problem with them, well that is fine, but it is a personal choice and she was not trying to offend anyone, to take offence to her comments to me is a little on the sensitive side, i think one should be more open minded,an example i simply adore cats, but i can still understand people not wanting to own one or having an interest in them, now if someone stated they hated cats, that i would have a problem with.

I have to say that in NZ, the only attacks have been from pitbulls,and there have been quite a few recently, so naturally it makes one wary of the breed ,that does not mean to say all pitbulls are dangerous,and i strongly believe it has a lot to do with how the owners raise them.

This appears to be a storm in a teacup to me, and i think there is no way Rachael should have been attacked for this comment.

[4 Dog Mother]

I did not want a pit bull in this house or have my brother own her. No offense, but I was nervous the entire time. I just didn't trust her for some reason, even only at 6 months old.

I don't usually repond to these kind of posts because so many of you jump on people for what I consider to be no good reason. Do each of you consider every word you type before you post? If you do, how does that make you feel? I feel this is a place I can come and post what I am thinking, my concerns, my happiness and like so many others to vent about things if I feel a need. Do you know for sure the way you are reading this comment is the exact way she meant it?

I look at that post and see she is nervous around pit bulls - well, I have to tell you I am too, I have no experience with pits, I do have experience with adding many different kinds of dogs to a "pack" of dogs and I can tell you it is not always easy to get someone to fit in with the others. Rosie and Annie have been a pack for a long time. Another dog, any dog is going to upset them. Tucker created all kinds of havoc at my house - and he was 2 lbs when we got him. Dazzi and Pippi got into several painful and expensive fights over him. The other dogs didn't appreciate his nipping at them all the time which would set Pippi off trying to protect him. He got caught in one of the fights and had several cuts.

And the complete other factor that none of you are considering is that is Rachel and her brother are living in their parents house! A puppy needs a lot of attention and supervision. She may have meant she didn't think her brother should have a pit bull because he is not around enough to give the dog the training that he needs.

But the factor remains, Rachel has a right to her opinion. Why can't we each stop trying to take offense at something someone says and just accept that person for what they say even if it doesn't fit our own beliefs. When I was Rachel's age I had very little knowledge of dogs in general let alone certain breeds. Back then, there were a lot of breeds I would not have considered for my dog. But, I won't bother saying which ones because I don't need to offend any one else. As far as I can remember, I don't remember Rachel being one of the ones who attack (for lack of a better word) others for their opinions - so why hurt her feelings for expressing whatever she feels.

[Daisy and Delilah]

The point in this entire situation is that Rachel is entitled to her opinion just like every other person in the world. Some people give their opinions here, but, at the same time, ridicule her for giving her's. That makes no sense to me.

It's a plain and simple fact that some dogs(breed specific or not)scare people for certain reasons. That's life. Not malicious thoughts, as some have implied. Just because this is a pet board, it doesn't mean we're all bound by law to unconditionally love every dog we see.

I am really disappointed at some people's reactions and hurtful words that sometimes come out on this board in a normal discussion. It's totally unwarranted and uncalled for.

I usually don't get involved in things like this but I think I know Rachel pretty well. She is one of the kindest, most sensitive, caring, and, compassionate people I know. In addition, genuine and loving towards her pets and family. It is far from her character to be hateful towards any animal or person. Give her a break and a break to those that have tried to defend her. She doesn't deserve to be treated like an ignorant, uneducated person. She deserves respect like everybody else in this community.

[Cookiebaker]

Rachel, I completely understand and stand behind you 100%. Good for you for realizing what would/wouldn't work for your situation. That takes maturity and thinking things through. And thank you for your blunt honesty...we need more people like you! I'm sorry that people jumped on you and I hope you come back sometime 'cause we need more Anna and Rosie pictures.

I don't blame you for being intimidated by pitties....So am I, and it certainly doesn't mean that I am biased or hate them. I would have had the same reaction as you to the same situation. I love pitties, but especially when they are in the care of a knowledgable and capable trainer. They are NOT a breed from someone who is "new" at training.

{{hugs}}

[AdoreMyDogs]

Rachel you did nothing wrong. Some people jump to conclusions and it's too bad. One sentence has produced some very irrational venting. It's a shame, you're such a nice girl. I also have found pits intimidating sometimes, although I've met lots of wonderful pits. It's ok to be concerned and it's ok to be nervous of an animal. Daisy and Delilah (sorry I don't know your name) couldn't have said it better.

I hope you come back soon.

[Pam]

I responded in the other thread where Rachel said that she is taking a break from PT but feel that, since this thread is probably the cause, I should reply here too. Some of you will not like this but it is my opinion and I am completely entitled to it. I MYSELF would never own a breed that has been in the news as much as pit bulls have. There are too many awesome dogs out there that come with no baggage or reputations. That is just my opinion.

I recently saw a show on Animal Planet where a dog (not a pittie) who had been rescued from a bad situation, had bitten a trainer who was working with him to rehabilitate him. The dog later on, after even more sessions with the trainer, bit him yet again. The trainer insisted that the dog not be put down and he would continue to work with it in the hopes of getting it adopted out. That program really made me mad. Why was so much time and effort but into rehabilitating that dog when it could very likely go to a home where it would bite yet again and maybe maul a child? Why not concentrate on getting some of the sweet souls who are languishing in shelters, and ultimately being PTS, adopted? I personally do not see putting anyone in a potentially harmful situation, no matter what the breed, but if someone else wants to adopt them that is fine. It is just not for me.

The subject of pit bulls is a heated one for sure, much like declawing a cat. People can really get nasty with their replies. At the end of the day, each of us has an opinion and we should be free to express them.